The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-05-30
THE KENNEL
MURDER CASE
By s. s. VAN DINE


it and its condition told us, only too
plainly, that it was the weapon which
had been used to strike through Gras-
sis arm.
"But why" asked Markham with a
puzzled frown, SHOULD the man who
attempted ito kill Grassi bring the
weapon back here to the library?"
Probably" replied Vance, "for the
same reason that the person who
stabbed Archer and Brisbane Coe put
the dagger in the vase in this same
room. At least there's certain con-
sistency in the actions Of our stab
ber."
"You think" asked Markham, chat
the same person who stabbed the Goes
attmpted Grassi's life also?"
"Why leap at conclusions sighed
Vance. "There are so many other
things to be ascertained before we can
reach any intelligent conclusion"
"For instance"
Vance arranged himself comfortably
in a large chair.
"Well," he said, inhaling deeply on
his cigarette. II could endure to hear
the various persons inside and outside
the house chant their runes as to what
they know of tonight's happenings. .
And there are other things which
might bear casual scrutiny-to wit:
why did Grassi's call for help not
arouse Miss Lake on the third floor
ere it penetrated to Candles ears :?
And what hath yon Cerberus on the
front stone steps to say about those
who may have come and gone tonight ?
And where, and doing what, was the
subtle Mr.. Liany during the upheaval
and also what of the doughty guard
which I asked to have stationed in
Archer Goes bedroom tonight"
Heath, who during the entire time
we had been at the Coe house had
been in a state of silent but aggres-
sive indecision, stood up and squared
his shoulders.
"Well, Mr.. Vance, We'll get all of
your questions answered pronto. Pm
telling the world I'D like to get the
answers myself. 1 asked that detective
out front who'd been in here tonight,
and he said nobody. But we'll ask
him again."
He threw the door open.
"Come here, Sullivan" he bawlad;
and the detected figure we had passed
on the front steps came into the Ii
brary.
"a guys been stabbed here" Heath
clustered. "You told me no one had
come in or gone out the front door.
But this is serious business, and we
want you to rack your brain, if any,
and tell US what you know"
Detective Sullivan was both abashed
and defiant.
'T told you, Sergeant" he insisted.
chat I've been sitting on those steps
since seven o'clock tonight and moth
ing or nobody, so much as cock
roach has passed me goin' or comm"
MAYBE you went to sleep and just
dreamed it ALL" the sergeant suggest
ed sarcastically.
"That's enough, Sergeant" said
Vance mildly. II think Sullivan is tell
ing the truth. have a feeling that
no one came in the front door to-
night"
Sullivan was sent back to the front
steps and Heath went into the hall.
'71l find out about Burke in Goes
room," he offered.
A moment later he appeared with
Detective Burke in tow.
"Tell Mr.. Markham and Mr.. Vance,"
he ordered gruffly, "what you've been
doing all night"
81 been sleeping" Burke admitted
frankly. II pulled up chair against
the door forgot my troubles. Was
there anything the matter with that,
Sergeant?"
Heath hesitated.
"Well, I guess not. You been work.
ing all day-and didn't tell you to
keep awake. But guys been stabbed
right down the hall from you, and he
called for help-and now you know
nothin' about it." The sergeant shook
his head with disgust. "Well, 60 on
back and see if you can keep awake
for while"
Burke went out.
"My fault" the sergeant explained.
"After all, you can't blame him, Mr..
Vance,"