The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-06-09

MdIhlld1Il III q OAoPAAAeSA VSA' ~~A
there some step you can suggests"
"Well, yes. But it won't help
much. propose that first we ask one
or two questions of the gentlemen
downstairs. And then propose
that we go into the yard and take
a look at the ladder"
"And after that I proposed that
we go home and 'bide our time"
When we reached the drawing
room we found all four Of its oc-
cupants anxious and alert.
'sHave you learned anything?'
asked Fraim galloway, in semi
hysterical falsetto.
"We're not through looking round
yet" Vance returned placatingly.
s'We hope to know something def
mite very soon. Just now, however,
I wish to ask each of you gentle
men question"
what is your favorite perfume
Mr.. Fleel?"
The man stared at him in blank
establishment, and I am sure that
had he been in courtroom, he
would have appealed instantly to
the judge with the usual incompe-
nt-irrelevant-and-i mmaterial OBJ
lection. However, he managed a
conscending smile and replied:
II have no favorite perfume
know nothing about such things. It's
true, send bottles of perfume to
my women clients at Christmas in
stead of that conventional flower
baskets, but I always leave the Sc
lection to my secretary"
"Do you regard Mrs. Renting as
one of your women clients?" Vance
continued.
Naturally" answered the lawyer.
'By the by, Mr.. Fleel, is your
secret'ry blond or brunette?"
81 don't know. I suppose you'd
call her a brunette"
'sMany thanks" said Vance curt
ly.
what is your favorite scent, Mr.
Falloway?"
CT don't know" galloway STAN
mered. "Tm not familiar with such
feminine matters. But I think en-
raid is wonderful-so mysterious
so exotic-so subtle"
you're quite right" murmured
Vance; and then he focused his gaze
on Kenyon Renting.
"'A1 perfumes smell alike to me,
was the mans annoyed assertion be-
fore Vance could frame the ques-
ton again. Il can't tell one from
another-except gardenia."
".'And how about you, Mr.. Quag-
gy?" Vance asked lightly. IF you
were giving a lady perfume, what
scent would you select?"
81 haven't yet been guilty of such
foolishness," Quaggy replied. 81
stick to flowers. They're easier
But if I were compelled to present
fair creature with perfume, I'd
first find out what she liked"
"Quite a sensible point of view,'
murmured Vance, rising as if with
great effort and turning. "And
now, I say, Sergeant, let's have a
curs'ry look at that ladder"
We walked down the front steps,
and for the second time we went
through the street gate leading into
the yard.
The short grass was entirely dry,
and the ground had completely
hardened since the rain two nights
ago. Vance again bent over at the
foot of the ladder while Heath held
the fashlight.
''There's no need to fear any
spelling your adored footprints to-
night, Sergeant,-the ground is
much too hard" Vance straight
ened up after a moment and moved
the ladder slightly to the right, as
he had done the previous morning.
"And don't get jittery about the fin
ger-prints. Sergeant" he went on.
''I'm quite convinced you'll find
none This ladder, I opine, is mere
ly stage-prop, as it were; and the
person who set it here was clever
enough to have used gloves"
He bent over again and inspected
the lawn, but rose almost immedi-