The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-03-14

THAT Chlnk downstairs wants W
speak to Mr.. Vance," he said. Hes
all hot and bothered"
Vance nodded to Heath.
"Send him up, Burke" the sergeant
ordered.
LANG appeared at the door and
waited till, Vance came to him. He
said something in low voice which
the rest of the room could not dis
tinguish, and held out a crudely
twisted paper parcel.
"Thank you, Mr.. Lang" said
Vance; and the Chinaman, with a
bow, returned downstairs.
Vance took the parcel to the desk
and began opening it.
"The cook" he said, speaking di-
rectly to the Italian, "has just found
this package tucked away in the gar
bage pail on the rear porch. 1t may
interest you, Mr.. Grassi."
AS he spoke, he smoothed out the
corners Of the paper; and there were
revealed to all of us many fragments
of beautiful, delicate porcelain with a
pure white luster.
"Here," he went on, still address
ing the Italian, "are the remains of
Mr.. Goes Ting yao vase. j. And,
if you will notice, several Of these
pieces of fragile Sung porcelain are
stained with blood"
There was a long silence. Finally
Grassi looked up.
cts an outraged" he exclaimed. 81
don't comprehend it in the least. :.
And the blood! Do you think, sir,
that this vase had anything to do
with the death of Mr.. Coe?"
"Without doubt" Vance was watch
ing the Italian with puzzled look.
"But pray sit down again, Mr.. Grassi.
There are one or two more questions
l should like to ask you"
The other resumed his seat reluc-
family.
eff you were with Mis- Lake at the
Country club late last night" Vance
proceeded, show did it happen that
you and she returned to the house at
different hours? presume, of course,
that you accompanied her back to the
CITY,"
Grassi appeared embarrassed.
"It was Miss Lakes suggestion
he said, chat we should not be heard
i entering the house at the same time.
So I waited in Central park for
quarter of an hour after she had
gone in"
Vance nodded.
81 thought as much. 1t was the
proximity of your two returns that
made me conclude that possibly you
had been together last night ..
But what reason did Miss Lake give
for the deception
"No particular raeson. Miss Lake
merely said she thought it would be
better if Mr.. Brisbane Coe did not
hear US coming in together"
"She specifically mentioned Mr..
Brisbane Coe?"
eyes"
"And she did not mention Mr..
Archer Coe?"
"Not that l remember"
"That is quite understandable"
Vance remarked. "Uncle Brisbane
was her ally in her engagement to
Mr.. Wrede; and she may have feared
that he would not have approved of
her being out so late with another
man. By the by, Mr.. Grassi, when you
come in last night-or rather, this
morning-where did you hang your
hat and coat?"
A. A cautious look came into the Ital-
: ian's eyes.
81 did not wear an outer coat. But
l carried my hat and stick to my own
ROOM"
"Why? There is a closet in the
lower nall.
Grassi moved uneasily, and / could
have sworn the pallor of his face in
creased.
81 did not care to make a noise
opening and shutting the closet door"
he explained.
Vance made no comment.
"That will be all for the present"
he said pleasantly. "And thank you
for your help. Would you mind
waiting in your room? We shall
probably want to question you again
before the Afternoon is over"
The man bowed and went down the
passageway Of the hall toward the
e