Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1937-04-08

him and find out exactly what's
back of his cryptography?"
"My dear Markham - oh, my
dear Markham! Siefert would not
only Indignantly repudiate any
knowledge of the message, but
would automatically become the
first obstacle in any bit of pryin' !
might decide to do. The ethics OF
the medical profession are most
fantastic; and Siefert, as becomes
his unique position, is fanatic on
the subject. From the fact that he
communicated with me in this
roundabout way I rather suspect
that some grotesque point of honor
is involved. Perhaps his conscience
overcame him for the moment, and
he temporarily relaxed his adher-
ence to what he considers his code
of honor No, no, that course
wouldn't do at all. I must ferret
out the matter for mysef-as he
undoubtedly wishes me to do"
".But what is this matter that you
feel called upon to ferret out?" per-
sisted Markham. Granting all you
say, I still don't see how you can
regard the situation as in any way
serious
Zone never knows, does one?"
drawled Vance. "Still, I'm rather
fond of the horses myself, don't
y'know."
Markham seemed to relax and
fitted his manner to Vance's change
of mood.
"And what do you propose to do?"
he asked good naturally.
Vance looked up whimsically.
''The public prosecutor of New
York-that noble defender of the
rights Of the common people-to
wit: the Honorable John FIX. Mark
ham-must grant me immunity and
protection before I'll consent to an
swer."
Markham's eyelids dropped lit
tie as he studied Vance. He was
familiar with the serious import that
often lay beneath the others most
frivolous remarks.
care you planning to break the
law" he asked.
ooh, quite" he admitted
nonchalantly. "Jailable offense, I
believe"
Markham studied him for another
moment.
Cali right" he said, without the
slightest trace Of ightness. "I'll do
what I can for you. What's it to
be?"
Vance took another sip Of the
Napoleon.
''Well, Markham old DEAR" he
announced with half smile, "I'm
going to the Gardens penthouse to-
morrow afternoon and play the.
horses with the younger Set"
AS soon as Markham had left us
that night, Vance's mood changed.
A troubled look came into his eyes,
and he walked up and down the
room pensively.
IT don't like it, Van," he muir
INJURED, as if talking to himself. IT
don't at all like if. Siefert isn't
the. type to make a mysterious
phone call like that, unless he has a
very good reason for doing so. It's
quite out of character, don't y'know.
He's a dashed conservative chap,
and no end ethical. There must be
something worrying him deeply. But
why the Gardens apartment? The
domestic atmosphere there has al
ways struck me as at least super
ficially normal-and now man as
dependable as Siefert gets jittery
about it to the extent of indulging
in shillin' -shocker technique. It's
deuced queer"
He stopped pacing the floor and
looked at the clock.
II think I'll make the arrange
ments. A bit of snoopin' is highly
Indicated"
He went into the anteroom, and
moment later I heard him dialing
a number on the telephone. When
he returned to the library he
seemed to have thrown off his de-
preston. His manner was almost
Aippant.
'.We're, in for an abominable lunch
tomorrow, Van," he announced,
pouring himself another pony Of
cognac. "And we must torture our
selves with the viands at q most
ungodly hour-noon. What a time
to, INCEST even good food!" He
sighed. "We're lunching With young
Garden at his home. Woode Swift
will be there and also an insuffer.
able creature named Lowe Hamnle
horsy gentleman from SOME
obscure estate on Long Island. Lat
er we'll be joined by various mem
bers of the sporting set, and togeth-
er we'll indulge in that ancient anc
fascinatin' pastime of laying wag.
ers on the thoroughbreds."
He rang for Currie and sent him
out to fetch a copy of the Morning
Telegraph.
Zone should be prepared. Oh
quite. It's been years since handi
capped the horses"
Although I was well aware thai
Vance had some serious object ir
lunching with Young Garden the fol