The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-25
CHAPTER XIII

Had Larry been less perturbed, he
must have laughed at the prompous
air and stilted diction of the coroner.
But he was dsmayed at the turn
things had taken. He had had no
doubts but the coroner would at
once assume Perry Heath guilty and
forthwith institute a search for him.
"Your assumptions are moi with
out interest, Larry said, looking at
the coroner But what, then, is the
meaning of the eccentric act of
painting Mrs. Heath's face and add
ing colorful touches to her costume?
This point was an obsession with
Mr.. Heath. but no one else would
have done such thing"
"As / understand it, nearly all Of
Mrs. Heaths friends and acquaint-
ances urged her to use touch of
makeup, and, too. we have no real
reason to assume that the rouge was
applied to Mrs. Heath's face after
she was dead. 1t may well be that
she consented to the experiment
while still alive"
Innnan looked startled.
Surely medical man can tell
you about that he said.
This speech deeply annoyed the
coroner, for he suddenly realized his
own delinquency in not having
thought Of that point.
He therefore ignored it, until such
time as he could correct his own
error.
"Then the card, of such sinister
significance. 1t is scarcely possible
that Mr.. Heath would have placed
, that where it was found, if the ter
rible deed had been really his own
work"
That's just where you're wrong,
Larry exclaimed. Perry Heath is
fluff of the spirit Of bravado, he has
a diabolical sense Of humor. 1t is
exactly what he would do-attach
grewsome signature to his own
work"
II can't agree with that. But we
are not seeking opinions. we want
facts. If then we assume Mr.. Heath
went away on some simple or casu-
al errand, where do you think he is
now"
THAT is surely a matter Of opin-
ion, Mr.. Coroner, and you say you
are out for facts. But l can't pine
about Mr.. Heath's casual Grand
if he went on one-for l am fully
convinced that he killed his wife and
then disappeared purposely and per-
manently."
Getting out of the house and
leaving no unlocked door or
window"
Surely he had his latch key"
but the front door was fastened
on the inside with a chain bolt"
"Then by some overlooked window,
or side door. perhaps"
mo, we had the most thorough
and careful search made in that re-
spect. Herrick fastened every door
and window on the inside, last night.
and he found the bars and bolts all
intact this morning"
Then / give it up, but I still feel
sure that there must be some OBJ
scure entrance or exit from this
house, that Perry Heath coud use,
is so minded"
"Will you suggest one?"
I'm the cellar, perhaps the coal
hole" ~
mot chance. Everything down
there was cut off from the main
house, by the upper cellar door, lead
ing from the pantries, and which is
the only means Of connection with
the cellar. This door was locked as
usual on the pantry side. Heath
could not have gone down through
il, and left it locked"
LET me go over the house. and
I'll guarantee ] can find several ways
he could have left his home secretly.
Lord knows I've no wish to accuse
Perry Heath of this thing if he is not
guilty, but, personally, I think there
is no slightest sign of his limo
cence."
you say you all urged Mrs. Heath
to use what is known as makeup
on her face?"
Eyes, we did. We all felt it would
improve her extremely pale counte.
nance"