Evening star., 1936-09-12

4 \ sound Of voices. Detective
Rye slipped from the bed room ana
Immediately returned.
cts the chief" he said. There was
anxiety In his voice.
The footsteps and the voices spread
through the apartment. and IN q
moment a tall man strobe into the ped
room preceded by drumlike stomach
and a pair of protuberant eyes: Dallas
chief of detectives. Dallas, himself, IN
one of his personal appearances. "A
noted criminal hunter, as local talent
went. A man of truculent temper ana
aggressive activity. He looked at Riley
Blackwood and said, What the hell!
Behind him in the doorway crowded
a miniature army OF experts.
Nethersole began to give his CHIEF
An agitated explanation, but Black
wood stopped him.
"Mv name is Blackwood," he said.
courteously enough. Il might claim 10
represent the Morning Chronicle, II I
chose but in point Of fact represent
only a large body Of curiosity. A party
Of us, upstairs, heard the radio call
sent out about this trouble, and l
came down to investigate"
The detective chieftain regarded
him with wintry eyes, then looked at
his subordinates. There was an un-
comfortable pause.
The cold blue glance returned TO
Blackwood. We'll talk about your
case little later, Mr.. Blackwood,
said the chief, without emotion. Go
into the other room and sit down"
He turned abruptly to the bed and
for some moments stared frowningly
into the face of the dead woman.
Then the bleak eyes began to wander.
For an instant they met those OF
Nethersole.
"Is that the way you found her,
Nethersole?"
Absolutely, chief" The detective
again began his explanation about
Blackwood. This Blackwood was up
stairs at party, chief"
"Never mind that, now" said Dali
las. What else has happened here
since you telephoned?"
Not a thing, chief! Not thing!"
Nevertheless, the perSpiring de-
tective sergeant found :, number OF
little matters to report. In shame
less haste he appropriated Black
woods ideas about the ash tray and
quoted him, without credit, on the
subject of elevators and the door
man.
The chief nodded. "Just the same"
he said, 1.-The fellow must have slipped
up somewhere" He barked his orders
at the cameramen. "Al right, you
fellows, get busy! I want her from
every angle. And get going after
fingerprints, Burke. You, too, Belden!
We haven't got all night" He ad-
dressed the room at large. did you
ever see anything like that coverlet
in your life! It's like lining for a
coffin"
He stood looking for a moment at
the black satin counterpane, then
spun on his heel and strode out of
the bed room with gleam OF malevo-
lent humor in his eye.
Riley Blackwood was seated in the
living room, talking with the house
keeper. At sight of his occupation,
new frown gathered on the detectives
brow.
And now, Mr.. Blackwood," he
said with icy courtesy, you and I
. will have a little talk. You may go,
Mrs. Morris. We won't want you for
a while You may go!" he roared.
as the woman cupped hand to her
ear.
Blackwood laughed. do really
annoy you that much, Dallas?" he in
quired.
The detective mastered his tenn
per. "You don't annoy me at all" he
replied, coldly. You interest me.
Do you mind telling me exactly what
the hell you are doing in this apart
ment?"
ct thought had already done that.
First of all, then, my name is"
"I know your name" said Dallas.
'Don't give me one Of your cards.
know exactly who you are, if it's any
comfort to you. You're an amateur
detective. Apparently, you think it
gives you privileges"
"I'm not claiming any tonight,
said Blackwood. Aren't we being
bit ridiculous, Dallas? This sounds
like Gilbert and Sullivan to me-"
IT don't care if it sounds like O'Con-
nor and Goldberg" said the detec-
tive. I'D like an explanation of your
presence here. You say you were at
party upstairs and heard our radio
call come through. That was rather
unusual coincidence, wasn't it?"
ct thought SO myself" admitted
Blackwood, smiling.
Then we agree about that. Did
you ever see this dead woman be-
fore?"
ct never did-either dead or alive.
Not to my knowledge, anyway.
know who she is"
"She isn't in your line, then?"
Theatrical, you mean? Not exactly.
I probably know people who know all
about her. If I can help you in any
way
"When want your help I'll ask
for it." said Dallas. Just now, please
answer my questions. The point is."
added the chief of detectives, frigidly,
"the woman was killed in this apart
ment, a little while ago, while your
party was going on upstairs. Muir
dered! When I arrive, find you
on the scene with my policemen,
shopping around and making in
quiries. I could toss you into jail on
suspicion, If I wanted to-"
Blackwood was amused. 'Marblesl"
he said, without rancor. Base balls.
tennis balls and 40 love! You're not
that big a fool, Dallas. You surely
don't believe killed this woman and
came back to cover up my tracks?"
al don't know anything about it
yet" retorted the detective. "Tn an
swer your question, though. / don't
,f.hink you killed this woman. but II