The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-16

II don't know just what to say.
He was wildly in love with Marcy;
and she led him on, too.
But she was sorry for it after
ward, because he got jealouSElike
a~crazy person.
"He used to poster the life out
of her. And once-do you know!-
he threatened to shoot her and then
shoot himself.
"I told Marcy to look out for
him. But she didn't seem to be
afraid. Anyway think she was
taking awful chances.
ooh! Do you think it could
have been-do you really think-?"
"And wasn't there any one else?"
Vance interrupted, who might have
felt the same way?-any one Miss
Odell had reason to fear?"
mo" Miss La Fosse shook her
head. Marcy didn't know many
men intimately.
"She didn't change often, If you
know what I mean. There wasn't
anybody else outside of those you've
mentioned, except, of course, Mr..
SpotSwoode.
HE cut Pop out-several months
ago. She went to dinner with him
Monday night, too. I wanted her to
go to the Scandals with me-that'S
how know"
Vance rose and held out his hand.
you've been very kind. And you
have nothing whatever to fear. No
one shall ever know Of our little
visit this morning"
who do you think killed Margy?"
There was genuine emotion in the
girls voice.
"Louey says it was probably some
burglar who wanted her jewels"
I'm too wise to SOW diScord In
this happy menage by even ques-
tioning Mr.. Mannix's opinion" said
Vance half banteringly.
mo one knows who's guilty; but
the police agree with Mr.. Mannix."
For a moment the girls doubts
returned, and she gave Vance a
searching look.
"Why are you so interested? You
didn't know Marcy, did you? She
never mentioned you"
Vance laughed.
my dear child I only wish 1
knew why I am so deuced con-
cerned in this affair. Pom my word,
can't give you even the sketchiest
explanation.
mo, I never met Miss Odell. But
it would offend my sense of pro-
portion if Mr.. Skeel we're punished
and the real culprit went free.
Maybe I'm getting sentimental. A
sad fate, what?"
st guess I'm getting soft, too"
She nodded her head, still looking
Vance squarely in the eyes.
1T risked my happy home to tell
you what I did, because somehow I
believe you. . . Say, you weren't
stringing me, by any chance?"
Vance put his hand on his heart,
and became serious.
my dear Miss La FoSse, when I
leave here it will be as though I
had never entered. Dismiss me and
Mr.. Van Dine here from your mind
Something in his manner ban
ished her miSgivings, and she babe
us kittenish farewell.
Thursday, September Is; after
noon
my sleuthing goes better" ex-
ulted Vance, when we we're again in
the street.
Fair Alys was veritable mine
Of information-eh, what? Only
you should have controlled yourself
better when she mentioned heE
beloved's Numerically. you should
Van old thing. I saw you jump and
heard you heave. Such emotion is
most unbecoming in a lawyer"
From booth in a drug store
near the hotel he telephoned Mark
ham: st am taking you to lunch. I
have numerous condolences I would
pour into your ear"
A debate ensued. but in the end
Vance emerged triumphant; and a
moment later a taXicab was driving
us down town.
"AlyS is clever-there are brains
in that fluffy head" he ruminated.
She's much smarter than Heath;
she knew at once that Skeel wasn't
guilty.