The Coolidge examiner., 1935-02-08


before four. | understood he had
an appointment with the curator OF
oriental antiquities OF the Metro
poll,an museum"
And Mr.. Brisbane Coe. you said
over the phone. was In Chicago"
MArkhams statement Was actually
question.
He wasn't In Chicago at that
time. SIR" Gamble explained. He
was en- route. so TO speak. He took
the fve-thirty train from the Grand
Central last evening"
.~liow DO you know Mr. Coe took
The avethlrty iraint"
Gamble looked pcrplexed.
Il didn't exactly see him OF. sir"
be replied. after blinking several
times. But I phoned FOR the res
eryations. and packed his suitcase.
and got him a taxi"
what time did he leave the
houseg'
"a little before I've. sir"
Vance reused himself from M.
parent lethargy.
Il say Gamble. he spoke with.
out looking up-"when did Mr..
brisbane decide on his jauat 20 Chi
caEog'
The butler turned his head
toward Vance In mild surprise.
why. not until after fom O'Clock.
u was a rather sudden decision. sir
-or so II seemed 10 me. lie geo
orally plans on his Chicago trips
the day before"
"Ah!" Vance raised his eyes Ian
suidly. Does he make mauy trips
10 ChicngoT
About one a month. I should say.
sir"
DO you know what the attraction
is In ChicagoT
Not exactly. sir. But several
times have heard him discussing
the meetings there OF some learned
society. My impression Is that he
goes 20 Chicago TO attend them"
Yes. quite reasonable. Queer
chap. Brisbane" Vance unused.
Hes Interested In all sorts OF out
of-theway subjects So he made
a sudden decision TO migrate west
after four o'clock yesterday. and
departed before Eve. Most in
ierestin'. And now. Gamble.
think carefully before you answer
Did you notice anything ulasual In
SIR Brisbane Goes manner iast eve
nlnET-
The man gave a slight start His
gaEe turned quickly to yaace. and
he swallowed twice before answer
ing.
Il did. sir-so help me God. did
lie was not altogether himself He's
usually very calm and even-goIng
But before he left here no seemed
distracted and-snd ndgety And he
did = most peculiar thing. sir. be-
fore he left the house be shook
hands with Mr. Archer. Tye never
seen him shake hands with Mr..
Archer before. And he said Good
by. brother II was most peculiar.
for he has never. 10 my knowledge.
called Mr.. Archer by anything but
bis ars, name"
AS I understand Il. when Mr.
Brisbane had gone you and Mr.
Archer were left alone IN the
house"
~why. yes. sir" The man was
breathing heavily: all OF his obse-
quIousncss had departed But |
only stayed long enough TO prepare
Mr. Archers supper.
And left MF Archer aloneT"
Yes He was sitting IN the IT,
brary downstairs reading"
"And where did you 20 and how
dlsport yourselfy'
Gamble leaned forward earnestly.
Il had dinner. and then I went to
a motion picture
And what other servants are
there In the housei"
For some reason the man
breathed a deep sigh OF relief.
There's only two, sir. beside my
self" His voice was steadier now.
The Chinese cook"
"Ah. a Chinese cook. ehi How
long has be been hereT'
"Only a few months"
go on"
"Then there's Miss Lakes per-
sonal maid. And tAat's all. sir"
when did the cook and Miss
Lakes maid leave the house yester-
dayT"
Right after lunch. That's the
usual order on Wednesdays, sir"
"And when did they returni"
Late last night | myself came
in at eleven. ! was just retiring
about midnight. I should say. sir
when I heard the cook sneak In"
Yance's eyebrows went up.
"SneakT"
''He always sneaks, SIR. He's
very ally and tricky and-and de-
vious, slr--if you know what
mean"
Probably his oriental upbring-
ing" remarked Vance casually. with
a faint smile. Tell me. is II usual