The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-01

noyance in his voice. Are you
crazy? I suppose you think I'd
sleep all through a fight on my
own roof. Show a little sense,
man."
That's what am showing"
said Larkin grimly. None Of all
this makes sense, and you were
too sound asleep when we came in
to SeeHa reasonable. But we were
sent up here by headquarters to
find out what the trouble is, and
I guess I'd better start in doing a
little finding out. Have you got
q woman up here?"
The look Of puzzlement on the
others face deepened. Then he
laughed: We'll, Of all the amaE-
ing questions, he said, II really
must say that I don't know that
it's any of your business as to
whether I have a lady friend or
not, but I'd hardly be sitting in
here sound asleep if one were
around, now would II"
Officer Larkin was beginning to
feel q little puzzled himself by
now. It certainly didn't look as
If there had been a scrap, or even
a domestic brawl, in this peace
full studio. And the man was
amiable, and not at all flustered.
I'VE are with cruising police
car" he said, land headquarters
rodinaS ,Jc r. onpoa ,D hnrn m
the run. They said that there was
a murder being done on your roof.
A man and q woman fighting hell
for leather"
"Oh, I see," came the amused
comment. 80 you think that I
have had a knockdown-drag out
fight with a woman-and won!
My dear fellow, / assure you, you
flatter me. The fight is possible,
but that I should win, is not even
probable. However, as you feel
that in your line Of duty you just
must have a fight and a murder
I'll strive to please. You'll find
the body in the bath. That's the
fashionable place to keep them
nowadays, you know. So clean"
This is no joking matter, sir,
though 1t may be amusing 70 you"
Larkin was nettled. I'VE have our
duty to do, and it would help a
lot if you'd answer questions CIV
lily and seriously. Your name is
Vane, isn't it?"
Eyes"
where's your wife?" Larkin
asked.
my wife is in bed, and is GER
tainly the only woman in the
apartment" He added sniline,
''ThiS Is all really very absurd.
Somebody must be playing prac-
tical joke. That's the only posi-
BILE explanation"
Shocked Husband
would you mind calling your
wife?" Larkin persisted.
mot in the least, but she'll hate
like he'll being disturbed, believe
me-"
He left the room, followed close
ly by the officer, crossed small
hall and gently opened the bed
room door. The room was in alb
solute darkness, as heavy velvet
curtains had been drawn across
the. windows.
"Isobel," he called softly, ARE
you awaken"
There was no answer. He STEP
ped softly into the silent room,
and switched en- the lights just
within the door.
"1sobel!" he called again-and
then as he stared at the bed he
felt that he must be dreaming.
For tn, big, downy four.poSte1 was
empty, and, a fact that widened
his eyes with amazement and
blanched his cheeks with sudden
fear, it had not been disturbed.
The satin coverlet was as smooth
as it had been that morning, and
all the pillows were in terrifying
perfect order.
For the first time he took seri-
ously the statement of Officer
Larkin about the call from head
quarters. and the fight on his own
roof. The full significance Of the
presence of the two policemen in
his apartment struck him with
telling force. He turned white
| face to the officer who stood close
behind him.
Shes not there!" he cried, and
the garment of the poised humor'
ist dropped from him like a mas
querade costume from the shout
ders of one finished with the
dance.
An idea struck him.
wait" he cried, she must be
in the bathroom!"
CHAPTER II
He ran across the richly car.
peted bedroom floor. and Larkin
was close at his heels as he
raped, and then rapidly opened
the bathroom door. The all-night
light that burned there showed at
glance that this room, too, was
empty, and that there was no
possible place Of concealment.
The police officer looked inter
ested and suspicious, and studied
the drawn face of the other man,
who seemed by now distraught,
nearly out Of his mind
MY God!" he cried hySteric.
ally, "1sobel' Isobel!"
Larkin shook him, none too
gently.
Steady" he said. You needn't