Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1937-07-15
Copyright S. S. Van Dine
WNU Service
CHAPTER XI-Continued

Vance jumped down and turned
to us.
'Frightfully sorry" he said.
"Height does affect most people. I
didn't realize" He looked at the
girl. "Will you forgive me? ="
AS he spoke Floyd Garden
stepped out on the roof through the
passageway door.
"Sorry, Vance," he apologized,
''but Doc Siefert wants Miss Beeton
downstairs-if she feels equal to it.
The mater is putting on one of her
acts"
The nurse hurried away inmedi-
ately, and Garden strolled up to
Vance. He was again fussing with
his pipe.
"a beastly mess" he mumbled.
"And you've certainly put the fear
of God and destruction into the
hearts of the pious boys and girls
here this afternoon. They all got
the jitters after you talked with
them" He looked up. "The fact is,
Vance, if you should want to see
Kroon or Zalia Graem or Madge
Weatherby for any reason this eve
ming, they'll be here. They've all
asked to come. Must return to the
scene of the crime, or something of
that kind. Need mutual support"
Perfectly natural. Quite" Vance
nodded. II understand their feel
ings Beastly mess, as you say
.. And now suppose we 60 down."
Doctor Siefert met us at the foot
of the stairs.
81 was just coming up for you,
Mr.. Vance. Mrs. Garden insists on
seeing you gentlemen" Then he
added in a low tone: "She's in
tantrum. A bit hysterical. Don't
take anything she may say too Sc
riously."
We entered the bedroom. Mrs.
Garden, in a salmon-pink silk dress
ing gown, was in bed, bolstered up
by collection of pillows. Her face
was drawn and, in the slanting rays
of the night-light, seemed fabby
and unhealthy. Her eyes glared de-
moniacally as she looked at us, and
her fingers clutched nervously at
the quilt. Miss Beeton stood at the
far side of the bed, looking down at
her patient with calm concern; and
Professor Garden leaned heavily
against the window-sill opposite, his
face a mask of troubled solicitude.
II have something to say, and I
want you all to hear it." Mrs. Gar
denis voice was shrill and strident.
''My nephew has been killed to-
day-and I know who did it!'' She
glared venomously at Floyd Garden
who stood near the foot Of the bed,
his pipe hanging Imply from the
corner of his mouth. "You did it'll"
She pointed an accusing finger at
her son. you've always hated
Woody. You've been jealous of him.
No one. else had any reason to do
this despicable thing. I suppose I
should lie for you and shield you.
But to what end? So you could kill
somebody else? You killed Woody,
and I know you killed him. And I
know why you did it :"
Floyd Garden stood through this
trade without moving and without
perceptible emotion.
"And why did I do it, mater?"
because you were jealous of
him. Because you knew that had
divided my estate equally between
you two-and you want it all for
yourself. You always resented the
fact that I loved Woody as we'll as
you. And now you think that by
having got Woody out of the way,
you'll get everything when die.
But you're mistaken. You'll get
nothing! Do you hear me? Nothing!
Tomorrow I'm going to change my
will. Woody's share will 60 to your
father, with the stipulation that you
will never get or inherit a dollar of
it. And your share will 60 to chart
ty." She laughed Historically and
beat the bed with her clenched fists.
Doctor Siefert had been watching
the woman closely. He now moved
little nearer the bed.
can ice-pack, immediately" he
said to the nurse; and she went
quickly from the room. Then he
busted himself with his medicine
case and deity prepared hypo-
dermic injection.
The woman relaxed under his pa
tient dictatorial scrutiny and per-
mitted him to give her the injec-
ton. She lay back on the pillows,
staring blankly at her son. The
nurse returned to the room and ar
ranged the ice-bag for her patient.
Doctor Siefert then quickly made
out a prescription and turned to
Miss Beeton.
"Have this filled at once. A tea
spoonful every two hours until Mrs.
Garden falls asleep
Floyd Garden stepped forward
and took the prescription.
"I'll phone the pharmacy" he
said. 'It'L take them only a few
minutes to send it over" And he
went out of the room.
AS we passed the den door, we
could hear Floyd Garden telephon-
ing.