The Coolidge examiner., 1936-02-28


mo, Mrs. Lowell cannot have you.
In fact, she does not want you. She
deeply resents your attitude toward
Perilla and she doesn't care to en-
tertain you. You will pardon my
speaking so plainly, but If you are
staying in New York l think 1t bet
ter that we understand each other"
you certainly make yourself easy
to understand" said the old lady,
dryly. Naturally, l am no more in
| terested in Mrs. Lowell than she is
in me, but for family reasons we
must be civil"
"What are your plans, as to legal
proceedings?" asked Tony, who
could repress his curiosity no
| longer.
81 think we must let such ques-
tions wait over until tomorrow" said
Farman, not unreasonably. Madame
is weary, and we are all tired from
long train ride"
Stone agreed to this, and after
making an appointment to meet, he
and Tony said good night and went
home. Tony was staying at a hotel,
declining to make use of Stones
hospitality any longer, though Stone
had never failed in cordiality.
Stone was awakened the next
morning by the entrance of his man,
bringing telegram. His heart grew
chill as he read it:
bob Coles died during the night.
Mysterious conditions. Come at
once or as soon as possible. Use
own judgment about letting Lovells
know. Perhaps she will go to see
Mrs. Coles. Perilla well, but every
body shocked beyond words. No
plans till you come. Hurry.
Garth"
Stone telephoned an order for an
airplane, had a light breakfast and,
Fastening to the aerodrome, was
soon on his sky trip to ScOttstown.
If Corey Malden's death was
strange and mysterious, Bob Coles
taking off was even more so.
Everybody at Rosecroft had gath
cred for an early breakfast with one
exception, Bob's place was vacant,
and after time Rosy sent the
waitress up to knock on his third
floor door. But the maid returned,
saying she had no answer.
Buckle is in the hall; send him
up," said Perilla.
Buckle returned in a few mo-
ments, saying, 81 got no answer, and
no sound from the room at all. The
door is locked on the inside"
'I'll co." said Eay, rising from
his place. "Come on, Buckle"
The two went upstairs together
and Hay banged on the door.
There was no result, and Hay be-
gan to look anxious. 'Shall we
break down the door?" he said,
doubtfully.
How about window, Mr.. Field?
Or is there any other door?"
mo other door, and l doubt If
you can get in by window. They
all have patent fastenings that can
be regulated at any width of open
ing, but they can't be manipulated
from the outside"
Buckle suggested a ladder and
breaking a window, instead of
smashing the door. He found Mike,
the Fields chauffeur, who said there
was no ladder long enough"
And those doors lock on the in
side" went on Mike, land we can't
get at them from the hall. Not a
key, you know, snap lock that
turns on the inside"
"All right, then," said Buckle,
"we'd better go back and report to
Mr.. Field"
"All right" said Hay. Cant you
cut out the whole lock, Mike?"
"Yes, sir. I'll get some TOOLS"
Mike made short work of his Job.
When the door swung open they
saw dark, tousled head on the
pillow, with the bedclothing drawn
close up round the neck. Buckle
stepped to the bed and said loudly,
Come. Mr.. Coles, you'll be late"
There was no reply, and Buckle,
going closer, laid a hand on Bob's
forehead. He looked at Fields sig
nificantly. Hay went to the bed,
and, pulling down the blanket looked
at the still form and felt for the
heart and pulse.
"The boy is dead" he said, turn
ing back to Buckle. "What does
it mean! He was locked in here
alone"
"Then he wasn't murdered, If
that's what you're thinking. And
nobody could get through those win
dows."
The windows. there we're Two.
were each open about six inches at
the top. admitting air, yet giving no
1 II, 4