The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-06-18

tie sharply.
"Then don't know what to say. It
lis too much for me. I'm no detective
and if I were / doubt if I could solve
this puzzle"
Even considering outside posi-
bilities," said Field, s'he couldn't
have been shot. There is no weapon
of any sort in the room"
"Then,' said Garth, "it is one OF
those locked room problems so fire.
quent in the detective stories"
"It's all of that" said Hay, land
then some. ! wonder what Mr.. Stone
win make Of it. You see, Bob went
upstairs with the rest of us. / show
ed how to work the windows-they
are trife complicated showed him
the snap lock and the key lock, and
then I left him.
1--WE have to agree with Doctor
Crane that it must have been nat
ural death, brought about by an un-
suspected weakness of the heart. He
died alon, and, presumably, while
alseep. What else could it be but
heart failure? He certainly had no
enemies here, and no one could get
in at these windows, either of them,
nor could he get out again. A long
ladder would have been needed and
even then a man could not get
through those narrow openings"
Exactly five inches, sir" said the
meticulous Buckle.
''Well, Doctor Crane, what do you
say? May we wait while for Elem
ing Stone, or NEST we call the police
at once?"
"Well, it's this way, Mr.. Field"
The old man shook his head sliwly.
"I've been coroner here long time.
I've never gone back on my duty
yet, and I guess can't begin now.
But I tell you there won't be such
a lot of time, after all. It's getting on
to ten or eleven o'clock now, and
while the sheriff may mosey along
sooner, the police from Columbus
won't arrive before late afternoon or
So Mebbe your Mr.. Stone will even
get here first. See what mean? I'll
call 'ern, and they'll come when they
get ready, and thy don't work so
everlastin' fast, anyhow"
"That's all right, doctor" said Per-
lila, catching on to the fact that the
old man had no intention Of hustling
the strong arm of the law.
The day was a strange one. Twice
they had word from Stone and his
plane that he would arrive probably
about four or five in the afternoon.
Perilla and Jane went off together to
write letters home and to Bob's
mother, the latter, of course, being
heart breaking task.
Early in the afternoon the sheriff,
John Gilmore, came. Field took
him in charge, and after showing
him the body and giving him the
main facts, said, do you know,
think it would be better all around
to shut up that room until Fleming
here. You know, he's going to help
Stone, the famous detective, gets
us. Then you and he start on your
work together.
II agree" and Sheriff Gilmore
beamed. "I'd liketa see him work
That is, if the police don't get here
first. If they do I'll string along with
them"
Hay nodded and left Gilmore to
his own devices.
Shortly after, Stone came, and al
once took possession of Bob's room
Zone O. them locked room puzzles
hey, Mr.. Stone?" and Gilmore al
most chuckled at the thought OF
what a treat this would be to the de.
tective.
eyes, sheriff." said Stone. whats
your opinion?"
Suicide, sir, nothin' but suicide
Why, it couldn't be anything else
Could it, now?"
"Well, that we'll have to puzzle
out. wonder if I could be here al
alone for a little. Leave me to my
self, will you? won't be long. Oh
by the way, is Doctor Crane still
here? Good, send him up. And say
sheriff, like good chap, keep every.
body else downstairs, won't you?
Except young Fairfax-send him ur
here"
| Scarcely realizing that he was be.
ing excluded, Gilmore did as he
was bid. Doctor Crane came ponder
ously up the stairs, and Malcolm i'm.
| natipnf1v fO11owad