The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-01-10

with Mr.. Goes death n"
THAT wouldn't be cricket" she re-
turned. "But I'll say this much: there
are several Chinese gentlemen whom
uncle has swindled and tricked out of
rare treasures, who will be delighted
to learn that his collecting days are
over. And you probably know your
self, Mr.. Markham, that there were
many unpleasant rumors after uncle's
return from China last year-gossip
about his desecrating graveyards and
removing Itinerary urns and figures.
He received several threatening let
ters."
Markham nodded.
81 eyes, remember. He showed me
one or two of them. -. Do you
seriously believe an outraged Orien-
tai killed him."
Certainly not. The Chinese have
more sense than to kill anyone for
piece of bric-a-brac."
Vance yawned and strolled between
Hilda Lake and Markham. Again he
held out his cigarette case.
ooh, do have a cigarette" he
pleaded. Sometime they quiet the
nerves, don't y know"
The woman looked up at him and
gave hard, questioning smile. Then,
after a moments hesitation she took
one, and he lighted it for her.
"What do you think of this affair,
Mr.. Vance ?" she asked casually.
dashed if I know" He spoke
lightly. "Your suggestion Of China
man is most fascinatin'. I wonder if
there are any objets dart missing
from the house."
"I wounldn't be surprised" She
blew a long ribbon of smoke toward
the ceiling. Personally, / hope they
are all gone. I'd infinitely prefer
Wedgwood and Willow ware"
Markham again took the floor.
"I'm afraid we're all talking bit
Dramatically. :. If your uncle death
was not suicide, Miss Lake, how do
you account for the fact that the door
was bolted on the inside ?"
Hilda Lake rose to her feet, a
puzzled look on her face.
"Bolted on the inside?" she repeat
ed, turning toward the door. "Ah! So
you had to break inp' She stood still
for several moments looking at the
hanging bolt. "That's different"
TN just what way?" asked Vance.
maybe, after all, it was suicide!"
A bell sounded downstairs, and we
could hear Gamble opening the front
door,
Markham stepped quickly to Hilda
Lakes side, and put his hand on her
arm.
"The medical examiner is probably
coming. Will you be so good as to go
to your room and wait there?"
"Right-o." She strobe to the door.
Before she went out she turned. "But
please send Gamble up with my tea
and mullins. I'm positively starving"
A minute later DR.. Emanuel Dore-
mus was ushered into the room. He
was wiry, nervous man, cynical,
hard-bitten, and with a pounty man.
ner. He resembled a stock salesman
far more than he did a doctor.
He greeted us with a wave Of the
hand, and glanced about the room.
Then he teetered back and forth on
his toes, and pinned baleful eye on
Heath.
"More shenanigan," he complained.
II was in the midst of hot cakes and
sausages when got your message.
You always pick on me at meal time.
Sergeant. Well, what have you
got for me now"
Heath grinned and jerked his
thumb toward Goes body. He was
used to the medical examiners grous-
:
ing.
Doremus turned his head and let
his Indifferent eyes rest on the dead
man for several moments.
The door was bolted on the inside,
DOCTOR" Markham volunteered. "We
had to break it in"
Doremus drew deep sigh and
turned back to Heath with a grunt
of disgust.
well, what about it," he asked
impatiently. couldn't you have let
me finish my breakfast? All you
needed was an order to remove the
body He reached in his pocket and
drew out small pad of printed
blanks. eff you'd have given me the