Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-20
lMTALLMENT TX.

THE fame popped family into life
as Delaney crossed the floor on
tiptoe and laid his ear against
i the locked portal Cameron
stood, fingers still upon the Jets
key. holding his breath and Watching.
Al the last the sergeant lifted has head
and looked about the diSorGered room.
Nothing here" he muttered, nod
ding at the locked door. Not sound.
II may have been the wind. Things
are queer III the DARK sometimes. Any
way, I'm going to--oopf
His foot. as he turned. had slipped
and Skidded Cameron saw him stare
AZ the floor and then bend down swiftly.
He was long in rising and when he drew
erect, his lace was white and one hand
was held out Stiffiy before him.
Wen break down that door, Steve.
Delaney said in a quiet voice, his eyes
upon his widely spread finger tips and
Cameron saw they were red ana gilSten-
Ing. Ne" the sergeant amended, as
his partner took a step forward. hold
on minute. Get down those stairs and
across the square 10 headquarters as
quick as you can. Bring back a couple
Of pinSh-hars and cop. This Isn't
our territory. after all. I'll wait here.
You can leave the light on, Steve, Tor j
Beneath the pressure of the bars,
thrust into the jamb by Sergt. Luigi
and 8 fat painting patrolman, the door
gToaned. Splintered and burst its lock.
The policeman staggered back as 1t
broke open 1t was Delaney, not they,
who stepped forward and bent over
what Law lax on the closet floor. as
though 1t had dropped from one of the
empty clothing hooks. The others
peered over his shoulders but they could
see little Their heavy breathing sounded
harShlv in the silent room.
Delaney rose and stepped back.
Boris" he said simply. He picked a
sheet of paper up from the Uttered ia
bic and scrubbed his fingers upon it.
mechanically There was baff3ed
frown on his forehead and his eyes
were narrow and calculating. The
others stared at the thing on the floor.
Cameron turned away quickly and
walked across to the window, his face
twitching.
Stabbed. en-" Luigi remarked. his
head In the closet.
Yes" Delaney returned abstractedly.
Better send for doctor. sergeant.
Not much use. guess. but
There's one on the way now" Luigi
reported Sent for him before we came
over We better lift him out of here.
anyhow. Catch hold. Easy now. There
W. are. Lay him over on that bed.
Gawd the man that drove that knife
had an arm on him, I'll say. Right
through the wiShbone"
Dizzy and hiccupping, Cameron
turned away from the sodden crimson
thing they had laid upon the bed. When
he looked again, Delaney had drawn
the Counterpart up about the body's
shoulders. and brought dignity out OF
horror. The tiny cone raised upon the
Counterpart BY the protruding knife
handle sent a. Shudder through the
rookie. but the austerity of the face on
the pillow was strangely comforting.
Movement came like slow miracle
into the stony visage and the silent
group about the bedside stirred withsit.
Cameron leaned over the dying man. but
the suddenly opened eyes looked
through and beyond him Boris Lyon
rruttered something weakly In strange
tongue. made two vain attempts and
then drew tTiumphantly one long, deep
breath. Dulaney. reaching past Cam
eron, pressed down the eyelids.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs and
aman entered hurriedly.
just too late, Doc" Luigi said over
you'd better get out Of here kid"
Delaney told his white patrolmate.
Go stand outside and get some fresh
air. I'll be with you in q few minutes"
Together they walked along Streke
street in silence At last Delaney spoke:
Rub it all out and do IL over" he
said with humorous bitterness.
What do you mean?" Cameron SIAM
nlered.
@Ail the while We sat In the dark
building theories" the sergeant pur-
sued. the contradiction Of 'em was "
ing in the closet. Whoever murdered
Boris was looking for something, Steve.