Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-04

A
n greet us. She had been sitting
IN by the front window, and Sal
4 a veter was leaning against the
folding doors leading to the
dining room. They had obviously taken
these positions when they heard us in
the hall, for as we came upstairs they
had been speaking at very close quar-
tiers.
I'VE are sorry to have to annoy you,
Mrs. Bliss" Vance began, courteously.
But it's necessity that we question you
at this time"
She waited without the slightest
movement or change of expression, and
distinctly received the impression that
she was resentful of our intrusion.
And you, Mr.. Salveter," Vance went
on, shifting his gaze to the man, will
please go TO your room. Well confer
with you later"
Salveter seemed disconnected and wor-
ried.
May not be present." he began.
"You may not" Vance cut in with
unwonted severity; and noticed that
even Markham was somewhat surprised
at his manner. "HennesSeyl" Vance
called toward the door, and the detec-
tivees appeared almost simultaneously.
Escort this gentleman to his room, and
see that he communicates with no one
until we send for him."
Salveter, with an appealing look to-
ward Mrs. Bliss, walked out of the
room, the detective at his side.
Pray be seated, madam" Vance ap-
preached the woman and, after she had
sat down, took a chair facing her. I'VE
are going to ask you several intimate
questions, and if you really want the
murderer of Mr.. Kyle brought to justice
you will not resent those questions, but
will answer them frankly"
1.-The murderer of Kyle is a despicable
and unworthy creature" she answered
in hard, strained voice; and 1 will
gladly do anything / can to help you. "
She did not look at Vance, but concen-
trated her gaze on an enormous honey
colored carnelian ring of intaglio de-
sign which she wore on the forefinger
of her right hand.
Vance's eyebrows went up slightly.
You think, then, we did right in re-
leasing your husband?"
1 could not understand the purport of
Vance's question; and the woman's an
swer confused me still further. She
raised her head slowly and regarded
each one of us in turn. Finally, she
said:
Doctor Bliss is a very patient man.
Many people have wronged him. / am
not even sure that HAM is altogether
loyal to him. But my husband is not
fool-he is even too clever at times.
I do not put murder beyond him-or
beyond any one, for that matter. Muir
der may sometimes be the highest form
of courage However. If my husband
had killed Mr.. Kyle he would not have
been stupid about it-certainly he
would not have left evidence pointing
to himself" She glanced again
at her folded hands. But If he had
been contemplating murder Mr.. Kyle
would not have been the object OF his
crime There are others whom he had
more reason for wanting out of the
way"
HAM, for instance?"
Perhaps"
Almost any one but Mr. Kyle" the
woman answered, without perceptible
incubation of voice.
Anger could have dictated the muir
der" Vance spoke like a man discuss
ing purely academic topic. IF Mr..
Kyle had refused to continue financing
the excavations"
"You do not know my husband. He
has the most equable temper I have
ever seen. Passion is alien to his ma
ture. He makes no move without long
elaboration"
THE scholars mind" Vance MUIR
INJURED. eyes, 1 have always had that
impression of him." He took out his
cigarette case. DO you mind If I
smoker"
do you mind if do?"
Vance leaped to his feet and extended
his case.
"Ah-RegiesI" She selected cigar
cite. you are very fortunate, Mr.
Vance. There were none left in Turkey
when I applied for shipment"
Il am doubly fortunate that 1 am able
to offer you one" Vance lighted her
cigarette and resumed his seat. who
do you think, Mrs. Bliss, was most bene-
flied by Mr.. Kyle's death?" He put the
question careleSSly, but could see he
was watching her closely.
II couldn't say" The woman was
clearly on her guard.
But surely" pursued Vance, "some
one benefited by his death. Otherwise
he would not have been murdered"
THAT point is one the police should
ascertain. can give you no assistance
along that line"
1T may be that the police have salts
fed themselves, and that merely asked
you for confederation" Vance, while
courteous, spoke with somewhat pointed
SlBIllllCdIlCt. AOOkul hL IIlC HldbVCI
coldly, the police might argue that the
sudden demise of Mr.. Kyle would re-
move thorn from Hani'S side and end
the so-called dissertation of his ances-
tors tombS. Then again, the police
might hold that Mr.. Kyles death would
enrich both you and Mr.. Salveter."
I expected the woman TO resent this
remark of Vance's, but she only glanced
up with frigid smile and said in a dis
passionate tone:
Eyes, I do believe there was win
naming Mr.. Salveter and myself as the
principal beneficiaries"
Mr.. Scarlet informed us to that eff
feet" Vancel returned. quite under
standable, don't y know And by
the by, would you be willing to use your
inheritance to perpetuate DR.. BLISS
work in Egypt"
Certainly" she replied with unmis-
taxable emphasis. IF he asked me to
help him, the money would be his to do
with as he desired :. Especially now, !"
she added.
Vance's face had grown cold and
stern, and after a quick upward glance
he dropped his eyes and contemplated
his cigarette.
Markham rose at this moment.
who, Mrs. Bliss" he asked, with
what I regarded as unnecessary agrees
sion, would have had an object in
attempting to saddle your husband with
this crime?"
The woman's gaze faltered. but only
momentarily.
I'm sure don't know" she returned