The Coolidge examiner., 1936-03-27
CHAPTER XI-Continued

fidence and faith in your powers,
but l do wish we could hasten mat
tiers a bit. Now, don't think for a
minute I'm impatient; l only want
to see Perilla more at ease. The
girl is worried to death, and it isn't
surprising"
Indeed it isn't; and nobody longs
for progress more than l do. But
it's coming, Gaskel; it's on the
way"
Really? Have you a glimmer of
an idea of the criminals identity?"
-Yes. I'm sure 1 can say yes to
that. Now to pin it on him."
"Wish 1 could help"
eff you don't mind, we won't take
the matter up tonight. I'm all In
me for bed. Plum, you want to
set up some refreshing drinks for
us?"
Dying to, Mr.. Stone" said his
secretary. whats yours, Mr.. Cas-
kell?"
Just a Scotch highball, not too
stiff"
And yours as usual, Mr.. Stone?"
YES" answered the detective, alb
sent-mindedly. 81 say, Tony, do you
know Simpson, the great toxicolo-
gist?"
Never heard of him; who Is he?"
Hes not well known. An old
man, but famous in his line. 1 won
der If he'd look into this affair.
Think I'll see him tomorrow"
DO. Here's your drink, Stone"
Gaskell handed over the glass he
had taken from Plum and took the
next one himself.
'Oh, that second one is NINE"
Stone said. "Plum fixes it just
right"
"Pshaw," said Tony, they're ex-
actly alike, aren't they, PLUMP"
"Just about, sir. But We'll hui
NOR MIR. Stone, he's so tired to-
night"
Plum passed another to Gaskell,
who handed it across to Stone, the
detective saying, set it down,
Plum, l think-I'm going to-
atchoO! atchoo! sneeze, atchoo |!
therer'
Stone sneezed once more and
then sat down, laughing through his
tears.
Take it away, Plum. 1 don't
want any MORE"
Did you get any?" asked Tony.
"Yes, glassful, l should say.
Now I'm going upstairs. Stay
down while, if you like, Tony"
"No, I'm ready to turn in. Give
us a couple of nightcaps, Plum, I'll
carry them up for the two of u.s."
The secretary obeyed, and the
two men went upstairs.
In his room Stones sneezes left
him and he swallowed his Scotch
and soda with relish. And leisure
ly undressing, was soon in his first
light sleep.
A faint noise brought him to his
senses and, sitting up in bed, he
watched the knob of his door slow
iy turning.
Not Tony" he said to himself,
mot Plum, then"
But before he finished his MUIR
INJURED sentence he was back on his
pillow and sound asleep.
1t was Tony who turned the knob
of Fleming Stones door. He said
so next morning at the breakfast
table.
DO you always lock your bed
room door?" he asked of Stone
What are you afraid off,"
Il don't know that I'm definitely
afraid of anything, but 1 don't like
TO think of being kidnapped when
I'm asleep. Why? How did you
know it was locked? Were you
wanting to get in?"
"Just exactly that. I was wake
full, and l thought I'd like to read
that philosophy you were talking
about"
."Schopenhauer? Yes, it is in nv
bedroom. Too bad. Why didn't
you knock louder-or didn't you
knock?"
NO. l didn't want to wake you.
tried the door and it wouldn't
open, so | just gave it up"
III have it put in your room
for you tonight. Now l must scoot
I've lot on for today. Be here
for dinner; we're having wild
duck"
Good! Trust me to be on hand"
81 want you to meet me here at
eleven-thirty, Plum" the detective
said. Routine work till then, and
we must be at Old Man Simpsons
at noon."
"The beginning OF the end?"
guessed Plum shrewdly.
ut may be; sincerely hope So"
Simpson had telephoned Stone
early that morning to come around
at noon. By good luck he had put
the autOpsies through sooner than
Ge had hoped, but the results were