Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-04
The Scarab Murder Case
By S. S. Van Dine
copyrirht. 1880. By s. s. Van Dine.

In the cabinet upstairs?"
IT wasn't aware of It." she replied
listleSsly: though Tn not surprised"
did Mr.. Salveter know Of IT,"
"Oh, undoubtedly-if IL was actually
there. He and Mr.. Scarlet had charge
Of the medical supplies"
Vance shot her q quick look.
Although HAM would not admit It, !"
he said. II am pretty sure that the
tin Of opium was found In Mr.. Salve-
ter's room"
"Yes?" Il could not help feeling that
she rather expected this news. Ger
tainly, 1t was no surprise to her)
"On the other hand" pursued Vance,
'it might have been found by HAM In
your room"
"Impossiblel 1t couldn't have been
in my rooml" She Jared up, but on
meeting Vance's steady gaze, subsidized.
THAT is, I don't see how 1t could be
possible" she ended weakly.
I'm probably wrong" Vance muir
INJURED. But tell me, Mrs. Bliss, did
you return to the breakfast room this
morning for another cup of coffee after
you and Mr.. Salveter had gone up
stairs?"
Il She took a deep breath.
"Yesl Was there any crime in
that?"
After brief hesitation she answered:
mo. He was in his room-ill "
sent him his coffee"
Heath grunted disgustedly.
"A lot we're finding out" he growled.
"Quite right, sergeant" Vance agreed
pleasantly "An amazin amount. Mrs.
Bliss is helpin' us no end" He turned
to the woman again. "You know, of
course, who killed Mr.. Kyle?" he asked
blandly.
Yes knowl" The words were
spoken with impulsive venom.
And you also know why he was
II know that, too" A sudden change
had come over her. A strange COM
bination of fear and animus possessed
her; and the tragic bitterness of her
attitude stunned me.
Heath let forth a queer, inarticulate
ejaculation.
You tell us who 1t was" he blurted
vindictively, shaking his cigar In her
face, "or III arrest you as an accessory,
or as material witness :"
Tut, tut. sergeant" Vance rose and
placed his hand pacifyingly on the 9TH
er's shoulder. why be so precipitate?
1t wouldn't do you the slightest good
to incarcerate Mrs. Bliss at this time
And, dye see. she may be wholly
wrong in her diagnosis of the case"
Markham projected himself into the
scene.
Have you any definite reasons for
your opinion, Mrs. Bliss2" he asked
Have you any specific evidence against
the murderer"
Not legal evidence" she answered
quietly. "But-but :" Her voice
faltered, and her head fell forward.
you left the house about 8 O'Clock
this morning, I believe" Vance's calm
voice seemed to steady her.
"Yes-shortly after breakfast"
"Shopping?"
II took a taxi at Fourth avenue to
Altman's. I didn't see what I wanted
there and walked to the subway ]
went to Wanamaker's, and later re-
| turned to Lord e. Taylor's. Then ]
went to Saks', and finally dropped in al
little shop on Madison avenue -
"The usual routine" sighed Vance
You, Of course, bought nothing?"
Il ordered a hat on Madison ave-
nue. :"
REMARKABLE" Vance caught Mark
hams eye and nodded significantly. 81
think that will be all for the present
Mrs. Bliss" he said "You will kindly
go to your room and wait there"
The woman pressed a small hand
kerchief to her eyes and left US without
word.
(To be continued.)