The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-05-30

Gamble swallowed twice and braced
himself against the door.
"That is quite simple, SIR" he said.
"Miss Lakes boudoir is at the rear
of the house and there's large parlor
between her boudoir and the door lead
ing into the hall. I, sir, leave my door
open on the fourth floor, in case the
front door bell should ring or should
be called"
When Gamble had been sent back to
the upper hall, Vance sighed and
crushed out his cigarette.
"Well, that explains that. Really,
v know, Markham, we don't seem to
be moving with what might be called
precipitate rapidity."
He lit fresh cigarette and stood up
II think I'll take look at the rear
of the house. Would you care to stag
ger along?"
The sergeant nodded sagely.
"You think the guy that stabbed the
Italian got in the back way, do you,
Mr.. Vance?" ..... -..
II have come to the conclusion Ser
geant," Vance returned sadly, as he
went toward the door leading into the
dining room, =" that thinking at this
hour of the morning is a frightful
waste of effort"
! We followed him toward the kitch-
en-. AS he opened the door leading
into the buffers pantry, I was sur
prised to see rectangular line of
light around the kitchen door.
Vance halted momentarily.
81 wonder :" he murmured, as
if to himself. And then: "No, no;
Gamble wouldn't have dared come
near the rear of the house-he's in a
blue funk"
He proceeded across the pantry and
pushed open the swinging door into
the kitchen.
Under the central light, seated a
large table of white pine, was LANG,
fully dressed, and with a green eye
shade pulled down to the bridge of
his nose. Before him on the table
were pile of books and many sheets
of scattered paper. AS we entered he
rose and faced us, removing his eye
shade, smiled pleasantly and made a
stiff bow.
"Good evening, Mr.. Lang" Vance
greeted him amiably. you're work.
ing rather late"
81 had many thing to do tonight
my work had accumulated. My
monthly report to the Ia Tao Huei is
overdue. trust have not dis
commoded the household"
"You have been working all night
here in the kitchen?" Vance asked
going to the porch door and trying it.
Ut was locked.)
"Since eight O'clock" the Chinaman
returned. "May 1 be of any service to
you?"
ooh, no end" Vance sauntered back
and perched himself on a high stool.
"Have you been aware of anything
unusual in the house tonight, Mr..
Liang?"
The man looked mildly surprised.
"Quite the contrary. It seemed very
peaceful after the excitement today"
"Restful-eh, what? Astonishin'!
And yet, Mr.. LANG, while you were
engaged in your liter-ry labors, Sig
nor Grassi was stabbed"
There was no change of expression
on the Chinaman's face as he answer
ed: "That is most unfortunate"
eyes, yes, quite" Vance's tone was
slightly irritable. "But did you. by any
chance, hear anyone or see anyone
enter the rear door this EVENING""
LANG shook his head slightly in
slow and Indifferent negative.
mo-" ne said. mo one, to my
knowledge, entered by the rear door.
>. Perhaps the front door"
"Many thanks for the suggestion"
Vance interrupted with a shrug; "but
there's been some one guarding it."
"Ahw The Chinaman moved his
eyes little until they rested on
point somewhere above Vance's head.
"That is indeed interesting. Per-
haps the den window"
can excellent suggestion! Our graf
itude, and all that, Mr.. Lag" Vance
murmured "I'll have a look at the
window. . Pray continue with your
work." And he led the way back
through the dining room into the IL
brary.