Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1937-07-08
w S. S. VAN DINE
Copyright S. S. Van Dine
WNU Service
CHAPTER X-Continued

ago; but the air will hs clear in
little while. No casualties. Every
one doing well Did you want
to see me?"
Garden looked round at the group
on the roof with puzzled air.
lawfully sorry to interrupt you,
Vance; but the fact is, came for
the doctor" His eyes rested on Sic
fert, and he smiled dryly. cts the
usual thing, doc," he said. "The
mater seems almost in a state of
collapse-she assured me that she
hadn't an ounce of strength left"
A worried look came into Siefert's
eyes.
"1'l come at once, of course" he
said. He looked at the nurse and
then lifted his gaze to Vance. "Will
you excuse me?"
Vance bowed. Certainly, doc
tor. But I think Miss Beeton had
better remain here in the air for
while longer"
Siefert left the roof reluctantly,
with Garden following him.
Vance watched them until they
turned through the door of the pass
ageway; then he spoke to the nurse.
'Please sit here a few minutes,
Miss Beeton. I want to have a talk
with you. But first I'd like minute
or two with Mr.. Hammle."
The nurse nodded her assent and
sat down a little YEARLY on the set
tee.
Vance beckoned CURLY to
Hammle. Suppose we go inside
for a moment"
Hammle rose with alacrity. IT
was wondering how much longer
you gentlemen were going to keep
me here"
Vance led the way into the study,
and Markham and I followed be-
hind Hammle.
'What were you doing on the roof,
MIR. Hammle?" asked Vance. II
told you some time ago, after our
brief interview, that you might CO."
Hammle fdgeted. He was pat
emily apprehensive and wary.
There's no crime in going out
into the garden for a while
is there?" he asked with unimpres-
sive turbulence.
'None whatever" Vance re-
turned casually. IT was wonderin'
why you preferred the gardens to
going home. Devilish things have
been happening in the garden this
afternoon"
Gas I told you, I wish 1 had
gone. How did I know"
That's hardly the point, Mr..
Hamnle." Vance cut him short.
ut doesn't answer my question"
: "Well now, look here" Hammle
explained fulsomely; IT had just
missed train to Long Island, and
it was more than an hour until the
next one. When I went out of here
and started to go downstairs, sud-
denly said to myself, It'll be pleas
anter waiting in the garden than in
the Pennsylvania station So went
out on the roof and hung around.
And here I am"
Vance regarded the man shrewd-
ly and nodded his head.
eyes, as you say. Here you are.
More or less in evidence. BY the
by, MIR. Hammle, what did you see
while you were waiting in the gar
den for the next train?"
"Not a thing absolutely"
Hammle's tone was aggressive. II
walked along the lockwood hedges,
smoking, and was leaning over the
parapet by the gate, looking out at
the city, when I heard you come
out carrying the nurse"
Vance narrowed his eyes: it was
obvious he was not satisfied with
Hammle's explanation.
"And you saw no one else either
in the garden or on the terrace?"
"Not a SOUL" the man assured
him.
"And you heard nothing?"
'Not until you gentlemen came
out.''
Vance stood regarding Hammle
for several moments. Then he
turned and walked toward the gar
den window.
''That will be all for the mo-
ment," he said brusquely. But we
shall probably want to see you to-
morrow"
'Ill be at home all day. Glad
to be of any service" Hammle shot
covert look at Vance, made his
adieux quickly, and went out down
the passageway.
Vance returned at once to the
garden. Miss Beeton drew herself
up little as he approached her.
do you feel equal to few ques-
tions?" he asked her.
"Oh, yes" She smiled with more
assurance now, and rose.
AS we crossed the garden to the
balustrade, Miss Beeton took deep
breath and shuddered slightly.
You'd better have your coat"
Vance suggested. He returned to
the study and brought it out to her.
When he had helped her into it she
turned suddenly and looked at him
inquiringly.
why was nay coat brought to the
study?" she asked.
Vance's tone was reassuring. We