The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-04
CHAPTER FOuRTEEN

KKTHERE is the maid now, Cap
w tain Strawn?" Dundee asked.
II haven't see her yet"
Because she's in her room in
the basement, Bonnie" Strawn an
swered. sort Of forgot about her,
didn't you?" and the chief Of the
homicide squad chuckled at the
younger mans discontinue. But I
got her story out Of her, you bet!
Nothing to it, though.
"One Of my boys-Collins, it was
found her in that short, dark hall
that runs between the Selim wom-
ans bedroom and the kitchen.
Sickern pup she was. Sad she'd
-"
I'D better have her up and ques-
ton her. if shes able" Dundee in
terrupted, as tsctfully as possible.
ut seems that she had an abb
scessed tooth out today, with gas
and local anesthetic.
Nov, Miss Raymond, will you
tell me exactly what you meant by
saying it must have been Lydia Carr
who killed her mistress?"
Z certainly will" the red-haired
girl cried defiantly. What I can't
sec is why Tracey and Lois and
Dex-Mr. Sprague didn't think of
1t, too. It's as plain AS"
Eyes, as the nose on my face,
Dundee cut in grinly, but with a
glance at Strawn. Just stick to the
facts, however, Miss Raymond, and
maybe we can all agree with you.
well, when Mr.. Sprague and /
went into the dining room, there
were Lois and Tracey cutting up
like a couple of children Janet
began. determined to take her time.
TRACEY was trying to make Lois
drink some outlandish concoction
he'd mixed in a glass, and Lois was
laughing and fighting him off.
When we came in, Lois said, Good
Lord, Tracey! Get busy! Or your
lob as bartender will be taken away
from you and Tracey began to get
awfully busy at the sideboard-"
Guess I'd better tell it, Janet,
for what it's worth" Lois cut in i'm
patiently. Its nothing more nor
less than that I had to ring twice
for poor Lydia before she came, -
she explained to Dundee.
Tracey is full of original ideas
about cocktails, and wanted some
sort of bitters. He was going to
shout for Lydia, but I stepped on
the button under the dining table,
and the poor thing-in the base
ment nursing her jaw, probably
didn't hear.
Tracey and I got to kidding, as
Janet says, and scarcely had noticed
how long Lydia was in coming.
rang again, and she came. That's
ALL"
"TNHAT isn't ALL" Janet denied
Il angrily 81 was there when
Lydia came in, and she was looking
white as ghost-except for her
swollen jaw.
whats more, she acted so dumb
Tracey had TO tell her twice what
he wanted, and then spell it for her.
And she said Mia didn't have
any of those bitters, anyway"
An open and-shut case against
poor Lydia!" Penny Grain cut in
derisively. Go pluck daisies, Janet!
You'd be of lot more help"
Here's your maid, Bonnie" Cap
tain Strawn announced Iazily, as one
of his plainclothesnlen appeared in
the arch between dining and living
rooms, dragging by the hand a
woman who was resisting strangely,
her apron pressed to her face.
You are Lydia Carp" Dundee
asked, his voice kinder than it had
been for many minutes. Don't be
afraid. And I'm sorry about the
tooth. =. Come along in. III not
keep you long"
The woman'S knees seemed about
to fail her, but with a sudden eff
fort she released the detectives grip
on her wrist.
Very tail. very bony in her black