The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-14
bV s. s. VAN DINE Az y

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Presently he went into the bath
room and remained several min
utes. When he came out he carried
a towel with several dark Smudges
on it.
This is what Skeel' used to erase
his f1nger-prints,' he said, tossing
the towel on the bed.
Marvellous" Markham rallied
him. That. of course convictS
Spotswoode
Tut, tut! But it helps substan-
tate my theory of the crime" He
walked to the dressing table and
shifted at a tiny silver atomizer.
THE lady used Coty's Shypre," he
murmured. why will they all do
it?"
And just what does that help
subStantiate?"
Markham, dear, I'm absorbing
atmosphere. I'm attuning my soul
to the apartments vibrations.
DO let me attune in peace. I
may have a vision at any moment
a revelation from Sinai, as it we're"
He continued his round of inves-
tigation and at last passed out into
the main hail. where he stood, one
foot holding open the door, looking
about him with curious intentness.
When he returned to the living
room, he sat down on the edge of
the rosewood table, and surrendered
himself to gloomy contemplation.
After several minutes he gave Mark.
ham sardonic grin.
II say! This is a problem. Dash
it all, it's lmcanny!"
II had an idea" scofTed Mark
ham, that sooner or later you'd re-
wise your deductions in regard to
SpotsWoode.
Vance stared idly at the ceiling.
You're devilish stubborn, don't
" know. Here I am trying to ex-
| tricate you from a deuced unpleas-
ant predicament, and all you do is
to indulge in caustic observations
calculated to damp my youthful
ardor."
Markham left the window and
seated himself on the arm of the
davenport facing Vance. His eyes
held worried look.
Vance, don't get me wrong.
Spotswoode means nothing in nv
life. If he did this thing, Id like
to know it. Unless this case is
cleared up, I'm in for an ungodly
walloping by the newspapers.
Its not to my interests to dis
courage any possibility of solution.
But your conclusion about Spots
wocde is impossible There are too
manv contradictory facts"
That's just it, don't v know.
The contradictory indications are
far too perfect. They fit together
too beautifully; they're almost as
fine as the forms in Michaelangelo
statue.
They're to carefully coordinated,
d We see. to have been merely a
haphazard concentration if circum-
stances. They signify conscious de-
sign"
Markham rose and, slowly return
ing to the window. stood looking out
into the little rear yard.
IF I could grant your premise
that Spotswoode killed the girl" he
said, Il could follow your syllogism.
But I can't very we'll convict a man
on the grounds that his defense is
too perfect"
What we need, Markham, is in
spiration. The mere contortions
of the Sibyl are not enough" Vance
took turn up and down the room
What really infuriates me is
that I've been outwitted. And by
manufacturer of automobile
acess'rieS! .. It's most humili-
atm"
He sat down at the piano and
played the opening bars Of
Brahms's Capriccio No. l.
Needs tuning" he muttel ID
and, sauntering to the Boule cab
met, he ran his finger over the
marquetry.
Pretty and all that" he said
"but a bit fussy. Good example
though. The deceased's aunt from
Seattle should get a very fail
price for it,"
He regarded a pendent girandole
at the side of the cabinet. Rather