Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-06-28

/ ly reason. -. Who could have guessed
It'll"
ct is not suicide, sir" Holcomb
remarked calmly; "it is-murder"
The doctor sprang backwards in
amazement. At the same time Sc
tries of deep, gurgling sounds came
suddenly from across the room, and
the three men swung around toward
the door. 1t was Jennings. He was
fattened up against the door, ap-
parently frightened into hysteria, his
mouth hanging loose, his eyes ex-
banded into perfect discs, his frail
body trembling. Suddenly he swung
around and started fumbling with
the knob frantically.
Swiftly Holcomb crossed the room.
"Just a minute, Jennings" he or
dered. What have just said must
not be repeated. Understand? Any
way, 1 think you had better remain
here for the time being"
"By all means!" Doctor Canada
agreed. "You can't, you must not re-
veal this information to Grace
Mitchell. I fear her present condi-
ton wouldn't stand it! :. You will
agree to this :. pleased"
IT won't commit myself, doctor"
was Holcomb's unexpectedly reply.
"It may become necessary to talk to
Mrs. Mitchell again before morning
I promise, however, to use every
discretion possible.
The doctors eyes snapped. Hol-
cv1nb, all sleuth now, then turned
again to the cringing butler. How
many servants are there here, Jen-
nings?" he inquired briskly.
"Three =. four, sir, beside myself"
"Where can they be located now?"
Quarters or third floor, sir-two
maids, a cook, and the chauffeur. I'll
call them"
Never mind" Holcomb turned to
Wade. Get them down, Wade" he
said. Send them in singly, and re-
main outside with them unit I have
talked with each one. Jennings,
YOU will stand outside with them. {.
You will be good enough to excuse
yourself for moment, Doctor?"
Again Doctor Canada's eyes
snapped. He had come forward and
was about to speak, when suddenly
the phone over on the desk rang out
shrilly, taking the men by surprise
: =, - -; o,.lu Ianrirpc
1t was Holcomb who crossed the
room and whisked the instrument
up. And almost instantly Wade and
the doctor were drawn toward the
desk, too. -.
That expression Of consterna-
ton on Holcomb's face! ! +!
At this point in Hubert Holcomb's
narration of the Mitchell murder
case we, Miles and I, were so hope
lessly engrossed in the spirit of the
thing that it was some moments be-
fore we became aware that our en-
tertainer had stopped talking and
was now going leisurely about the
business of filling his pipe again-so
complete had been his yarn!
Miles took the sudden halt ser1-
ously, however.
"Mr. Holcomb," he declared, Il
find you most accommodating! You
lead us spang up the side OF a Gill;
as it were, anchor us securely to a
rock-and then desert us!
Holcomb let out loud howl.
For instance" Miles went on,
jokingly. why so much mystery
when a little thing like a phone
rings?"
Holcomb paused with his pipe and
leaned far forward again at that,
Miles and I waited expectantly.
1T was a feminine voice that
came over the wires" he said final
". "She said I WARNED HIM
TWICE. HE IGNORED ME. 1T
DROVE ME TO DESPERATION"
well, for the love of God?-Mlles'
EXTRAORDINARY" agreed.
Holcomb was fumbling with his
pipe again. We wanted him to I'm
ish the yarn. Yet our experience
with him on the previous night led
US to believe that the man would
continue IN unrayel the Mitchell Muir