The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-05-23


went to sleep Immediately. was ex-
hausted-"
"You turned out the lights ?" Vance
asked casually.
Naturally. And I also drew down
the shades. The street lights are
often annoying. . was awakened
by some slight noise-I cannot say
exactly what. But lay quiet for
moment, listening, and hearing moth
ing further, started to doze off again
when I suddenly became aware-I do
not know exactly how to explain it.
of the presence of some body in the
room. There was no noise or move
ment-I had a sort Of sixth sense. -"
perhaps you are psychic" sug-
gested Vance, with a slight yawn.
ut may be-" Grassi agreed. "At
any rate, I kept perfectly still and let
my eyes move about the room. But it
was very dark-there was only a
faint nimbus of light filtering
through the drawn shades. But as I
looked at the window I saw vague
shape pass in front of me, and l in
stinctively threw my left arm across
my breast, as if to ward off some
thing which felt was endangering
me, but which I did no understand.
Almost simultaneously felt sharp
sting pain in my left arm, just above
the elbow-and a curious sort Of
pressure. Whether it was the pain or
whether it was from being startled
and frightened I do not know, but /
lost consciousness for moment. I
probably tainted. -.
"When / regained consciousness I
felt warm, sticky wetness under my
left side, and the pain in my arm had
increased and was throbbing."
Grassi looked at Markham appeal
ingly. Then his eyes moved to Heath
and finally to Vance. Vance was plac-
idly smoking, as if the mans recital
had little or no interest for him. But
I knew him we'll enough to realize
that he was at this moment intensely
absorbed in the recital.
"What did you do them" Vance
asked.
Grassi took deep breath and
again closed his eyes.
81 called out several times and
waited; but as no one answered, l
arose and pressed the electric switch
by the door"
con which side of the bed did you
arise?" Vance interrupted.
con the side which you are sit
ting" Grassi informed him. "And as
soon as had turned on the lights, 1
opened the door"
Vance's eyebrows went up.
"Ah, the door was closed?"
"Not quite. 1t was, as you say, I'M
latched. Then I called again-in-
! to the hall; and the butler-upstairs
answered me. sat down on the
edge of the bed and waited until he
arrived. :"
"Did anyone else answer your sum-
mons ?"
"No. The butler went Immediately
to the telephone in the hall, down.
stairs, and could hear him summon
ing medical assistance"
| Vance rose slowly and walked to a
beautiful old Boule cabinet between
the two east windows, and ran his
fingers over the inlay.
II say, Mr.. Grassi"-he spoke
without turning round-"what about
that blood-stained bath towel in the
hamper ?"
Grassi glanced up with more alert
ness than he had shown at any time
during the conversation.
"There was bath towel on this
little stand beside the bed," he ex-
planned. "You see, I have no private
bath and the butler always leaves me
my bath towel at night. When I arose
1 wrapped it around my arm"
"Ah, yes-quite so.' Vance turned
from the Boule cabinet and walked
toward the door. "That accounts for
the fact that there are no bloodstains
on the floor"
Vance was now inspecting the lock
of the door.
elbow did it happen, Mr.. Grass"
he asked in an offhand manner, "that
you didn't lock your door before you
said your prayers and went to bed
last night ?"