The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-06-17
Chapter 29 A CHANGED LOvScHIEM

A CHANGED LovScHIEM RUT. good Lord." I said. "can't 0 the man open his own safe with. nut directions? And even SO. would le have only one copy of the combi- lation? That's just silly. He sure ' didn't expect you to believe it."
 "Yes." she said reluctantly. T hink he did. You see. 1t really Is a lew safe. know that because I've )een here. you see. and remember when 1t came. And 1t actually is a title difficult to open, and I've seen Jim obliged to follow the directions md perhaps try two or three times before he could get it open."
 It seemed. somehow, a maladroit- less inconsistent with what should lave expected of Lovscheim.
 Here's the doctor" Sue went on lbruptly. You'd better let him look tt your shoulder"
 The wound was doing very well, the doctor indicated some twenty minutes later in my own room. I walked back through the corridors md to the door of the lobby with aim. and we parted most amicably. having held an earnest conversation .or half an hour, during which nei- .her, I was convinced. understood ,ne word that the other spoke.
 Lovschiem was at the desk. He bowed greasily to the departing doc tor and then to me. inquiring how ny shoulder was doing.
 Better" said shortly to Lov. ychiem. By the way. Lovschiem, where does this priest come from?"
 "The priest?" repeated Loyschiem doubtfully. His little eyes were spec ulative. The dirty jewels on his fat dark hands winked maliciously al me.
 A distinct change had come over Lovschiem during the last two days. He was frightened. glistened uncom- fortably. and looked as if he had truly not slept; but there was some. thing more than fright and weari. ness in his face and hurried. fun. bling speech. Had not felt as did toward Lovschiem l should have called it queer sort of perplexity.
 "M'mm." he said slowly. Paris. 1 believe. Yes. Paris. He's come here for his health. you know"
 How long has he been here?"
 Three weeks. perhaps. have fl all here. Why do you ask?" e' ' DID not reply. was looking at | the bright pamphlet which came into sight as he moved the register He followed my gaze and with . sudden movement pulled the regis ter again toward him. so that 1t GOV. cred the printed booklet again com pletely.
 See here." he said with unctuous amiability. "l will show you the date he arrived; almost three weeks to the day"
 Twas conscious of his eyes follow ing me and l was wondering, not why a railroad timetable was there on the desk of hotel lobby. but why he had covered 1t SO quickly.
 "Ah. good-morning. MT. Sundean, '' boomed voice so startlingly near me that all but leaped skyward. It was Mrs. Byng, of course; or rather bundle of sha wls and fringes from which Mrs. Byng's nose and voice, each equally belligerent, emerged.
 And how's the shoulder?" she shouted. Come over here and sit down."
 At commanding gesture I sat down in the chair beside her. She looked, rather glared, at Sue Tally who stood chatting with the doctor not far away.
 Mice girl" sh went on without perceptible pause. Pretty. Who's she talking to. the doctor? Yes, see. it's him. Pretty girl-pretty girl.~ She paused. snorted. leaned nearer me and said in what passed with her for whisper: Pretty but queer"
 "Queer?" repeated. looking from the formidable nose to Sue. standing over near the gate. and back again "Queer?"
 Queer. You know the night tha poor man was murdered? Well what was she doing turning out tho lights?"
 But she didn't" said.
 The woman snorted again.
 Didn't. h'mm?" she said scorn fully. q saw her do it with my owl o-ac