Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16

AUS ~ O'CLOCK. what time Goes tne
''Ten?" Vance verified the hour. my
world It's later than thought. :"
look Of anxiety passed over his set
features. II wonder II I could have
miscalculated this whole affair"
He put out his cigarette and began
pacing back and forth. Presently he
stopped before Markham, who was
watching him uneasily.
When I sent Salveter away" he be-
gan slowly, IT was confident that the
expected event would happen forth
with. But I'm afraid something has
gone wrong. Therefore, I think had
better outline the case to you now"
He paused and frowned
However" he added, 1T would be
advisable to have Scarlet present. I'm
sure he could fill in few Of the gaps"
Markham looked surprised.
What does Scarlet know about it?'
ooh, much" was Vance's brief re-
ply. Then he turned to the telephone
and hesitated. He hasn't q private
phone, and / don't know the number
of the house exchange. :"
That's easy" Heath picked up the
receiver and asked for certain night
official of the company. After a few
words of explanation, he clicked the
hook and called number. There was
considerable delay. but at length some
one answered at the other end. From
the sergeant'S questions 1t was evident
Scarlet was not at home.
THAT was his landlady," Heath eX-
planned disgustedly when he had re-
at 8 o'clock-said he was going to the
museum for a while and be back at g..
Had an appointment at 9 with a guy at
his apartment, and the guys still wait
ing for him. :"
I'VE can reach him at the museum.
then" Vance rang up the Bliss num-
Der and asked Brush to call Scarlet
to the phone. After several minutes, he
pushed the instrument from him.
Scarlet isn't at the museum, either"
he said. HE came. so Brush says, at
about and must have departed unob-
served. He's probably on his way back
to his quarters. Well wait while and
phone him there again"
rs 1t necessary to have Scarlet
here?" Markham asked impatiently.
mot precisely necessity" Vance re-
turned evaSively; but most desirable.
You remember he admitted quite frank
ly he could tell me great deal about
the murderer"
He broke of abrutly, and with tense
elaboration selected and lighted an
he stared fixedly at the floor.
Sergeant" he said in a repressed
tone, 81 believe you said Mr.. Scarlet
had an appointment with some one at
o'clock and had informed his land
lady he would return at that hour"
That's what the dame told me over
the phone"
please see If he has reached home
yet
without word Heath again lifted
the receiver and called Scarlett's num-
Der. A minute later he turned TO
Vance.
"He hasn't shown up"
"Deuced queer" Vance muttered. 81
don't at all like this, Markham :"
His mind drifted off in speculation
and it seemed to me that his face paled
slightly
SI'm becoming frightened" he went
on In a hushed voice. 1--WE should
have heard about that letter by now.
ahead"
He gave Markham look of grave
and urgent concern.
I'VE can't afford to delay any longer.
It may even be too late as 1t Is. We've
got to act at once" He moved toward
the door. Come on, Markham. And
you, sergeant We're overdue at the
museum. If we hurry we may be in
time"
Both Markham and Heath had risen
as Vance spoke. There was a strange
insistence In his tone, and foreboding
of terrible things In his eyes. He dis
appeared swiftly into the house; and
the rest of us, urged by the suppressed
excitement of his manner, followed In
silence. His car was outside. and few
moments later we were swinging dan
gerously round the corner Of Thirty.
eighth street and Park avenue, headed
for the Bliss Museum.
CTo be continued)