Evening star., 1940-06-24
6be )ouse 60 b, Irene
on Beacon Street @"%o* {n%'a%

! O\1NI N'"'IN"N
you-?"
II hardly know myself why I
didn't give the alarm" he admitted
uneasily. II guess I wanted time to
think whether It was going to in
volve me-or-or you, Lucy. And
then I somehow wanted to get you
out Of the house."
But poor Uncle Luke. Some
thing might have been done for
him."
mo. He was dead, and had been
for some time. Anyway cyanide
acts instantly and there's no help
ing It,"
Lucy felt no. overwhelming grief
at Uncle Luke's death, only a dumb
unbelief and sense of dread and
horror at what it might bring to
all Of them. Uncle Luke had never
inspired affection, for he was too
self-engrossed and dictatorial. She
was thinking most especially of
Guy. If what Sandy Block was tell
ing her was true then what about
Guy?
AS If further divulging her
thoughts, Sandy Block said, II was
about to tell Chalmers the truth,
because eventually he'll find 1t out,
but then your brother Guy used
me as sort of an alibi"
II know" she whispered.
They heard Chalmers and his as
sistant Tony In the hall again.
Don't let any one 60 into that
study" Chalmers was saying, eW-
IDENTIFY to the officer by the door.
We'll want to go over 1t again
thoroughly this afternoon. There
must be something-somewhere"
No One Was Hungry.
It was noon. Bertha fixed some
lunch, but no one was hungry. Guy,
locked in his laboratory, told Lucy
sullenly that he wanted no lunch
and he wanted to talk to no one.
Inspector Chalmers, this time
without Tony, who he had set upon
the trail of Miss Rita Star, returned
to the house promptly at /. At
1:30 Uncle Merit came. Laval had
answered the ring, and as he swung
the ponderous door shut behind
Uncle Merit and in the face of three
or four eager reporters still besieg-
ing the house, Lucy came running
She flung herself into Uncle Merits
outstretched arms with a sob of re-
lief. Uncle Merit!" she cried, I'm
so glad you've come home"
whats happened?" Merit asked
Laval over Lucy's head. "At the
hotel in New Haven they said only
that something had happened to
Luke and I was to come at once" "
Lavars gaunt face worked and
his eyes glittered strangely. The
protruding lump on his skinny
throat moved spasmodically up and
down. 'I-Sir-Mr. Luke's dead"
"Dead?" Merit gasped incredul-
ously. "Dead?" He blinked and his
pleasant ruddy face whitened until
it was almost green.
Chalmers had stepped out of the
study and strode forward now. Lucy
introduced him to Uncle Merit.
Inspector Chalmers?" Merit said.
A policeman" He noticed then ap-
parently for the first time the on
Ger on duty In the hall. "Why, what
Is all this?"
Chalmers Breaks News.
"Your brother was murdered, I'm
afraid, Mr.. Granville" Chalmers
said quietly.
"Murdered?" his voice rose with
establishment.
ooh, Uncle Merit" Lucy said. tears
streaming down her face, I'm so
glad you're here now. It's also
horrible"
But who would want to murder
Luke?" Merit muttered. He scarce
ly seemed to have heard Lucy.
That's what I'd like to discuss
with you as soon as possible" Chal-
mer ssaid.
Il must see Elizabeth at once"
Merit murmured in that same dazed
voice. He started slowly up the long
staircase, pitful dapper little figure
He kept shaking his white head, as
If he didn't really believe Luke could
be dead. Poor Elizabeth" he was
muttering.
They all stood there watching, as
If fascinated with pity, until he had
disappeared around the corner of the
landing and then some one sighed.
Chalmers turned to Lucy. It won
der, my dear" he said kindly, "if
you would mind answering a few
questions for me?"
Lucy gave Sandy Block a fright
ened look before she answered. II
won't mind" she said.
Il wonder, Mr.. Block" Chalmers
said, while I'm talking to Miss
Lucy, would you please go ask Laval
and Bertha and also Uncle Merit, II
he's ready now, to come here to the
study?"
Eyes sir" Sandy went reluctantly,
throwing Lucy reassuring smile.
Lucy Talks Freely.
Now" Chalmers said, I'D like
you to tell me all you can about
your Uncle's personal habits" He
settled back, and waited for her to
begin. His eyes never left her face
as she explained all about Uncle
Luke's precise habits and schedules.
Shed almost finished her recital