The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-18
SYNOPSIS

Who killed TRACY KING. or.
 cheslra leader found dead in his
 apartment?
 DAVID HARVESTER, author,
 former newspaper reporter, un-
 oerenke8 Co llnd out.
 Police are searching for an
 e'unknoWn bIOnd'' who visited
 King shortly before his death.
 Bannister has seen thls girl, but
 she has disappeared since.
 HERMAN SCURLACH. who
 wrote King . threatening letter, Is in jail. He declares his inn0-
 cence. Bannister works on the
 case with J. RANDOPH
 GAINEY, star reporter Of the . Post. In the dead mans apart mcnt Bankster picks up an old- fashioned wedding picture which
 AL DRUGAN, friend ofl Kings says tho orchestra leader has
 been having trouble with JOE PARRO7T, his former vaude- vile partner, and accuses Par rOtD of the murder.
 Bannlster tells CAPTAIN Mc- NEAL of the detective bureau about a quarrel between King and MELVINA HOLLISTER,
 middle-agcd spinster, after the Kings cat killed her canary. McNeal decides to investigate.
 CHAPTER XVIII
 McNeal parked the police car and climbed out, following Ban mister. Halfway to the entrance of the Shelby Arms, the door open- ed. A group of young people three men and two girls-appear- ed. They were laughing and talk ing rather noisily. The girls wore evening wraps over bright dress es. One of the men had on a top hat.
 As Bannister and McNeal passed them the girl in the fur jacket was singing the words of a popular song.
 McNeal snorted. "A lot of diff ference it makes to them that a man was murdered here last
 ''No," said Bannister soberly, q don't suppose 1t does"
 They went inside the hotel. The entrance looked almost exactly as 1t had that afternoon. The same girl sat at the switchboard. Link, the clerk, was speaking over a telephone. He put down the in- strument as they approached.
 Good evening. Captain McNeaP' he said with elaborate cordiality. Good evening! Is there any thing"
 McNeal interrupted. explaining briefly why they had come. A few moments later he and Bannister stood before a doorway in the, sec Ond floor corridor,
 McNeal knocked but there was no answer. He knocked a second time, louder. A third knock and the captain began to fume im- patiently. "They're there!" he scolded. Link said so. I'll--"
 THe words died as they heard. a bolt turned in the door. Then the door opened inward slowly. Through slit of not more than two inches voice asked sharply, "Who is it?"
 McNeaps answer was prompt and impressive. There was mo- ment of delay. Then the door opeaed wider. Through the open ing a woman peered out at them. Evidently she was satisfied or con- cluded it would be best to comply with McNeaTs request, for she stepped back and said in the same sharp tone. You can come in."
 There was single lamp in the room, reading lamp of rather old fashioned design. Beneath the beaded fringe of the lamp shade' a bright glow fell on a circle six or seven feet across. Beyond this circle the room was almost in dark ness.
 It took an instant for Bannister's eyes to accustom themselves to the dim light. Then he saw that the woman before them was tall and rather squarely built. Pale eyes measured the two men from head to foot. The woman's hair was worn pompadour fashion and fastened high on chr head in a style of 25 years before. She had a large nose, dominating the slcn- der face, and her thin lips were drawn into a straight line. Her dress was of dark silk, high at the neck, with lace collar about the throat. Over her shoulders was drawn small knitted jacket. She Was an impressive figure and at the same time forbidding one.
 You're Captain McNeal?" the woman asked, and the captain nodded.
 The pale eyes darted toward Bannister. "Then who's he?" she demanded.
 For an instant McNeal looked perpexed. Then he said shortly, "Friend of mine. We'd like, to talk to you a few moments, Miss Hol-- lister. suppose we can sit down?'
 She motioned toward chairs. sat down rather heavily in the nearest Her odd, high-pitched voice went on sharply. "What'd you come here for?"
 McNeal looked nettled. He was accustomed to doing the question: ing himself. "We came" he said crisly, ito find out what you can tell us about Tracy King, the young man who was murdered up- stairs"
 "Oh!" The line of Miss Hollis ter's lips became straighter than ever. There was pause-a mo- mcnt oddly 'tense-and then she went on. "I can tell you" she said 'that Tracy King was an evil man. He indulged in strong drink. He was sinful and dissipated. At night when decent folks were asleep in