Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-11-04
KITTEN FOR AND RELEASED BY CENTRAL PRESS AssOCIATQA
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

VITA UlS11llCCIdIlCS Wv .yOO
use at Hill House?" Lancy's grave
voice repeated the question, as we
all stared at him without answer
ing. To me it sounded crazy. What
on earth could disinfectants have
to do with the death of Mrs.
Peake?
Chloe's sweet voice broke the 81
lence:
II 'spects yo' means ammonya
an lysOl, SIR" she said. "Ain't
nOthin' else in the kitchen nor
anywheres else fur's know. Maybe
Miss Josie kin tell YOU some mo-"
''Can you?" Lancy addressed
NO." she said. $50 far as 1 know
those two, ammonia and lysol, are
the only two disinfectants we have
ever used Mother" she swallowed
hard and went on-"mOther used to
say that no one should use disin-
fectants except in an emergency.
That pure soap and water are all
the disinfectant q CLEAN house
needs"
"And quite agree with that SEN
timent," agreed Lancy cOurteOusly.
THAT is all I wished to ask you"
He rose as he spoke and gravely
bowed us out.
Beyond the Office door, Chloe
hurried away to the kitchen, while
Josie, Alan and I walked slowly
back to the lounge.
"Why in the world should Cap
tain Lancy want to know about
disinfectants ?" demanded Josie.
II can't see what bearing that can
have on" Her voice faltered and
stopped, as it usually did when she
referred to the police case.
II can't imagine" I returned.
But of one thing I'm positive.
Captain Lancy will solve the mys-
terry"
ooh, Sally" in Josie's sad eyes
shone a hopeful light, do you
really believe that ?"
II do" retorted firmly.
"You like him, don't you, Sally? ?"
Alan's voice held teasing infec-
ton which I nipped in the begin
ming.
II most certainly do like him and
respect him, not only as a man, but
as a noted detective. I've read
enough about him to know he never
gives up a case and, as far as
know, he has never lost one. Isn't
that enough to make us all trust
him and give him all the help we
can? Buff you insinuate that
I'm getting a crush on him, you're
crazy. He wouldn't look at me that
way, and as for me-my affections
are engaged elsewhere"
My voice was colder than drv
ice. I had never thought to make
such a statement, but it was as
we'll to let Alan know where I
stood.
Sorry, Sally" he meekly re-
turned. "I'm bit unbalanced TODAY
happiness, you know Just forget
it, will you?"
TO which I nodded a silent reply.
I had just SIZED Rhoda sitting in
the lounge and wanted to talk to
her.
"You won't need me for a while
Will you, Josie ?" asked.
mo, indeed, Sally. Take the rest
OF the day for yourself. You
need it."
l crossed the lounge on silent
feet and laid my hands on Rhoda's
shoulders before she realized was
anywhere near her.
"Well, Sally Gordon" she ex-
claimed, dropping her book to the
Hoor, its about time you thought
OF me. I bring you down here for
a vacation, and what do you do?
Become the chief cook and bottle
washer around which revolves this
entire establishment. haven't seen
you for days, except at meals"
Il know it, Rhoda, and I'm sorry.
but what was to do? You
wouldn't have me refuse to help
Josie out, would you?"
L would not, and you know it.
But you haven't been out of this
muse since Monday. Get your hat,
girl. I'm carrying you off for nice
long ride
Il don't know if 1 can go.
Rhoda," I said, a trife wistfullv.
Her idea appealed to me. 1 was
tlred OF staying in Hill House, and
1 was more tired of thinking of
nothlng but Mrs. Peake's murder.
Even if went, I thought wryly, I
wouldn't be free from that topic. II
knew Rhoda Dutton altoeether foo
we'll for that.
why can't you go?" she now
demanded, before my last word was
clearly enunciated.
It'll have to ask Captain Lancy.
You know he stipulated none Of us