Nogales international. [volume] (Nogales, Ariz.) 1926-1979, 1931-12-16
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY


Relieving then that something nigh
possibly be hidden there, made Al
investigation, and could see some small
objects lying there. Sperry brough
me stick from the dressing
and with its aid succeeded in bringins
out the two articles which were in
strumental in starting us on our brle
but adventurous careers as private N
vestigators. One was a leather razol
strop, old and stiff from disuse, AMI
the other a wet bath sponge, now
stained with blood to a yellowisf
brown.
"She is lying, Sperry," said. III
fell somewhere else, and she dragged
him to where he was found"
"But-why?"
II don't know" I said impatiently
"From some place where man woult
be unlikely to kill himself, l daresay
No one ever killed himself, for in
stance, in an open hallway. Or stopped
shaving to do it."
I'VE have only Miss Jeremy's wore
for that" he said, sullenly. "Confoune
it, Horace, don't let's bring in thai
stuff If we can help it"
We stared at each other, with ths
strop and the sponge between us. Sud
denly he turned on his heel and went
back into the room, and a moment
later he called me, quietly. ~.
You're right" he said. "The poor
devil was shaving. He had it half
done. Come and look"
But did not go. There was a
carafe ef water in the bathroom, and
I took a drink from it. My hands
were shaking. Waea turned around
l found Sgerry in the hall, examining
the carpet with his fash light, and
now and then stcosinI % run his hand
cyer the flocg.
"riothlng mere, he sald IN a low
tone, when | had joined HIM. AT least
l haven't found anything"
How much of Sperry's proceeding,
with the carpet the governess nad
seen l do not know. / glanced
up and she was there, on the staircase
to the third floor, watching us.
She came down the stairs, lean
young Frenchwoman in dark dress
ing gown, and Sperry suggested that
she should have an opiate. She seized
at the idea. but Sperry did not go
down at once for his professional
bag.
"You were not here when it oc-
Cured, Mademoiselle? he inquired.
mo. doctor. had been out for
walk" She clasped her hands. When
l came back"
"Was he still on the floor of the
dressing room when you came in :!
But yes. Of course. She was alone.
She could not lift him.
81 see,' Sperry said thoughtfully.
"No, l daresay she couldn't. Was the
revolver on the floor also?"
eyes, doctor. | myself picked it
up"
To Sperry she showed, l observed,
a slight Difference, but when she
glanced at me, as she did after each
reply, thought her expression slight
~ altered. At the time this puzzled
me, but it was explained when Sperry
started down the stairs.
Monsieur is of the police? :" she
asked, with a Frenchwoman's tlmid
respect for the constabulary.
hesitated before | answered.
am a truthful man, and l hate TN
necessary lying. But | ask considera-
ton of the circumstances. =,
81 an making few Investigations"
/ told her. "You say Mrs. Wells was
alone in the house, except for her hus-
band?"
"The children"
"Mr. Wells was shaving, l believe,
when the - er - impulse overlook
him?"
There was no doubt as to her sur
prise. Shaving? l think not. .
"What sort of razor did he ordin-
arily use?" :
"a safety razor always. At least l
have meyer seen any others around. .
There is case of old-fashioned
razors in the bathroom
She glanced toward the room and
shrugged her shoulders. Possibly, he
used others. I have not seen any"
at was you, suppose, who cleaned
up afterwards"
Cleaned up?" -,
"You who washed up the stains :"
"Stains? Oh, no, monsieur. Moth
Ing of the sort has yet been done.
/ felt that she was telling the truth
90 far as she knew 1t, and l then
asked about the revolver. :,
"Do you know where Mr.. Wells
TENT his revolver"
"When I first came it was in the
drawer of that table. l suggested thai
It be placed beyond" the children
reach. / do nos knOw where It wal
nut"