Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-11
INsTALLSIENT xxx.

E<X 6EG your PARDON, SIT
80 Vauce's valet began; but before
he could continue Vance had
risen and walked toward him.
s@Plug It IN, Currie,s he or
Gered. "I'n answer the CALI
Vance took the instrument and
leaned against the French door.
eyes yes. what has happened2"
His voice was low and resonant. He
listened for perhaps 80 seconds, his
eyes half closed. Then he said mere
IL: 'sWe1l be there at once" and
handed the telephone to Curries
He was unquestionably puzzled and
stood for several moments, his head
down, deep in thought.
SITS not what expected" he said,
a Il TO himself. 'It doesn't 1T"
Presently he lifted his head like one
struck sharply.
"But 1t does At! OF course It ntSi
It's what / should have expected:
Despite the careless pose of his BODY
his eyes were animated. 'Logicl How
damnably logicall Come, MARK
ham. Phone Heath--have him meet
us at the museum as soon as ne can
get there"
Markham had risen and was glaring
at Vance in ferocious alarm.
"Who was on the phone9" ne de.
nnanded. "And what has happenedY,,
Please DC bitAlN0AAf AN1e-A A-@@--N-.f
Vance spoke quietly. cit was DR.. Bliss
who spoke to me. And, accordin' 70
his hysterical tale, there has been an
attempted murder IN his house.
promised him we'd look In.
Markham had already snatched the
Telephone from Currie's hands and was
frantically asking for Heath's numper'
(SATURDAY. JULY "a, dl2:4o AMI
we had to walk to Fifth avenue 70
And a taxicab at that hour, and even
then there was five minutes wait until
an unoccupied one came by. The re-
sIIlt was that 1t was fully 20 minutes
before we turned into Gramercy Park
and drew up in front OF the BLISS resi-
dence.
AS we alighted another taxicab swung
round the corner of irving place ana
nearly skidded into US as us orakes
were suddenly thrown on. Inc ooor
was flung open before the CAP mao
come TO a standstill, and the bulky
fir1Ire of Sergt. Heath projected itseil
fn the sidewalk. Heath lived IN EAST
Eleventh street and had managed 70
dress and reach the museum almost
simultaneously with cur arrival
my word, sergeant! vance nalleu
him. fWe synchronize, don't KNOW.
We arrive at the same uesGlnag.a.on !. a.
the same time, but from opposiIe oi-
rections. Jolly idea"
Heath acknowledged the somewhat
eniQmatical pleasantly with grunt
aVhat,s all the excitement anyway
he asked Markham. you didn't give
me much Of an earful over the phone.
San attempt has been mace on Dr'
Bliss life," Markham told him.
Heath wIistled softly.
ssI certainly didn't expect that, SIR.
sNeither did Mr.. VANCE" The re-
ioinder was intended as a taunt
we went up the stone steps 70 the
x...,...,,,Je but before we could ring the
f,eII Brush opened the door. He placed
his forefnger to his lips. and, leaning
forward Inysteriously, said IN . stage
whisper: ...,.-
men be very quiet SO as not 70 olsI u,l
the other members Of the housenolo.
He's IN his bed chamber waiting
rr,ish was clad In q flannel robe
and Garnet slippers, but despite the
Lot s,,ltrfness Of the night he was vlsl-
hIv shivering. His face, always pale,
now appeared positively CHASTITY IN tne
dim light. - u-,s,,
closed the door cautiously Wlsn Lsnls
about and caught him by the arm
spinning him around
ssVhat do you know about the oc..
currence here tonight9" he demanded
in low tone.
The buffers eyes buIged and his jaw
sNothing-nothing," he managed to
REALLY. nowi They why are you 50
frightened2" Vance did not relax ms
STsm afraid Of this place" came the
solaintiye answer. ST want TO leave
here. Strange things are going on
$50 they are. But don't fret; youll
be able 10 look for another berth before
long"
seemed greatly relieved: But what
has happened tonight. sir?"
ssIf you're ignorant OF what has taken
place." returned Vance. rhow do you
happen to be here at this hour await
ing our arrival and acting like villain
IN melodrama2
Il was told to wait for you. sir. DR.:
Bliss came downstairs to my room
where is your room, Brush?"
"In the basement, at the rear, just
on the kitchen"
.svery good. Go on"
"Well, sir, DR.. Bliss came to my room
about half an hour ago. He seemed
very much upset. and ffightened--tf
you know what mean. He told me
to wait at the front door for you gen.
xlemen--that you'd arrive any minute.
And he instructed me to make no noise
Then he went upstairs2"
~At once, sir"
"Where is DR.. Bliss room?"
TITS the rear door ON the second
floor, Just at the head Of the stairs.
The forward door is the mistress bed
chamber"
Vance released the mans arm.
did you hear any disturbance to-
night?"
None, sir. Everything has been
quiet Every one retired early, and !
myself went to bed before IL O'Clock" "
'You may so back to bed now,
Vance told him.
Eyes. SIR" And Brush went quickly
away and disappeared through the door
at the rear Of the hall.
Vance made a gesture for us 70
follow him and led the way upstairs.
A small electric bulb was burning in the
upper hall, but we did not need 1T TO
ind DR.. Bliss room, for his door was
q few inches ajar and shaft Of light
fell diagonaily across the floor outside.
Vance. without knocking, pushed the
door inward and stepped into the room.
Bliss was sitting rigidly in a straight
chair in the far corner, leaning slightly
forward, his eyes riveted on the door.
In his hand was rutal-looking Army
revolver At our entrance he leaped to
his feet, and brought the gun UP
simultaneously.
"Tut, tut, doctorl" Vance smiled
wtimsicalIy. "Put the firearms away
and chant US the distressin' rune"
Bliss drew an audible sigh of relief
and placed the weapon on small table
at his side.
THANK you for coming. Mr.. Vance,
he said in q strained tone. "Afd you