Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-07
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SS0gQISI1gN0EI1GNIN1
By S. S. Van Dine

We had no more than alighted when
the other car drove up and, with
grinding of brakes, came to lurching
halt within few feet of our machine.
Vance had run back, and as the car
reached a standstill he threw open the
front door. The rest Of us had IN
stinctively crowded after him, urged
forward by some underlined sense of ex-
element and dread foreboding. The
Daimler was of the sedan type with
small high windows, and even with
the lingering radiance of the western
sky and the dashboard illumination l
could barely make out the figures in
side. But at that moment Heath's
pocket fiashlight blazed in the semi
| darkness.
The sight that met my straining
eyes was paralyzing. During the drive
| had specialized on the outcome OF
our tragic adventure, and 1 had pic
tured several hateful possibilities. But
was wholly unprepared for the revela-
ton that confronted me.
The tonneau of the Ger was empty;
and, contrary to my suspicious. there
was no sign of Won Blon. In the front
seat were the two girls. Sicella was on
the farther SIDE slumped down in the
corner, her head hanging forward. On
her temple was an ugly cut, and a
stream of blood ran down her cheek.
AT the wheel sat Ada, gloWering at us
with cold ferccity Heath's flashlight
fell directly on her face, and at first
she did not recognize us. But as her
pupils became adjusted to the glare
her gaze concentrated on Vance, and
a foul epithet burst from her
simultaneously her right hand drop
ped from the wheel to the seat beside
her, and when she raised it again it
held small glittering revolver There
was flash of flame and a sharp report.
followed by shattering OF glass where
the bullet had struck the windshield.
Vance had been standing with one
foot on the running board leaning into
the car, and, as Ada's arm came up
with the revolver, he had snatched her
wrist and held it.
mo, my dear" came his drawing
voice, strangely calm and without
animosity; you shan't add me to
your list. I was rather expecting that
move, DON'T y know"
Ada, frustrated II her attempt to
shoot him, hurled herself upon him
with savage fury. Vile abuse and un-
believable blasphemies poured from her
snarling lips. Her wrath, feral and
rampant, utterly possessed her. She was
liked a wild animal. cornered and con-
sciouS of defeat, yet fighting with a
last instinct of hopeless desperation.
Vance, however had secured both her
wrists, and could have broken her arms
with a single twist of his hands; but
he treated her almost tenderly, like q
father subduing an Infatuated child.
Stepping back quickly. he drew her
into the roadway, where she continued
her struggles with renewed violence
Come, sergeant" Vance spoke with
weary evaporation. You'd better put
handouts on her. don't want to hurt
her"
Heath had stood watching the amaz-
ing drama in a state Of bewilderment.
apparently too nonpluSSed to move. But
Vance'S voice awakened him TO sharp
activity There were two metallic clicks.
and Ada suddenly relaxed into a list
less attitude of Sullen tracta5ility. She
leaned painting against the side of the
car as if too weak to stand alone.
Vance bent over and picked up the
revolver, which had fallen to the road.
With cursory glance at it he handed
it to Markham
There's Chester's gun" ne said
Then he indicated Ada with plying
movement Of the head. Take her to
your Office. Markham-Van will drive
the car. III Join you there as soon as
I i CtIl. Yet S&DS1la 10 q ElCSDltd14
, He stepped briSkly into the Daimler
There was shifting of gears. and with
|, fcw 6eft manipulations he reversed
the CIR in the narrow road.
And watch her, sergeant" he dune
back, as the car darted away toward
: ArtlSley.
drove vance'S car back TO the city
Markham and Heath sat in the rear
seat With the girl between them. Hardly
a word vas spoken during the entire
hour-and-a-half's ride. Several times
l glanced behind me ct the silent trio
Markham end the sergeant appeared
completely stunned by the surprising
truth that had Just been revealed to
them. Ada. huddied between them. SAT
alphabetically with closed eyes, her head
forward. Once I noticed that she pressed
a handkerchief TO her face with her
manacled hands: and I thought I
heard the sound Of smothered Sohbing
But / was too nervous to pay any at
tSntion. It took every effort of my vii.
to keep my mind on my driving.
As I drew up before the Franklin
street entrance of the Criminal Courts
Building and was about TO shut of the
engine a startled exclamation from
Heath caused me 10 release the switch.
Holy mother O God!" 1 heard him
/ say III . 4Ao@1SS NC4SS. 4E1S1i SGlUEIipSC
me on the back Get 70 the Beekman
Street HoSpital-aS quick as hell Mr.
Van Dine. Damn the traffic lights.
Step on it,
Without looking round knew wha1
had happened. swung the car into
Centre street again, and fairly racec:
fer the hospital We carried Ada into
the emergency ward Heath bawling
loudly for the doctor as We passed
through the door.
, II was more than an hour later when
Vance entered the district attorneys
office. where Markham and Heath and
were waiting, He glanced quickly
round the room and then looked at our
faces.
Il told you to watch her sergeant. 4"
he said, sinking into a chair: hut there
was neither reproach nor regret in his
voice
None Of us spoke. Despite the effect
Ada'S suicide had had on us, We were
waiting. with kind of conscience
stricken anxiety. for news of the other
girl whom all of us. think, had
vaguely suspected
Continued in Tomorrow'S starr
n0NAR ~ Nx - w-W~un