Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
The Scarab Murder Case
BY $. 8. Van Dine

/ supernatural. And ! don't think the
murderer erased his 0ngorprtnts and
left those Of Dr.. Bliss. But do think,
d. ye see, that there's some explanation
which viii account for all the con-
tradictry phases Of this astonishin'
case"
Maybe there Is" Heath felt that he
could be. tolerant and magnanimous.
But I'm pinning my opinion on finger
prints and tangible evidence"
"A very dangerous procedure, SER
geant," Vance told him, with unwonted
seriousness. IT doubt II you could ever
get q conviction against DR.. Bliss on
the evidence you possess. It's far too
cbviOus-too imbecile. You're begged
with an embarras de richeSse-sneanin'
that no sane man would commit q
crime and leave 30 many silly bits Of
damnin' evidence around. And
believe Mr.. Markham win agree with
me-"
"Im not so sure" said Markham
obviously. There's something In what
you say, Vance; but on the other
hand"
Excuse me, gentlemenI" Heath had
suddenly become animated. 81 gotta
see Hennessey--I'n be back In q min
Ute" And he stalked with vigorous de-
termination to the front door and dis
appeared.
Bliss, 70 all appearances, had taken
no interest In this discussion Of his
possible guilt. He had sunk back In his
chair, where he sat staring resignedly
at the 1loor-a tragic, broken figure.
moved his head slowly toward Vance.
"Your detective is fully justified in
his opinion" he said. 1T can see his
point Of view Everything Is against
me -everythingl" His tone, though nat
and colorleSs, was bitter. "If only I
hadn't fallen asleep this morning, I'd
know the meaning of all this. :.
My scarab pin, that financial report,
those nngerprintA. -" He shook his
His trembling hands
bows on his knees, bending forward IN
an attitude q utter despair.
"It's too dAmnable, DOCTOR" Vance
hope Of q solution"
Again he walked 10 the cabinet and
remained for some time In distract con-
temptation. Mani had returned 10 his
ascetic alteration Of Teti-shiret; and
Scarlett, frowning and unhappy, was
pacing nervously up and down between
the delicate state chair and the shelves
noEoing tn0 8nAWA6ttG. MARKHAM stood
In brown study, his hands clasped be-
hind him, gazing at the shaft Of sun
shine which had fallen diegonally
through the high rear windows.
I noted that Hennessey had silently
entered the main door and taken his
post on the stair-landing, one hand
resting ominousiy In his right-hand
coat pocket.
Then the little metal door at the
head Of the iron spiral stairs swung
open and Heath appeared at the en-
trance to DR.. Bliss study. One hand
was behind him, out Of sight, as he de-
scended to the floor Of the museum.
He walked directly to Bliss and stood
for Q moment glowering grimly at the
man whose guilt he believed In. sud-
denly his hand shot Forwards was
holding white canvas tennis shoe.
eThat yours, doctorf" he berked.
Bliss gaxed at the shoe with per-
picked establishment.
''why : yes Certainly SIS
"You bet your sweet life it's yoursl"
The sergeant strobe to Markham and
held up the sole of the shoe for In
spectdon. was standing ct the dis
trict attorneys side and saw that the
rubber sole was criss-crossed with
ridges and that there was o pattern
Of small hollow circles on the heel. But
that which sent IN icy breath Of horror