Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-11
The Scarab Murder Case
By s. 5. Van Dine
copgrielil. laso. b }. >. van Dine.

sight. The dagger had undoubtedly
been thrown with great force 70 have
entered the hard mahogany wood 90
firmly; and It was obvious that II any
one had been lying on the pillow at
the time It was hurled he would have
received the full brunt Of It somewhere
In the throat
Vance studied the position Of the
dagger, gaugtng its alignment and an
gulation with the door, and then he
reached out his hand to grasp II. But
Heath intercepted the movement
use your handkerchief, Mr.. Vance.
he admonished. ''Therell be finger
prints"
"Oh. no there won't, sergeant. "
knowledge. Whoever threw that dag
ger was careful to avoid any such In
criminatin' tokens. !" Whereupon
he drew the blade, with considerable
difficulty, from the headboard and took
1t to the table-lamp.
1t was a beautiful and interesting
piece Of workmanship. Its handle was
ornamented with decorations of granu-
lated gold and with strips of cloisonne
and Semi-precious stoneS-amethystS,
turquoiSeS, garnetS, carnelians and tiny
cuttings of obsidian, chalcedony and
felspar. The haft was surrounded with
lotiform knob Of rock crystal and at
the hilt was q chain-scroll design In
gold wire. The blade was of hardened
gold, adorned with shallow central
grooves ending in an engraved PAL
mette decoration. "a similar dagger
was found on the royal mummy in the
tomb of Tut-ankh-Amen by the late
Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter
and is now in the Cairo Mlseum.)
Late eighteenth dynasty" narrmured
Vance, lingering the dagger and study
| ing its designs. Pretty, but decadent.
The rugged simplicity Of early Egyptian
art went frightfully to pot during the
opulent renaissance following the Hyk-
SOS invasion. say, DR.. Bliss,
How did you come by this fiamboyant
gewgaw?"
Bliss was III at ease, and when he
answered his tone was apologize and
! embarrassed.
1.-THE fact is, Mr. Vance, I smuggled
that dagger out of Egypt It was an
unusual and unexpected md, and purely
accidental. It's a most valuable relic,
and I was afraid the Egyptian govern
ment would claim it."
IT can well imagine they'd want to
tossed the dagger to the table. "And
where did you ordinarily keep it?"
Under some papers in one Of my
desk drawers in the study" he replied
presently. ''It was a rather personal
item, and thought it best not to list
it in the museum"
"Most discreet. =. Who besides
yourself knew Of its existence?"
MY wife, of course. and" He
broke on suddenly and q peculiar light
came In his eyes.
Come, come, doctor" Vance spoke
with annoyance. This won't do. Fin
/ fgh vOiIr sentence /"
"It Is finished My wife was the only
e Vance s Socepted q The Statement with
out further argument.
Still, he said, ANY one might have
discovered it-what?n
Bliss nodded slowly.
| Provided he had been snoopinR
through my desk"
"Eactly. When did you last see the
dagger in your desk drawer?"
| This morning. was searching for
some foolscap paper on which to check
my report for poor Kyle. !"
And who, to your knowledge, has
been in your study since We left the
khouse this afternoon?"
Bliss pondered and shortly startled
expression came over his face.
I'D rather not say"
I'VE can't do ANYTHING TO help you,
Il ! VANCE
said severely. WAS II Mr.. Salveter who
was In the study?"
Bliss paused for several seconds. Then
he set his Jaw.
"Yesi" The word fairly burst from,
his lips. II sent him to the study after
dinner tonight to get me 9 naemoran-
aAnd where did You keep the book2"
In the desk" This information was
given reluctantly. But any attempt to
connect Salveter"
Were not attensptin' jrst now "a
connect any one with this episode, .
Vance interrupted. Were merely tryir'
to accumulate all the information pos
doctor" Vance added, "that young 'i M
Salveter is--how shall I put it?--ratl1er
interested In Mrs. Bliss"
| What's that?" Bliss stiffened and
glanced at Vance ferociously. How
care you intimate such a thing2 My
mo one has criticized Mrs. Bliss ;,
vanne said mildly. And am. is
hardly the time for indignant pyo-
| Bliss sank into his chair and cov-
cred his face with his hands.
1T may be true" he conceded in a
despairing voice. I'm too old for her
TOO much absorbed in my work.
But that doesn't mean that the bow
would attempt to kill me-"
Perhaps not" Vance smoke indiffer.
emily. But who, then, do you suspect
OF endeayorin' to sever your earotad?"
II don't know don't know" The
mans voice rose pitifuily.
At this moment the door leading into
the front apartment opened and Mrs.
Bliss stood on the threshold, q long
flowing robe Of Oriental pattern draped
about her She was perfectly calm and
her eyes were steady, II q BIT brilliant,
| as they took in the scene before hef.
why have you gentlemen returned
at this hour" she inquired imperiously.
"An attempt has been made on your
husbands life, madam" Markham an
swered somberly, land he telephoned TO
us"
CTo be eontinued.)