The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-02
CHAPTER XVIII

Mr.. wilmet had sprung to his
feet.
But this Is preposterousl" he
cried. why why, was the one
who brought you herel II T.
Because, Inspector" - Chan
dra's voice was gentle purr -
"another trait Earl Talbert shared
with his aunt, Inspector, was the
delusion that, single handed, he
could outwit the world. But now
the clairvoyant stood, suddenly
very tall, 1t seemed TO Christine,
over the clustering little man -
he Is going to tell the whole
story.
You are going TO tell us, my
friend, how gloating over the trick
BY which you robbed your aunt
~ years ago, you persuaded your
self that you were sufficiently the
master mind for a much more
daring crime - doubt II you
intended murder In the beginning
But probably, after you had drag
Red Mrs. Talbert and taken what
you supposed 10 be valuable bonds,
you realized that she mad recog-
nized you
IT didn't" Mr.. Wilmet's round
face was white and drenched with
sweat IT why, never heard
Of the woman before last night.
Inspector, he's trying to-
for Gods sake, don't let him do
thisl"
He was covering before the
clairvoyant as he might before an
evil genius.
For without any Of the trap
pings or stage setting Of his craft,
Chandra was again the Oriental
mystic Christine had seen that
other night; his voice was the
purring, hypnotic voice OF the
seer; his blazing yellow eyes held
Mr.. Wilmets eyes as II In q snare,
II was mummery - but II was
terribly convincing mummery.
"Tell them" he commanded,
nov, before you had drugged your
aunt into helplessness, you forced
her TO write those letters. Tell them
how, after you had held her in her
own car while you made sure Jaspar
had obeyed her orders, you drove
her, by night, 70 her own aban-
aoned home, and hid her there
while you rified the house for
anything you might find that
could help 10 opint suspicion TO
someone else
Tell them that you even felt
safe In leaving her alone there,
drugged as she was, because you
remembered her prejudice against
III police, and you knew that
Jaspaf would respect her orders,
Tell them how you found
Miss Thorensens photograph and
her telegram, saying when she
would arrive, and thought how
eunningly you might turn them to
your own advantage -.
Perhaps. OF f!rst, you consid-
cred killing your aunt there In
her empty house; but II was nee
essaFy 10 your infantile exhibi-
tionism TO do the thing In q really
spectacular way, and you had
more Ideas than you knew what
10 do with them. Tell them how,
after you had entered the house
with Mrs. Talbert's own key
"But how could ~" Mr.. Will
NETS cry was shrill with tri-
umph. "Why, she didn't have 0
key"
Jaspar broke O shocked silence.
Hes right, Inspector" he MUIR
injured. Mrs Talbert hadn't
taken her key with her."
Christine, watching a. II In Q
fantastic nightmare, saw the little
man freeze % he understood how
much no had told In those Ave
words; then leap 10 his feet and
dash blindly, straight into the arms
Of two uniformed men who had
appeared In the doorway.
"det his keys" inspector order
Cd.
When one Of the ofiicers hand
Cd the ring 10 him, he passed II
TO Jaspar, Q silent question In the
gesture.
eyes, SIR" Jaspar almost whis-
pered. 1.-THE middle one"
sAn right. Take him 10 the
bureau i" Well" - even Inspee-