New Britain herald., 1930-10-15
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Synopsis: Jack Winslow, adopted Of having murdered pr. Paul Kane, who is killed by carbon monoxidc gas poisoning. Jack, who has disap- peared, is in love with Elsa Chase, 7 beautiful crippled girl. The elder Winslow suspects she is not really a, cripple, and had asked Kane to examine her, while he has engaged G. Thorne, detective, to probe her past. 'Thorne now has turned his at tention to Kanes murder as well, however The mysterious shadow of a human being, madly dancing, has heen seen twice but it's source is un- discovered. Elsa Chase is paying hush money to Lambert, the Winslow butler, and to Mrs. Law renee" a woman who has some Told upon her. The attic room once ,. used by Jack Winslow as a chem E ical laboratory is discovered to be locked. Ferguson, the gardener, gees on Arnold Winslow's behalf, to 2 Mrs. Lawrence's rooms to try to , pTlDc 1lGT lC reveal Ter IUiu Oli Elsa. A human wreck and drug fiend, she dies of a heart attack while he is there without revealing her secret.
 Chapter 22
 THE MYSTERIOUS BILLHEAD
 Ferguson drew in long, hissing < breath. Death had stalked its prey more successfully than he.
 Swiftly he searched the woman 5 pitifully few belongings, bringing to light nothing that touched upon Elsa Chase.
 - Wrapping his fingers in his hand kerchief, he turned the hot water faucet. then washed his face and hands.
 Back once more in the tiny room, he stopped before the mirror, and using pocket comb, strengthened his unruly hair, making it lie flat across his mouth he removed the tcbacco-stained and unsightly false teeth, exposing the gums to view From an inside pocket he took out another set of false teeth and slipped them into place. These were white and even and completed hi transformation. His short motor coat had a reversible lining, and he slipped into it; his cap also was reversible.
 Going over to where Mrs. Law renee sat, with head saggine upon her breast, he stood for second by the dead woman's side, but strive self to touch her, nor to drag her 2 hands out from the drawer of the table.
 Ferguson had reached the first landing of the winding stairs when he heard the key turn in the lock Of the front door and woman came in, followed by two men.
 Come this way" he heard her say. we can talk undisturbed in here" and she led the way into the parlor. As tAe door of that room : closed, Ferguson gained the vesti- hEle and passed like an evil shadow Into the outer darkness.
 Inside the parlor the landlady peered inquiringly through near sighted eyes at her callers.
 Do I understand you gentlemen seek rooms?" she asked. 7e No" Thorne was the spokes- man, as Jim Barker, his assistant, kept discreetly silent, we called to see one of your lodgers, MT. John Winslow."
 She shook her head. There's mo- body of that name here"
 This was the number" Thorne's expres2ionless countenance gave no : indication of his sense of disap- pointment. Possibly Winslow did not give you his full name-young men are sometimes-young men," only one gentleman with me- she explained. "Dr. Sands has been my guest" bridling little, flor over five years and he-he's quite el- derly"
 My mistake" Thorne bowed : profoundly and opened the parlor door. He had wasted enough time that night. first in having blow out and on top of that he had run out of gas on lonely section of the highway from Oaklands. Walking to the nearest house. quarter of a mile distant, he had telephoned to Jim to bring gasoline. The latter had been long in coming, or so it Aseemed In his burning impatience, and Thorne locking his car, left it standing at the side of the road, and accepted a lift from a passing mo- torist. Almost at the city limits he had recognized him returning, hail. ed him, and, thanking the friendly motorist, had hastened into George town with his assistant.
 With his hands still on the door Thorne again addressed the little landlady. Are you acquainted with Miss Elsa Chase?" he asked.
 Pm sorry, but I'm not"
 ~'Never heard her name before ?"
 T can't say I have" she respond ed. And I can't say I haven't; seems to me I've heard her spoken Of"
 From upstairs came scream of prolonged intensity.
 Ma! Oh, Ma"