Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-22

UCISN AlAo UCucAACtOE III cO1u DlOO0, Dut
attempted to kiln another decent man
and then endeavored TO saddle an inno-
cent third man with both crimes so that
he could continue digging up ancient
and venerated corpsesl Nc
wonder HAM detests him. At heart Bliss
Is q ghoul; and Hani is an honorable
and intelligent man"
II admit the law Is imperfect" Mark
ham interrupted. But your disserta-
ton is hardly helpful. We're con-
fronted with . terrible problem, and a
way must be found to handle IT,
Vance still stood there before the
table, his eyes fixed on the door.
But your law win never solve it,
he said. you can't convict Bliss: you
don't even dare arrest him. He could
make you the laughing-stock Of the
country If you tried 1t. And further
more, he'd become q sort Of prosecuted
hero who had been bounded by an in
competent and befuddIed police, who
had untustly pounced on him In q mo-
ment Of groggy desperation in order to
save their more or less classic features"
Vance took o deep draw on his ci-
garette.
Markham, old dear, I'm inclined to
think the gods of ancient Egypt were
more intelligent than Scion, Justinian
and all other law-givers combf ied.
HAM was speeding about the vengeance
Of Sakhmet; but, after all, that solar
disked lady would be just as effective
as your silly statutes. Archaeological
ideas are largely nonsense: but are.they
more nonsensical than the absurditieg
OF present-day law? :"
"For Gods sake, be stili.' Markham
was irritable.
Vance looked at him in troubled con-
Germ.
your hands are tied by the techni-
calities Of legalistic system; and, as q
result, q creature like Bliss Is TO be
turned loose on the world. Moreover, q
harmless chap like Salyeter Is TO be put
under suspicion and ruined. Also,
Meryt-Amen-A courageous lady"
a. ralize all that" Markham raised
himself, an agonized look on his face.
And yet, Vance, there's not one piece
Of convincing evidence against Bliss"
Most distressin'. Your only hope
will meet with q sudden and fatal acci-
know"
Vance smoked for moment.
eff only HAMS gods had the super
natural power attributed to them he
sighed. How deuced simplel And
really, Anubis hasn't shown UP at all
well in this affair. He's been excruciat-
Fingly lazy. As the god Of tho under
world"
THAT'S enoughl" Markham rose
an esthetic without responsibilities Is
no doubt delightful, but the worlds
work must go on -
"Oh, by all means" Vance seemed
wholly Indifferent to the others OUT
burst. st say, you might draw up 9
new law altering the existing rules OF
evidence, and present it to the legis-
lature. The only din1culty would be
that, by the time those intellectual
Sardows got through debating and APP
pointing committees, you and and the
sergeant and Bliss would have passed
forever down the dim corridors OF
time"
Markham slowly turned toward
Vance. His eyes were mere Sits.
Whats behind this childish garrul-
ity?" he demanded. you've got soTne-
thing on your mind"
Vance seated himself on the ede OF
the table and, putting out his cigart vie,
thrust his hands deep into his pockets.
Markham" he said, with serious
elaboration, you know, as well as ],
that Bliss is outside the law, and that
there's no human way to convict him.
Inc Only I1Cnh16 w WAAANkA @aS SRA@ -
brought to book Is trickery."
"Trickery?" Markham was momen-
tarily indignant.
"Oh. nothing reprehensible, Vance
answered lightly, taking out another
cigarette. Consider, Markham.
and he launched out into detailed re-
capitulation Of the case. ! could not
understand the object OF his worry
repetitions, for they seemed TO nave
little bearing on the crucial point az
issue. And Markham, also was puzzled.
but Vance held up his hand imperative
" and continued with his resume.
After 10 minutes Markham refused to
Come to the point, Vance," he said
somewhat angrily. you've gone over
all this before. Have you-or haven't
you--any SUGGESTION"
Eyes, I have o suggestion. Vance
spoke earnestly. IT'S . psycnei LOGICAL
experiment; and there Is chance thas
it'll prove effective. believe that Y
Bliss were confronted suddenly with
what we know, and II q little forcefuL
clicanery were used on him, he might
be surprised into an admission that
would give you q hold on him. He
doesn't know we found Scarlet In the
sarcophagus, and we might pretend
that we have got an incriminatin'
statement from the poor chap. We
might 60 so far as to tell him that MRS.
Bliss Is thoroughly convinced of the
truth; for II he believes that his plot
has failed and that there Is no hope OF
his continuing his excavations, he may
even confess everything. Bliss Is o
colossal egotist, and, If cornered, might
blurt out the truth and boast OF his
cleyerness. And you must admit that
your one chance Of shipping the old
codger to the executioner lies in con-
fession."
Chief, couldn't we arrest the guy
on the evidence he planted against
HIMSELF" Heath asked irritably. There
was that scarab pin. and the bloody
footmarks and the fingerprints-"
mo, no, sergeant" Markham was
impatient. 'tHe has covered himself at
every point. And the moment we ar
rested him he'd turn on Salvetsr. AL
we'd achieve would be the ruinatton OF
an innocent man and the unhappiness
Of MRS. Bliss"
Heath capitulateG.
yeah, can see that" he said sourly,
after q moment. but this situation
Stays me. I've known some clever crooks
in my day; but this bird Bliss has 'eEn
All beat. Why not take Mr.. Vance's
Markham halted il Ma nervous pac-
ing, and set his jaw.
II guess wen have to-" He Nxed his
gaze on Vance. But don't handle him
with sill gloves"
Really, now, never wear em.
Chamois, yeS--0n certain occasions. Ind
L.. 4a1 - w.fau 49,