Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-05-29

And where Is Miss Mazda now7"
parked the Inspector.
In her bed, the darling child" the
housekeeper informed him belligerent-
". Miss Withers' eyebrows went up at
least an inch.
The young man addressed as Franzel
was standing near the figure OF old
Johan Wurtz, whose breathing had sud-
denly begun TO fill the room.
"Uncle's coming out Of it." he an
nounced. He turned TO face the In
spector and Miss Withers. Many
thanks for your help, but don't see
that we need the police. Marvin, viii
/ you show these people out?"
Not so fastl" the Inspector OBJ
"wel. why not2 Ny uncle is sub
Jet to these attacks. which is why he
carries these capsules about with him.
he often has trouble In sleeping, and
I suppose he came down to amuse him
self with his toys" The young man
| gestured toward the Statuettes. Amy
signs OF foul play in that?"
This way" said the housekeeper
firmly, The Inspector and Miss With
erS followed her down the stair, but in
the lower hall they heard the ring Of
the doorbell.
THE doctor, praise bel" gasped the
houSekeeper. She admitted q large, soft
looking man in q plaid overcoat, who
stared at them curiously through thick
glasses.
Piper introduced himself, and Miss
Withers. Turned out to be pretty
much of false alarm, doctor" he said.
But the doctors hand was on his
arm. Inspector, do you mind?" beg
ged DR.. French. I'm not satisfied
mean, I'd like you to wait for just a
few moments
They came into the library again, to
find Franzel gathering up the spilled
ornaments, and a slim and very lovely
young girl kneeling beside Johan
Wurtz' couch. She rose as they enc
tered, pulling q thin negligee around
MAZDA" said the doctor, as If the
name meant something to him.
I'm glad you're here, Peter" said
the girl, looking rather strangely to-
ward Miss Withers. Il must have been
sleeping very Soundly, not to hear any
thing
Especially the sound Of shot in the
next ROOM" Miss Withers told her.
The sick mans eyes opened, and ne
stared up at them, slow recognition
daWning on his face.
MY childrenl" he said hoarsely, and
smiled. "Td nke-I'd like to go up
stairs :" His voice died weakly
The Inspector moved to help DR..
French, but Framed shouldered him
aside.
then stopped. 'You-you mustn't mind
Franzel." She gave them q very sweet
smile. You see, he's upset because he's
SO fond of unclei"
The Inspector and Miss Withers ex-
changed q long and dubious look, as
the girls light slippers clicked on the
stair.
eff she was asleep In her bedroom"
aaid Miss Withers, she slept IN bu-
upstairs looking for the medicine her
room was empty.
They came out onto the landing just
In time to catch glimpse Of DR..
French as he took a quick kiss from
the lips Of the lovely Mazda, and then
came hurrying down toward them.
I'm be back the first thing in the
morning" he called to the girl on the
third floor. And tell Miss Marvin to
go to bed, Wen let ourselves out"
"WelI, doctor?" Piper queried. But
the doctor placed his finger to his
lips, and led them down and out Of
the house.
II asked you to wait because for
some weeks I've had suspicion that
John Wurtz was in danger of his life"
"You mean-murder2" cut in Piper.
II mean murder" said the doctor.
but who'd want to murder him2"
Miss WitherS put in. lis he rich2"
The doctor shook his head. "On the
contrary, he has very little except this
mortgaged house. The only heirs are
Mazda and her brother, and they'd get
everything anyway in the course Of a
few months. With his heart, Johan
Wurtz cannot live to see another spring,
which makes it all the more damnable
that someone wants to murder him"
Yeah" objected Piper, who was very
weary Of the whole thing. But how do
you know that someone wants TO bump
him Off"
an ten YOU" said DR.. French
While he was convalescing from his
last attack the old mans appetite was
pickish He complained that some Calls
foot jelly had funny taste and put
1t aside. Just for fun took 1t to the
laboratory and tested 1t. The stuff
DR.. French paused for dramatic effect
"the stuff contained about hall q
gram of digitalisi"
but that's not poisonl" objected
mot unless you've got the kind of
heart that Johan Wurtz has, said the
doctor. 81 didn't dare tell him, nat
Tally. But warned the Marvin wom-
an not to give him anything more to
eat that had been sent In by the
WHAT" interrupted Piper. Nov
we're getting somewhere"
DIR. French indicated a narrow build !
ing which stood next door to the Wurtz |
brownstone, wall TO wall. 81 think the |