Evening star., 1928-06-14

word "And since you we're once on
| friendly terms with Mr.. Greene, you
doubtless know certain things about
his past which may have some bearing
on the present situation for it is not
at all impossible, d. ye see, that the
| crimes committed here during the past
\ few days are connected with matters
| that took place years ago. We don't
/ know this. OF course, but we'd be very
much gratified If you would try TO help
us in this regard"
AS he was speaking the woman had
drawn herself up. Her hands had
| tightened as they lay folded in her lap,
and the muscles about her mouth had
stiffened
Il don't know anything" was her
only answer.
How" asked Vance evenly, "do you
account for the rather remarkable fact
I that Mr.. Greene gave orders that you
were to remain here as long as you
cared too?"
"Mr. Greene was a very kind and
generous man." she asserted, in a fat,
combative voice. Some there we're
that thought him hard, and accused
him of being unjust; but he was always
good 10 me and mine"
How well did he know Mr. Mann
heinz"
There was pause, and the woman's
eyes looked blankly ahead.
He helped my husband once. when
he was in trouble"
How did he happen to do this?"
There was another pause, and then:
They were in some deal together
In the old country" She frowned and
appeared uneasy.
When was this7"
aT H0rft rny44arobor uae hafOra Z
was married"
And where did you first meet Mr..
Greene?"
eat my home in New Orleans. He
was there on husinesS-with my hus-
band"
And, take it. he befriended you
also"
The woman maintained a stubborn
silence
"a moment ago." pursued Vance, "you
| used the phrase me and mine Have
you any children, Mrs Mannheim"
For the first time during the inter-
view her face radically changed ex-
preston. An angry gleam shone in
mol" The denial was Ike an eiacu-
lation.
Vance smoked Iethargically for sever
al moments.
"You lived in New Orleans until the
time Of your employment in this
house," he finally asked.
And your husband died there?"
YES"
That was 13 Years sgo. I under
stand. How long before that had i
oeen since you mad seen Mr.. Greene?"
About year"
so that would be fourteen years
ago"
An apprehension. bordering on fear.
showed through the woman's morose
calmneSs.
And you came all the way TO New
York TO seek Mr.. Greene's help" unused
Vance. why were you so confident
that he would give you employment
after your husbands death?"
Mr.. Greene was very good man,
was all she would say.
He had perhaps" suggested Vance.
done some other favor for you which
made you think you could count on his
generosity what?"
That's neither here nor there" Her
mouth closed tightly.
Vance changed the subject.
What do you think about the crimes
that have been cnmnIitted in this
.I dom think abodt them" she
mumhlcd. but the. anxiety in her yotce
belied the assertion
you surely must hold some opin-
ion. Mrs. Mannheim having been here
so long" Vance's intent gaze did not
leave the woman. Who. do you thilsk.
would have any reason for wanting TO
harm these people?"
Suddenly her self-control gave way.
"Du Iefber Herr Jesus! don't
know don't know!" It was like a
cry of anguish. Miss Julia ami Mr
Chester naybe-gewiss. one could
understand. They hated every body:
they were hard, unloving But little
Ada-der suisse Engel. Why should
they want to harm her!" She set her
face grimly, and slowly her expression
IT stolidity returned.
Why. indeed?" A note of SYM
After a pause he rose and went to the
window. You may return to your
room now, Frau Mannheim" he said.
without turning. I'VE sha'n't let any
thing further happen to little Ada"
The woman got up heavily and with
an uneasy glance In Vance's direction.
left the room
AS soon as she was out of hearing
Markham swung about.
Whats the use of raking I'D al
this ancient history9" he demanded
irritably. Were dealing with things
that have taken place within the past
few days; and you waste valuable time
trying TO find out why Tobias Greene
hired a cook IS years ago"
There's such a thing as cause and
effect" offered Vance mildly. And
frequently there's a dashed long IN
terval between the two"
Granted. But what possible con-
nection can this German cook have
with the present murders?"
Perhaps none" Vance strobe back
across the room. his eyes on the floor.
But. Markham old dear. nothing ap-
pears to have any connection with this
dehacle. And, on the other hand.
everything seems to have a possible
relationship. The whole house Is
stepped In vague meanings. A hun
dred sha6owy hands are pointing 10
the culprit. and the moment YOU try
to determine the direction the hands
disappear It's a nightmare. Nothing
means anything. therefore ANYTHING
may have meaning
My dear Vancel You're not your
self Markham's tone was one OF an
noyance and reproach, Your remarks
are worse than the obscure raYnbllngs
Si VIC SipyiS, Wnat II Tobias Greene
ald nave dealings with one Mannheim
IN the past? Old Tobias INDUCED IN
numerous Sh3oy transactions. If the
gossip OF 20 or 30 years ago can be cred
lted. He was forever scIrrying 10 the
endS OF the earth on some mysterious
and coming home with his
pockets lined, And it's common knowl-
edge that he spent considerable time IN
Germany II YOU try to dig up his
past Tor possible explanations for the
present business, You'll have your hands
You miSconStrue my vagaricS" Ne
turned Vance, pauSing before the ola
oh-paihting OF Tobias Greene over ths
lrAnlAnA III