New Britain herald., 1930-10-04
A KEY COMES TO LIGHT


 lain washstand and across from the Goor was the low window, which with it diamond -paned sashes both opened inward, was admitting draught of cold air,
 ''The electric light is still burn Have you ladder?"
 Winslow crossed the bedroom to the north window, opened it and looked out. Within hailing distance Ferguson and his assistant garden CT were spreading rich soil over some of the rose beds, and cupping his hands Winslow called to Fer guson.
 Bring ladder and climb up into the window by the dogwood tree" directed Winslow. Get into the bathroom and open the door for us. Be quick
 The injunction was hardly need ed. Thorne had only time to ex- anime the contents of the dead mans bill folder before he heard Ferguson clambering through the window of the bathroom; second later the door between the rooms swung inward. Winslow's hand went instinctively to the electric switch to turn off the light.
 Leave it alone!" Thorne spoke from the window where he was ex- amining the low window easement.
 Thorne glanced back at Ferguson and his nondescript clothing. then his eyes left his face partly coe- cred by the week-o beard, and travelled down to the mans feet and his muddy tracks in a direct line from the window to the tub.
 Stand still" The detective came closer and stopped down, pointing as he did so, to Ferguson's s right boot. Sticking out from a hole in the heavy rubber sole was a small undiscovered object. Thorne pulled it out, with a jerk, then rubbed off the mud-a door key lay in his hand. With one searching glance along the floor, he swung over to the door and tried it in the lcck.
 Tt fits!' he exclaimed, and closed the door, but while the key turned the lock, the lock failed to catch.
 'The house has settled and the key won't lock the door any long, er" Winslow broke his long silence. 50 my wife had Ferguson who's handy with tools. put this brass bolt on the bathroom door. That's how it was fastened just now" He wheel ed on Ferguson. How did that key get caught in your boot?"
 Ferguson shook bewildered head. T dunno sir"
 Thorne and Winslow then re- turned to Winslow's den, and Elsa Chase's nurse was sent for.
 Miss Kline" Winslow pro- nounced her name with so much emphasis that the nurse looked at him in some astonishment. You are quite sure that the news of Dr. Kanes death has not reached your patient?'
 q am certain it hasn't" she re- piled, with equal earnestness. Miss Chase slept late this morning, and she has seen no one but me so far"
 With that the detective quietly left the room. His destination was pr. kane's bedroom, but he turned to the right instead of the left on leaving the den and did not realize his mistake until he reached the cir cular staircase. The faint whirring sound made by rubber wheels roll ing over a hardwood floor caused him to look over the stair railing into the reception hall below. AS Elsa Chase came into sight in her invalid chair, he hesitated- per- ceptibly; from where he stood he could judge nothing of her face or features as her head was bent for ward in her endeavor to find out what caused the unusual squeak in her smooth running chair. When she looked up again it was to find Thorne at her elbow.
 Can I be of service?" he asked.
 For an instant she looked at him, startled, then her lips parted in a quick bright smile, showing her pretty teeth and still prettier dim ples. If you have an oil can, yes. .'
 Unfortunately" his smile match ed hers, my oil can is in my car; I'll gladly get it." he made mo- tion toward the front door and checked himself, later. In the may we talk?"
 Her lips still smiled, but her eyes had grown watchful. "Of course" graciously; but, who is 'we'?"
 May I wheel you over there ?'' asked Thorne. holding toward settee in one corner and taking her consent for granted he pushed the chair across the hall. It was not until he was comfortably seated that he drew out his bill folder and laid one of his business cards in her lap.
 The Universal Detective Agency she repeated thoughtfully, then meeting his dark eyes: Are you MT. Thorne?"
 Yes" Following the mono. syllable reply, the detectives hands srayed to his package of cigarettes, and he half drew it out Elsa caught the motion.
 Please smoke" she exclaimed, and l will keep you company. Now Mir. Thorne, why are you herc2 Officially-or as a guest?"
 By invitation" Thorne stretched out his long legs into a more com fortable position; after the death of Dr. Kane"
 What" she exclaimed. What are you talking about?"
 "Dr. Kane's death" The detec-