The Coolidge examiner., 1935-04-19


der house at the time the crime wa
cUmmitted?"
Account for ~" the man blus
tered eIcitedly. Il can't account
for Il. Good gsd This is IN
credlblei I'm completely bowled
over
-Bui how does II happen. Major
Vance cut ln placldly. that you
have not heard OF the dogs absence
from Miss Delaheld's apartment
'uh. forgot TO tell you said the
major. and hesltated
-Ah. what did you forget 10 tel
me-"
The ina jor shifted his eyes.
Il omitted 20 mention the fact
that Miss Delaheld sailed for Eu
rope on "Wednesday night"
The night Mr. Archer Coe was
murdered. Vance said slowly.
lust 20" the major returned ag
gressively. The reason | happened
10 be at her apartment that night
vas because we were having a fare
well dinner. and was TO see her
oT on the boat"
And how does Il happen. Major.
that your dog vas not returned 10
your kennel here when Miss Della.
Beld sailed for Europe1"
The fact OF the matter ls''--
Hlggiuboitom became apologetie-
~Doris-that is. Miss Delaneld-on
my advice. left the dog In the care
of her maid. who was 10 look after
The apartment during her absence.
''On your adyice7 whyY"
Il thought II best" the njor ex.
planned weakly. You see. sir. IL I
brought the dog here II might In.
volye the situation a bit. as would
have 10 give explanations to my
wife when Doris-Mlss Deiaheld-
returned from Europe and wished
to have the dog back. And. OF
course
~Ah. yes quite understand. {"
nodded Vance. And what time did
Miss Delaheld sail Wednesday
ulghiT'
ION the Olympic-at midnight"
And you we're In the apartment
al what timer
Il called about six O'Clock and
we vent out Immediately. We had
dlnner-let me seat a little res
iaurant--l suppose you might call
u night club--snd we remained
there until II vas time to 20 TO the
boat.r
What little restaurant was itr'
Hilgginboyrom knit his brow.
Really. Mr. Vance. can't re
member lie hesitaied. you know.
I'm not certain that Il even had a
name II was a small place In the
West Flftles-or was {, the For.
tles7 IL was a place that had been
recommended 10 Miss Delaneld By
a friend"
a bit vague-eh. what1- Vance
let bis eyes come 10 rest mildly on
the major. "But thank you Just
the same. think ri siagger back
70 New York aud have a chat with
Miss pelaaelds maid. I'm sure you
won't mind. What. by the By. IL hsr
manner"
The major looked biz startled.
Annie Cochrane." he said, and
then hurried on But | say. Mr.
Vance. this thing sounds rather SO
rlous. Would you mind II ac-
companled you 10 the cityi my
self would like TO know why Annie
didn't report TO me the absence OF
the dog"
I'D be delighted" Vance told
him.
We drove back 10 New York with
Major Hlggiubottom and went dL
rect 10 the Belle Malson.
Annie CochraBe was young
dark-halred woman In her early
thlrtles. obviously OF Irish descent,
and when. on opening the door 10
our ring. she saw Major Hlgglnbot.
tom. she appeared frightened and
tiusiered.
Listen here. Annie" the major
began aggressively. "w'hy didn't you
let me know that Miss Delaneld's
dog had disappeared77
Annie explained stumblingly that
she had been afraid 10 say anything
about the dogs disappearance. as
she considered II her fault that the
dog was gone. and that she had
hoped from day TO day that IL would
return. The woman was patiently
frightened
Just when did the dog dIsap-
pear. Anniet" asked Vance In q
consollng voice.
The woman looked at him CRATE
fully.
Il missed her. sir" she said. lust
after Major Hlgginbottom and Miss
Doris went out Wednesday night. at
about nine o'clock. sir
Vance turned TO Higginbottom
with a faint smile.
Didn't ! understand you 10 say
that you went out at six o'clock.
Major?"
Before Higginbottom could an.
swer. the maid biurted: "Oh. no;
II wasn't six o'clock. II wasn't un-
III nine o'clock. I got dinner for
them here a little after eight"