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

/ fessional crispness. 'Be there In ten
you to dig out what we call 'colIap-
sule,' a silk-covered glass vial from
MIR. Wurtz' vest pocket and break 1t
under his nose. It should revive him. =
Miss Withers hurried up the stairs,
wondering where the sick mans bed
room might be. After discovering that
the only other room on the second
floor was the dining room, she hur-
ried on up to the third.
She burst into the first door she
found, and ftlmbled until she found the
light switch. Then as the room was
flooded with brilliance, she stood stock
still and gaped.
In the middle of 3 large four-poster
bed young man hurriedly sat up,
clutching the covers around him. His
wispy red hair hung over his forehead.
"What-what-" he gurgled.
He turned, and with one arm FUN
bled beneath the pillow. But Miss
WitherS backed swiftly out the door,
without further delay. Oddly enough.
that young man was wearing q white
shirt and black bow tie.
The next bedroom was far down
the hall. She entered delicately fem
mime bedroom, all white and gold. Bits
Of silk and lace were scattered every
where, but the bed was empty.
There was one other door in the
hall, beside the bathroom which stood
open.
This last was a square cell-like
chamber with q hard-looking bed, a
small chest Of drawers, and no dec
grafton except pair Of pied maJolica
stations who reared at each other on
the bedside table.
There was q worn brown suit on
chair back, and in pocket Miss With
erS discovered the tiny tube for which
she was searching. AS she drew it
from the pocket voice spoke behind
her.
"stick up your handsl"
She whirled to face bedraggled,
sandy-haired young man whose lower
lip trembled with excitement. His hand
held a very ugly-looking automatic
pistol.
stuff and nonsensel" snapped Miss
Withers. Let me take this capsule
down to the sick man in the library"
"Huh?"
mr.. Wurtz has had an attack" she
advised him. II only came after the
capsule. And II you know what's good
for you, young man :"
She advanced toward the door, hop
ing she showed none Of her inner
panic.
my uncle2" He looked amazed.
The young man stood back out Of
the way. 1T isn't loaded, anyway" he
told her with faint grin. @See?" He
pointed the gun at the ceiling and
pulled the trigger. Then he dropped
his jaw In surprise as the room echoed
70 resounding explosion and bits Of
plaster flew everywhere.
Well" he muttered, as Miss With
ers went down the stairs three at
time.
The Inspector met her, thanked by
the housekeeper. s'Only the family
idiot" snapped Miss Withers, unkind
"; Playing with his empty gun -
She pushed past them, and hurried
TO the side Of the old man who lay
on the sofa In the library. With an eff
ficient snap she broke the enclosed
glass tube, and let the fumes of amyl
nitrate fill the stricken mans nostrils.
There was voice in the doorway
the wispy young man was grinning.
sorry ma'am, mistudged you. Hows
uncle?"
The Inspector went into action.
You can give me that gun" he or
dered, as he squared himself and moved
forward.
"Okay," said the young man. "But |
II Isn't loaded nowhere was Just one |
cell in the chamber - He handed
IL over.
Piper dropped the automatic into
his capacious pocket. ANYBODY else |
likely TO start pOtshootfng at us? Who
Rll's Ia the house2"
The housekeeper shook her fat.
frightened face.
Nobody but guss us-and Miss Mai
da, sur. That's Master Franzels sis
ter.~ ]