The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-04-04

time before replying.
"That's what I can't make out" ne
admitted. brisbane was not stabbed
until hours after Archer. The murder
er could have been in Philadelphia by
the time Brisbane was stabbed. He
certainly wouldn't have tarried here
for several hours after disposing of
Archer. The only explanation have
is that the murderer, after killing
Archer and placing the dagger in the
vase, returned to the house and killed
Brisbane, too" *
AThen, l ask you," the sergeant
broke out, chow did the dagger get in
the bolted room ?-and who put the
bullet through Archer's head, and
why?"
eff l could answer those questions,
Sergeant" Vance told him, 81 could
solve this whole insane problem"
At this moment Wrede came down
the stairs and walked past the library
to the front door.
ooh, say, Mr.. Wrede," Vance call
, ed out. "Could We speak to you mo-
ment before you go?"
The man turned and came into the
library. His face was flushed and
there was a sullen, angry look in his
eyes-a look almost murderous.
"Here l am" he announced CURLY
through set jaws.
$50 l Observe" Vance murmured
mildly. "And you seem rather upset,
don't y know"
Wrede's tense attitude did not re-
lax; and he said nothing.
"You saw Miss Lake ?" Vance ask
ed pleasantly.
The man gave jerky nod.
"And since speaking to her" Vance
pursued languidly, "do you still feel
that you have no suggestion to make
as to a possible perpetrator of this
double crime?"
A shrewd light came into the others
eyes, and he hesitated for several Sec
onds. Then he said:
"Not at the moment. But it might
be we'll if you temporarily concen-
trated your investigation on Mr..
Grassi. have just learned that Arch
er Coe had agreed to sell him a con-
Of onIIn0tI0n
= Wrede hesitated. Then he added: "1t
may interest you to know, Mr.. Vance,
, that my engagement to Miss Lake
has been broken
"Most distressin'" Vance gave his
attention to his cigarette. "But what
could Archer's willingness to dispose
of part of his collection have to do
with his death? Even had Archer
others, l still can't see what Mr..
Grassi would have gained by his
DEATH"
"Archer may have regretted his de-
cision after he had committed him
self.
81 see your point, Mr.. Wrede,"
Vance interrupted coldly. "But what
of Brisbane?
"Could not Brisbane's death have
been an accident ?"
eyes quite" Vance smiled thought
fully. "I'm sure it was an accident-a
most unfortunate accident. Last night
was filled with the most amazin' acct
dents. . But l shan't keep you from
your lunch any longer"
Wrede bowed stiffly.
He had no sooner closed the front
door behind him than Vance called
Gamble from the hall.
"Run upstairs" he said, "and,with-
out saying anything, find out where
Mr.. Grassi is"
The butler laft the room, return
ing shortly.
"Mr. Grassi, sir" he reported, els
in conversation with Miss Lake in her
sitting room on the third floor"
Vance gave faint satisfied smile.
"And now, Gamble will you ask Mr..
Grassi to come here"
Gamble went out, and Vance turned
to Markham.
"I suspected from Wrede's manner
that he had found his Latin rival with
the young woman. There was prob
ably most painful scene, and poor
Wrede was given his congo. It's very
sad. He doesn't like Grassi, he doesn't
at all like him. But doubt if he
really suspects him of killing Archer
though I'm sure Wrede doesn't put
it beyond him"
'''Then why the insinuations ?"
"More subtletv. Markham Wrede