Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-10
The Scarab Murder Case
By S. S. Van Dine
copyrisht. 1880. By 6. 8. Van Dine.

is. you'll never be able to convict the
murderer"
you may be right" Vance admitted
Nevertheless, I'm appealing to you to
keep an eye on the situation but
warn you to be careful. The MUIR
derer of Kyle is a ruthless johnnie"
you don't have to tell me that
Scarlet got up and, walking to the
fireplace, leaned against the marble
mantel. II could tell you volumes
about him."
I'm sure you could" To my aston
ishment Vance accepted the others
startling statement without the slight
est manifestation of surprise. But
there's no need to 60 into that now"
He, too, rose, and going to the door
gave a casual wave of farewell to Scar
lett. We're toddlin along, Just thought
we'd let you know how things stood and
admonish you to be careful"
VERY kind of you, Vance. Fact is,
I'm frightfully upSet-nervous as q
Persian kitten wish could work !:
but all my materials are at the mu-
scum. I know I sha'n't sleep q wink
! tonight.
well, cheerio!" Vance turned the
door knob.
II say, Vancel" Scarlet stepped for
ward urgently. Are you, by any
chance, going back to the Bliss house
! today?"
mo. We're through there for the
! time being" Vance'S voice was quiet
and droning. as with ennui. why
! do you aSk?"
Scarlett fiddled at his pipe with a
sort of sudden agitation.
mo reason" He looked at Vance
with CONSTRUCTED brow. mo reason
at all. I'm anxious about the situa-
ton. There's no telling what may
happen"
Whatever happens, Scarlet" Vance
said, with q certain abruptness. Mrs.
Bliss will be perfectly safe. think
we can trust HAM to see to that"
Yes, of course" the man muir
INJURED. Faithful dog, HAM And
who'd want to harm Meryt?"
Who, indeed?" Vance Was now
standing in the hallway, holding the
door open for Markham and Heath
and me to pass through.
| Scarlet, animated by some instinct
of hospitality, came forward.
Sorry you're going" he said per-
| functorily. IF I can be Of any help.
So you've ended your investiga-
ton at the house?"
For the moment, at least" Vance
paused. The rest Of US had passed
him and were waiting at the head OF
the stairs. We're not contemplating
returning to the Bliss establishment
until something new comes to light"
"Rlght-o." Scarlet nodded with
curious significance. "If learn any
thing I'll telephone to you"
we went out into Irving place, and
Vance hailed a taxicab.
Food -sustenance," he noaned. Let
us see The Brevoort isn't far
away.
we had an elaborate tea at the old
Brevoort on lower Fifth avenue, and
shortly afterward Heath departed for
the homicide bureau to make out MS
report and to pacify the newspaper
reporters who would be swarming In
on him the moment the case went on
record.
"You had better stand by" Vance
suggested to the sergeant as he left US,
for I'm full Of anticipations, and we
couldn't push forward without you
"I1l be at the office till 10 tonight,
Heath told him sulkily. And after
that Mr.. Markhom knows where to
reach me at home. But I'm here to
tell you I'm disguised"
$50 are we ALL" said Vance cheer
@4;ly.
close the Office and 60 home. tSwack-
er, a bright, energetic youth, was
Markham's secretary Then the three
Of US drove to Tongue Vlue for dinner.
Vance refused to discuss the case and
insisted upon talking about Arturo Tos-
canini, the inew conductor Of the Phil
harmonic Symphony Orchestra.
"A vastly overrated kapellmeister," he
complained. as he tasted his canard
Moliere. 1T strikes me he is tempera-
mentally incapable Of sensing the classic