Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-15
1NsTALLMRNT xxxrv.


Vance, Markham and took q
II j tAxleab back 70 vance's apart
ment. It was nearly O'Clock,
but Markham showed no indication Of
going home. He followed Vance up
stairs to the library and. throwing open
the French windows. gased out into the
heavy, Tnist~laden night. The events OF
the day had not gone TO HIS liking: and
yet realized that his quAndAry was 20
deep that he felt disinciined TO make
any decisive move until the conflicting
factors OF the situation became more
clarified. ~
The case at the outset had appeared
simple, and the number Of possible sus-
poets was certainly limited. I But, de-
spite these tive facts, fher> was q subtle
and mysterious intanefbillGy about the
affair that rendered q drastic step Inn
possible The elements were too fluid,
the cross-currents Of motives too con-
Trajectory Vance had been the first TO
sense the elusory complications, the
first to indicate the invisible paradoxes;
and so surely had he put his ringer
upon the vital points Of the plot--so ac-
curateiy had ne foretold certain phases
of the plots development-that Mark
ham had, both flguratively and literally,
stepped into the background and per-
mitted him to deal with the case In his
own way.
Withal. Markham was dissatisfied and
impatient. Nothing definitely leading
to the actual culprit had, so far as
could be seen, been brought TO light
by Vance's unprofessionai and almost
casual process of investigation.
We're not making headway, Vance,
Markham complained with gloomy con-
Germ, turning from the window: eve
stood aside all day and permitted you
to deal with these people as you saw
them and your familiarity with things
Psychological gave you an advantage
over impersonal ofiicial croSs-question-
ing. And also felt that you had q
plausible theory about the whole mat.
ter which you were striving to verify
But KYle's murder is as far from q
solution rs 1t was when We first' entered
the museum"
You're an incorrigible pessimist,
Markham" Vance returned, getting into
a printed foulard dressing gown. 1T
has been Just IS hours since we found
Sakhmet athwart Kyle's skull, and you
must admit, painful as IL may be TO
district attorney, that the average MUIR
der investigation has scarcely begun In
so brief time"
I'm the average murder case, how
ever" Markham retorted acidly, wed
at least have found lead or two and
outlined O workable routine. II Heath
had been handling the matter he'd
have made an arrest BY nOw--the felo
of possibilities is not an extensive one. "
"I dare say he would. He'd no doubt
have had every one in jail, including
Brush and Dingle and the curators Of
the Metropolitan Museum. Typical tao
tics: butcher innocent persons to make
a journalistic holiday. I'm not en-
tranced with that technique, though
I'm far too humane-Ive retained coo
many Of my early illusions. Sentiment
tally, alas! win probably be my down.
fall"
Markham snorted and seated himself
at the end of the table. For several
moments he beat the devils TATTOO on Q
large veIium-bound copy Of "Malleu'
Maleficarum."
"You told me quite emphatically," hi
said, that when this second episode
happened-the attempt on Bliss life
you'd understand all the phases Of the
plot and perhaps be able TO adduct
some tangible evidence against Kylei
murderer. It appears 70 me, however
that tonights affair has simply plunged
us more deeply into uncertainty"
Vance shook his head seriously l.
disagreement.
"The throwing Of that dagger and
the hiding and finding of the sheath
have illuminated the one moot point
in the plot"
Markham looked up sharply.
You think you know now what the
vance carefully fitted a Reggie into a
long jet holder and gazed at q small
Picasso still-life beside the mantel.
Eyes, Markham" he returned slowly
IT think ] know what the plot IS
And If the thing that I expect to hap
pen tonight occurs, / can, ] believe,
convince you that ! am right In my
diagnosis. Unfortunately the throwing
of the dagger was only part OF the pre-
arranged episode. As said 70 you 8
while ago, the tahleau was not COM
pleted. Something interviewed. And the
flnal touch--the rounding -out OF the
episodes yet to come" ~.
He spoke with impressive Solemnity.
and Markham, could see, was strongly
Influenced by his manner.
Have you any definite notion" he
inquired, what that final touch will
prove to be?" :,
"Oh, quite. But just what shape II
viii take / can't say. The plotter him.
self probably doesn't know, for he
must wait for . propitious opportunity
But 1t will center about one specific
object, or, rather, clue--a painted clue,
Markham. That clue has been care
fully prepared, and the placing Of 1t 4
the only indefinite factor left.
Yes, am waiting for 8 specific item
to appear; and when 1t does I can
convince you Of the whole devilish
truth"
"When do you figure this final clue
will turn up7" Markham asked un-
easily.
"At almost any moment" Vance
spoke in low, level and quiet tones
Something prevented its taking snaps
tonight, for 1t is an intimate corollary
Of the dagger throwing. And by re-
fusing to take that episode too seriously
and by letting HAM find the sheath,
made the immediate planting. Of the
Anal clew necessity. Once again we
refused to- fall into the murderer's
trap--thoush, as I say, the trap was
'Tm glad to have some kind Of
explanation for your casual attitude to-
night" Despite the note Of sarcasm
in Markham's voice. 1t was abvious that
at bottom he was not INDUCING In
structures upon Vance's conduct. He
was at sea and inclined, therefore, to
be irritable. "You apparently had no
interest In determining who hurled the
dagger at Bliss pillow"
But, Markham old dear, ] knew who
hurled the bejewelled bodkin." Vance
made q slight gesture Of Impotence.
My only concern was with what the
reporters call the events leading up to
the crime"
Markham realized It was Of no use
to ask, at this time, who had thrown
the dagger; so he pursued his COM
ments on Vance's recent activities at
the Bliss house r.
'You might have got some helpful
suggestions from Scarlett--he evidently
was in the museum during the entire