The Washington times., 1932-04-16
CHAPTER "

CHAPTER Nv
what Miss Carewe says is
not an exaggeration," declared
old Rowland, with smooth au-
thority. st consider that she
is in urgent need of police ad-
vice and protection"
Out Of the pause that fol-
lowed came Colts voice, clear,
masculine and precise:
why do you think you will
be killed?"
"I have been warned Of what
will happen to mel"
Personally"
"The warming was clear
enough-for me-"
"A practical joker" he sug-
gested.
"Mr. Colt, would you consider
1t a practical joke, If you had
a dog that you had loved for
years, and someone killed him?"
"That was done to my dog a
week ago." Lola rushed on.
Into the gaze of Thatcher
Colt had leaped a gleam OF re-
Sentment-the chief was not
dog-lover, but any wanton kill
ing stirred his resentment.
"That sounds-far-fetched!"
he protested. Where was your
dog killed-in your apart
ment?"
ION the terrace, outside my
bedroom window"
"And at what hour?"
Late at night, while we were
all aSlee p-my maid, my
mother, and Christine Quires, a
girl friend who is stopping
with me-"
How was he killed." asked
Colt.
It don't know. We just
found him dead!"
HAS anything else happened
to alarm you?" asked Colt
politely.
Lola Shivered.
yesterday" she disclosed,
"my pet parrot, Pandy Boo.
given to me by my late hus-
band, also died."
"How?"
"I don't know"
''Wasn't it poisoned?"
"That's the queer part. Of
course thought so.' But I
sent the poor thing to an ami
NAL hospital. They could find
no trace Of any poison at ALL"
Colt nodded thoughtfully.
"still, isn't it probably only
a coincidence?" he suggested.
"Not after what happened
tonight"
"just listen to this, Mr..
Colt" urged Vincent Rowland,
as he leaned forward. All
eyes were now on Lola.
"Only an hour ago, found
a letter in the mail box in
the lobby Of my apartment
house, as I came downstairs
with Mr.. Rowland. You see,
Mr.. Colt, we had not intended
coming to Mayfair tonight.
We were bound for the Lions
Paw, the new club out near
Rockville Center. But as soon
as we read this note, I felt
I must get to you about it.
We telephoned your office, then
your home-your butler told
me you would be here. Vim
cent, show Mr.. Colt that let
ter"
The Message
The aged lawyer gravely pro-
duced a plain white envelope,
from which the Commissioner
drew a single sheet Of ruled
note paper. The message was
written in cheap brownish ink.
I'VE have already killed the
only two creatures that you
ever had any real love for.
Now we come to you. You
are going to die before 3
o'clock. No human being can
save you"
There was no signature. Colt
carefully folded the paper and
passed it on to me.
IF someone meant to take
your life, why warn you about
it?" he objected. frowning.
1.-THE act of sending such a
warning should be a psyche.
logical clue to the writer's
identity"
The waiter brought the dishes
for their order. Lola Carewe
toyed with her fork, then lifted
it, about to taste a curry Of
lamb AMI rice. Colts voice,
casual, indifferent, stayed her:
"I would not eat that if
really felt"
"Of course" she murmured.
"What a silly fool I would be
to touch anything now"
"Ah, my dear Colt. then you
do take this threat seriously"
exclaimed Vincent Rowland
with deep satisfaction.
Miss CareWe's life may be in
danger" granted Colt, tamping
out his cigarette. "At least,
think she should be well
guarded tonight. I shall be
glad to put some Of our picked
men at her disposal"
! A little cry came from Lola