New Britain herald., 1926-09-07
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cYCARoIYN Wells VRT G. p 9G+Szs sons

as a Dody, they've asked me to IN
stitute a search for Heath, and
also, to do what / can toward un.
raveling the mystery of Mrs. Heath:
tragic death"
Detective work. asked Larry
in nom committal voice.
Yes, but not professional. Some
men like Arthur Stone, Sam Ander-
son, and others of that. crowd, have
in a way, engaged me to do this
and I'm mighty glad to try. We are
assuming that as the nearest kin OF
Mrs. Heath, you will sanction any
and every effort to solve the nlys-
terry Of the case"
/ "Well,-I'm not sure about that. "
Inman said, slowly. II want to
know who killed my cousin, OF
course, but your blanket PROPOSE
ton as TO any and every effort
seems TO me a bit-er-unlimited.
You want to limit it," asked
Cunningham, his cool grey eyes fix
ed on Larry's face.
The latter looked up, quickly.
Perhaps not limit it,-but, rath-
er, assist in its direction"
"Oh, that's all right, we're glad
/ of any assistance. Now while I'm
not professional detective, l am
acting under authority, I am en-
| dorsed by the club, and so l trust
I'm not exceeding my rights in
asking for the freedom of the house
| for purposes of investigation"
! you mean unquestioned access
to all rooms?" Inman stared at him.
Il mean just that" and Cunning
ham stared back. Il can imagine no
possible objection. The examination
Of Mrs. Heath's room is of utmost
importance, and I'm sure Miss
my entering her ROOM
Indeed l would" and Bunny
drew herself up angrily. why
should you go into my room, Mr..
Cunningham ?"
TT is an established custom, Miss
Moore, to inspect carefully, and
with an eye to helpful evidence, all
parts Of the house and grounds in
which crime has been committed.
| am sorry TO say, the police, in this
case, have been lax in this respect.
But / am told it is due to the alb
sence of Mr.. Heath. That, however
is really an additional reason for
haste and care in the matter of
search, for Mr.. Heath's disappear
ance is a puzzle in itself, and it is
highly probable that the two mys-
teries are interdependent." 4
Now, Mr.. Cunningham" Mrs.
Prentiss broke in, you're wasting
good time, thrashing out foolish
questions. OF course, Mr.. Inman
wants you to have full swing here,
and likewise Of course, Miss Moore
wants you to make a full search.
She's new to this business and
doesn't understand. So you go right
ahead, full steam, and III bet a
nobody else has noticed. You go
into that studio there,-that's where
the awful thing happened,-andy you
see what you can see!"
Cunningham disappeared into the
studio, with young Buck following,
like a shadow at his heels.
"All rubbed down and polished
up!' cried Cunningham, disgustedly,
as he saw the spickf-and-span room.
Il did think they'd have the place
guarded from that sort of thing"
What are you out for, anyway"
asked. Teddy, who was eagerly wait |
ing to see the detective work.
ooh. just hints-but who could
get any hints here? Body gone.
Weapon removed,-even the brok-
en- bits of glass swept up! No chance
for footprints on this carpet. No
finger prints on these carefully
busted knick-knacks and oo-dads.
Even Heath's painting materials are
all put away as neatly as a lady's
work basket'
But what good would finger
prints do you? II they were those
of the family party, they would
mean nothing. And if strange ones
how would you know whose?"
Point pretty well taken. And,
I'm not really keen for finger
prints. I just want something
something indicative or suggestive. |
Well, here are some letters" He
ran over a handful he drew from a
pigeonhole.
Nothing any good! They're bills
or club notices, mostly. No billets
douX from adorins damsels or any
thing like that. My, he has lot of
pipe cleaning paraphernalia! Look
at all these contraptions."
To-day Buck gazed without inter-
est at the array OF patent devices
for cleaning pipes or cigarette hold
ors. ....'t
TOO many" he said, contemptu-
ously. AN old bit of wire does me.
And say. how tidy he keeps his
paints. Look at these water-color
boxes. All In perfect order. I
thought artists were a messy lot"
Heath isn't. He loves things or
ti'i ~ iIio WIG uiuJ wv. LOQh a.
all this glass of hers, ranged in rows
in these two cabinets. Not piece
set awry, and all shining and speck-
less"
Yes, and there's a row of old
bottles like the one she was KILL
ed with"
To-day spoke In ait stricken
tone. This business seemed a bit
gruesome to him, though he was
deeply interested,
Now, maybe, Mr.. Cunningham"
he went on, maybe the murderer,
whoever he was. touched up the
lady's face with these paints, instead
of regular cosmetics"
AL Cunningham looked up quick
ly.
1T might be possible. | can't Wis
ualize that scene. Buck. If Heath
killed his wife, l can understand his
.~.4.