Montana oil and mining journal., 1939-05-27

| Withers grtnly.
1t was starting to rain as a squad
car whisked them northward along
slippery streets at so miles an hour
but presumably it was worth a few
new gray hairs to arrive at the Ak
minister Arms before even the first Of
the precinct detectives.
There were chattering elevator boys
and radio car officer at the door OF
{ the 20th-floor apartment and, inside
the spacious foyer another radio Of
ficer was believing his report into a
| telephone. He looked up, registered
/ surprise, and indicated an open door.
In there, inspector"
Oscar Piper stopped in the doorway
/ of the library, the two women peering
over his shoulder. There, on the floor
beside the windows, lay the husk of
an old man, his right hand loosely
grasping a revolver. Peter Voorhis had
never been particularly handsome, but
now the wide eyes and protruding
tongue gave him the air Of jeering
gargoyle. His face was livid, and
around his neck, so tightly that the
band of silk was embedded in the
flesh, had been tied his bright blue
necktie.
"Strangled, and very neatly, too, ("
pronounced sallow young DR.. Levin,
deputy medical examiner. Body tenn
peratlre, So $40, so it must have
happened within the last hour" He
stood up, scribbling on an official form.
I'm post him at Bellevue morgue to-
night"
So it was that old Peter voorhis, In
a wicker basket, was smuggled inglor-
iously out Of his apartment house by
way Of the service exit, while upstairs,
the grim-faced inspector marshaled
his little army Of photographers, fin
gerprtnt men, lock experts, and homi-
eide specialists.
IF you ask me-" Miss withers de-
clared when she finally caught Piper
alone In the hallway, there are some
extremely unusual angles to this case.
Why did the murderer send a warning
postcard. Why did he address his vic
tim as Esquire, Why did he use
purple ink2"
Madam" Piper growled. what I
want to know Is, how did the killer
get IN? Locks are all okay. And why
Strangle the old n1an2 There's an UNI
brella stand full of heavy walking
sticks IN the hall, a cabinet fun Of
daggers IN the library. Weapons ga
lore :"
IF you ask me-" Miss withers began
again. But he was gone.
"See If you can't doctor that Minis
woman into shape" he called back
over his shoulder. Wen want to talk
to her"
Unhappily, Miss withers returned to
her task Of administering to the COM
pletely hysterical Ada Minis. Stretched
out on a divan IN the drawing room,
the confidential secretary choked and |
ypluttered under q dose Of brandy /
which Miss Withers had discovered IN /
the little gymnasium bar, opening off 4
the han. Now, the woman was moan |
ing
SIf only hadn't left him alone !.
Z only
Have some more brandy" the school
'eacher urged.
Minis shook her head. Tiff I
,ould have Just a cup Of tea"
Miss Withers obligingly explored un-
II she found the kitchen, placed q
Kettle over the gas ring, found pack
lge of tea bags. She was pouring the
Iteaning water into a cup when she
heard faint noise, and looked UP
% see that the knob Of the outer door
vas gently turning.
Armed forTnidably with the kettle, II
he intrepid schoolma'am crossed the
DOM on tiptoe, caught the knob, and
lung the door open. She looked out
nto a service hail, looked into the
urprtsed eyes Of a plump, smiling
nan. He was over-dressed, foreign,
Ilmost foppish. At once he stepped
'ack, with perfect poise.
Mias Withers understood at once. he