Evening star., 1928-06-16

The Greene Murder Case
A Philo Vance Story

BY S. S. Van Dine

no possibility of recovery, even partial.
It's organic paralysis"
And atrophy?"
ooh yes Muscular atrophy Is now
pronounced"
"Thank you very much" Vance lay
back with half-closed eyes.
"Oh. not at all--And remember, Mr..
Markham, that l always stand ready
to help in any way I can. Please don't
hesitate to call on me-" He bowed
again and went out.
Markham got up and stretched his
legs.
Come: we've been summoned to ap-
pear" His faCetiouSneSs was patent
effort to shake off the depressing gloom
OF the case.
Mrs Greene received us WIN almost
unctuous cordiality
II knew you'd grant the request of
poor old useless cripple" she said,
with an appealing smile; though I'm
used to being ignored. No one pays
any attention to my wishes"
The nurse stood at the head Of the
bed arranging the pillows beneath the
old lady's shoulders.
"Is that comfortable now?" she asked.
Mrs. Greene made gesture OF an
noyance.
"A lot you care whether I'm COM
Portable or not! Why can't you let me
alone. nurse? You're always disturbing
me. There was nothing wrong with
the pillows And l don't want you in
here now anyway Go and sit NTH
Ada"
The nurse drew a long, patient
breath. and went silently from the
room, closing the door behind her
Mrs. Greene reverted to her former
ingratiating manner,
mo one understands my needs the
way Ada does, Mr. Markham. What a
/ relief it will be when the dear child
gets we'll enough to care for me again
But I mustn't complain. the nurse
does the best she knows how, / sup
pose-Please sit down. gentlemen
vet what wouldn't I give If / could
only stand up the way you can. No
one realizes what 1t means to be
| helpless paralytic."
Markham did not avail himself OF the
| invitation, but waited until she had
| finished speaking and then said:
please believe that you have my
deepest sympathy, madam You
sent for me, Doctor Won Blon said"
"Yes!" She looked at him calculat-
ingly. 81 wanted to ask you a favor"
She paused, and Markham bowed
but did not answer.
II wanted to request you to drop this
investigation. I've had enough worry
and disturbance as it is. But / don't
count. It's the family I'm thinking OF
the good name of the Greenes. n
note of pride came into her voice
What need is there TO drag us through
the mire and make us An object OF
scandalous gossip for the canaille?
want peace and quiet. Mr., Markham
/ won't be here much longer, and why
should my house be overrun with po~
licemen just because Julia and Chester
have suffered their just deserts for ne
glecting me and letting me suffer here
alone? I'm an old woman and cripple,
and I'm deserving OF a little considera-
ton"
Her face clouded, and her voice be-
came harsh.
"You haven't any right to come here
and upset my house and annoy me in
this outrageous fashionl / haven't had
minutes rest since all this excitement
began. and my spine is paining me so
can hardly breathe" She took sew
eral stertorous breaths, and her eyes
flashed Indignantly. II don't expect
any better treatment from my children
they're hard and thoughtless But
you. Mr. Markham-an outsider. a
stranger. why should you want to tor
ture me with all this commotion2 It's
outrageous
Il am sorry II the presence Of the
officers OF the law In your house dis
turbs you" Markham told her g 'ayely;
but I have no alternative. When a
crime has been committed 1t is my
duty to investigate. and to use every
means at my disposal to bring the
guilty person to Justice
"Justice!" The old lady repeated the
word scornfuily. Justice has already
been done. I've been avenged for the
treatment I've received these many
years, lying here helpless"
There was something almost teTrify-
ing in the Wonan's cruel and unrelcnt-
ing hatred Of her children, and in the
cold-blooded satisfaction she seemed to
take in the fact that two of them had
been punished by death. Markham.
naturally sympathetic, repolted against
her attitude.
However much qualification you may
feel at the murder Of your son and
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nj M