The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-05-26
|E:AI' kiIDAIAP MURDER ~
80 - 60, 6Y S. S. Van Dine ...ss..-

Before the man had time to say
anything Vance continued lacka-
daisically.
."By the by, Mr.. Quaggy are you
particularly interested in black OPP
ais? I noticed a jolly good pair Of
them on your desk yesterday"
"And if I am, what then?"
Queer, don't v know" Vance
went on 'that there are no repre-
sentative black opals in Kar Kent
ing's collection. Blank spaces in
the case where they should be.
can't imagine, really, how an expert
collector of semiprecious stones
should have overlooked so import
ant an item as the rase black opal.
ct get the implication. Anything
else?" Quaggy was standing relaxed
but motionless in front of Vance
Slowly he moved one foot forward
as if shifting the burden OF his
weight from an overtired leg. BY
an almost imperceptible movement
his foot came to within few inch
es of Vance's shoe.
Really, y know" Vance said
with a cold smile, lifting his eyes to
the man, II shouldn't try if I were
you-unless, of course, you wish to
have me break your leg and dislo-
cate your hip. I'm quite familiar
with the trick. Picked it up in ia
pan." ~
Quaggy abruptly withdrew his
foot, but said nothing.
81 found a balas-ruby in KaSpaT
Kenting's dinner jacket yesterday
morning" Vance proceeded calmly
"a balas-ruby is also missing from
the collection across the hall. In
terestin' mathematical item-eh?"
what the hell's interesting about
it?" retorted the other with sheer
81 was only wonderful" he said,
eff there might be some connection
between that imitation ruby and
the black opals in your apartment
By the by, do you care to men
ton where you obtained such valu-
able gem specimens?"
Quaggy did not answer, and
Vance turned to the District At.
torney.
81 think, in view of the gentle
mans attitude, Markham, and the
fact that he is the last person known
to have been with the missing Kas'
par, it would be advisable to hold
him as a material witness"
81 came by those opalS legiti-
mately," Quaggy said quickly. !
bought them from Kaspar last night,
as he said he needed some immedi'
ate cash for the evening".
''I've suspected for a long time,
Mrs. galloway said, chat Kaspar
had been resorting to that collection
of gems for gambling money. -.
But I'm very tired, and I'm suffi.
GENTLY rested now to return to my
room" =
"But Mrs. galloway" blurted
Renting, don't understand your
being in the park tonight. Why
WHY"
"Mr. Vance understands" she an
swered CURLY. Her gaze shifted
from Renting and the seemed to
take us all with a gracious glance
"Good night, gentlemen"
She started undeadly toward the
door, and Vance sprang to her side.
Permit me, madam, to accom-
pany you. It's long climb to your
room" ..-ss.,....
The woman bowed courteous
acknowledgment and, for the sec
ond time that evening, took his
arm. Markham, with a significant
look at the Sergeant, left his chair
and took the woman's free, arm.
Health moved closer to Quaggy who
remained standing. Mrs. galloway,
with her two escorts, went slowly
from the drawing-room, and fol
lowed them.
She found it necessary to pause
momentarily at each step, and when
we reached her room she sank in
to the large wicker armchair with
the air of a person wholly exhaust
ed.
II should like to ask one or two
questions, if you are not too weary,
said Vance