The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-05
CHAPTER XLIII


gone out that way and rebOlted the door
on the inside.
CHAPTER XLIII
"CKEEL!-This amt the age OF
~ miracles, Mr.. Vance"
Vance swung about and faced
Markham.
Listen! I'm telling you Jessup's
innocent" He spoke with a fervor
that amazed me. And I'm going to
prove it to you-Some way.
my theory is pretty complete;
it's deficient only in one or two
small points; and, I confess, have
not yet been able to put name
to the culprit. But it's the right
theory, Markham, and it's diamet-
rically opposed to the sergeant's.
Therefore, you've got to give me
an opportunity to demonstrate it
before you proceed against JeSsup.
Nov, I can't demonstrate it here;
so you and Heath must conner with
me to the Odell house. 1t won't
take over an hour. But if it took a
week. you'd have to come just the
same"
He stepped nearer to the desk.
At know that it was Skeel, and
not JeSsup, who unbolted that door
before the crime, and rebolted it
afterward.'
Markham was impressed.
You know thiS-you know it for
a fact?"
Eyes! And I know how he did
it,"
(Monday, September II,
1880 a. m.)
Half an hour later we entered
the little apartment-house in Sew
enty-flrst st.
Despite the plauSibility Of Heath'S
case against JesSup, Markham was
not entirely satisfied with the ar
rest; and Vances attitude had sown
further seeds of doubt in his mind.
The strongest point against Jes-
sup was that relating to the boiling
and unbolting of the side door; and
when Vance had asserted that he
was able to demonstrate how Skeel
could have manipulated his own
entrance and exit, Markham, though
only partly convinced, had agreed to
accompany him.
Heath, too, was interested, and,
though superciliouS. had expressed a
willingness to go along.
Spively, scintillant in his choco-
late-colored suit, was at the SWITCH
board, and stared at us apprehen-
Sively. But when Vance suggested
pleasantly that he take ten-nin-
ute walk around the block, he ap-
peared greatly relieved, and lost no
time III complying.
The officer on guard outside of
the Odell apartment came forward
and saluted.
How goes it?" asked Heath.
ANY visitorS?"
only one-a toff who said he'd
known the Canary and wanted to
see the apartment. I told him to
get an order from you or the dis
trict attorney"
THAT was correct, officer" said
Markham; then, turning to Vance:
Probably Spotswoode--poor devil"
Quite" murmured Vance. 80
persistent! Rosemary and all that.
Touchin'."
Heath told the officer to go for
a half hours stroll; and we we're
left alone.
And now, Sergeant" said Vance
cheerfully, I'm sure you know how
to operate switchboard.
BE so kind as to act as Spively S
understudy for a few minutes
| there's a good fellow But, first,
please bolt the side door-and Ibe
sure you bolt it securely, just as it
was on the fatal night
Heath grinned good-natlredly.
Sure-thing" He put his fore
finger to his lips mysteriously, and
cruoching, tiptoed down the hall
like a burlesque detective in farce
After a few moments he came
tip-toeing back to the switchboard
his finger still on his lips. Then
glancing surreptitiously about him
with globular eyes, he put his mouth
to Vance's ear.
"His-s--t!" he whispered. "The
doors bolted. CIR. :" He
sat down at the switchboard. When
does the curtain go up, Mr.. Vance?'
Its up, Sergeant" Vance fell
in with Heaths jocular mood. BE
holdl The hour is half past nins
on Monday night. You are Spively
not nearly so elegant; and you
forgot the mustache-but still Spiv-
ely.
And I am the bedizened Skeel
For the sake of realism, please try
to imagine me in channels gloves
and pleated silk shirt.
"Mr. Markham and MIR. Van Dine
here represent the many-headed
monster of the pit.-And, by the
bye, Sergeant, let me have the key
to the Odell apartment; Skeel had
one, don't y know"
Heath produced the key and
handed it over, still grinning.
"A word of stage direction" Vance
continued. when I have departed
by the front door, you are to wait
exactly three minutes, and then