The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-13
The Vanity Case
CONTINUED from Page u

lIUM i axe ~
Prcntiss, | felt sure that you knew
something about the affair but. as
you were not called upon, you
couldnt-or didn't tell it."
well, | declared" cried the aston
ishcd woman. Now how ever did
you guess that? Here was just
discussing with my nephew whether
or no I ought to tell somebody, and
along you come! It's just provfdcn-
tial. that's what it is! You Il detcc-
tive, Mr.. Cunningham
"Wcll, ! am. but not a professional
one. As \ matter Of fact, I'm rank
amateur, but I'm working in the in
tcrcsts Of the Country Club. Mr..
Heath was member, you know, and
some of the men think they ought to
look into the matter of his strange
disappearance. And they've put the
work rather more or less into my
hands. So, as ! said. have bunch
you know something oh. ! beg your
pardon, forgive the slang!"
"No harm at ALL" Mrs. Prcntiss
bcamcd on him. "My nephew here
uses the most atrocious slang, so I'm
used to it. Well. sir. your hunch is
a right one. do know something,
though whether it's Of any account
or not. ! can't say. But seeing you
arc what you are, and sent ont BY the
club and all, don't see why !
shouldn't tell you. In fact, I'd have
told it before if I'd known who to
tell. don't altogether cotton to the
police. They're so high and mighty
and they can take what you tell 'em,
and then twist it all out of killer
until it's no use to them or anybody
else"
That's SO. Mrs. Prentiss." Gun
ningham's voice was SO deeply SYM
pathetic. "Now if you care to tell me
I'll promise you the information will
not be wasted"
"All right. I'll tell
Whereupon, Mrs. Prentiss detailed
anew her watch of the night before
She told accurately and just as she
had told her nephew at breakfast Of
the strange appearances, disappear
ances and Temperatures OF lights il
the Heath studio.
ut is a most interesting story
Cunningham said, when she had fin
ished. And | am sure it is Of tn,
utmost Importance. We're it onl,
concerning the main lights of tn
room, it would not be so peculiar
but the appearance Of the two small
sparks which were doubtless tn,
candles left there, makes it all
strong piece of evidence. which. how
ever, needs Strengthening out an
unraveling to get it's meaning. lie
US try, Mrs. Prentiss, to reconstruc
the happenings. Keep check on M
and tell me il go wrong. Now. sa,
the complete darkness at half pas
eleven meant the family and serv
ants had all retired"
Eyes, that's probably right"
"Wcn. then. say. that when dir
light appeared perhaps half an hou
later some, one came downstairs d
a .rifling crrand.--for a b,ok, Gig
arcts or some such thing"
"Yes, though that isn't very def
mite"
"Ah. you thought would be on
of those detectives who could dcduc
u man with a hooked nose and Van
dyke beard. With a slight limp an
Mrs. Prentiss laughed. apprccial
ing the banter.
"Well, go on" she said.
| "Well. the indefinite prowler cam
down stairs, snapped on small ligh
maybe desk light,-that wasn't tn
candle. was it?'
I "No. rccollcct the effect clearl!
II was doubtless, as you suggest,
small desk light or reading lamp"
"Then, in few moments come
another person. who flashes on til
full lights of the roon.''
"Of course. though, it need y,
have been another person. It ma
we'll have been the first, the indef
mite person, still hunting what I
came after"
Right! You are born detcctiy
Mrs. Prcntiss! Well, anyhow. tn,
big light stayed on till about or
o'clock. That right"
Eyes, as near as / remember I'll
: hours. Then the candles showed"
eyes, and it was during the tin
Of the big light,-between lively
!. and one o'clock, that Mrs. Heath ",
killed. Or. at least, that's tho WI
ri see it. For the candles were In a
probability. put in place % repr
sent fuperai candles. Now III
must have been done after the Ia,
!. was dead. Then, having arranfV
things 70 his satisfacti6n, the inu
derer snapped off the big light. Al
Left Isi. the ., r ns4 D whether he isst Y
"But there were more lights
and of SITTER tkst. =
"Thts is the most important
oil. Hemy belief il the truth, Oh
the crime war commi TIED just befo
the candles were lighted. then WI
ever came into that room afterkal