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Show au -- - UTAH - - Z ir tTTi v. - 1Vi .' - EC EHHEIL JT ID) TT?i T?7 1D (C Tk 3 F. Heath hesitated. "Well. I guess not Too been working all day and I didn't tell you to keep awake. But a guy's been stabbed right down the ball from you, and be called for help and now yoo know nothln' about It" The sergeant shook his head with disgust. "Welt go on back and see If you can keep awake for a while." Burke went out "My fault" the sergeant explained. "After alt you can't blame him, Mr. SYNOPSIS Pfcilo Vance, crime expert, lnyentl-gaie- e the supposed suicide of archer Co. With District Attorney Murkham. fee goea to Coe's bouM. Tbejr find Wrede, a frlead of Coe'a, thara. aleo Blgnor Orassl. a truest. The door of the sjeata chamber la bolted from the inside. They force 1L Coa la aealed. a revolver In bla right band and a bullet hole la bla temple. klarkhara thlnke It la auielda. Vance aaye It la murder. Medical Examiner boremue deelarea Coa had been dead for houra when tba bullet entered bla head. A wound, made by a dagger, la found a tba body, and there la proof that Coa waa fully dreaaed when he waa tabbed. Tba Inveattgatora find a wounded Scottish terrier In a room of tba Coe house. Vance declarea the ani- n mal will prove an Important connect-Ilink. Brtebane Coa, Archer'a brother, la believed to have left for Chicago the prevloua afternoon, but bla dead body la dlacovered In a closet In the Coa home. Vance Interrogatea the Chl-ee- e cook, Liang. Brtebane died from tab la the back, aa In Archer'a ease. Vance, eearchlng Brlabane'a coat, tnda waxed thread attached to a bent pla, and a darning needle. A llpetlck,t, dlecorered In Archer Coe'a tndtcatea that a woman callrd n him the night of the murder. By manipulating the atrlng, the bent pin and the darning needle found In pocket, Vance bolts Archer Coe's door from the outside. Vance finds the owner of a dog Wrede had wned and given away, and determines that the animal Buffered at Wrede's hands, a ratal Is atabbed. lie saya be did not aea his mysterious assailant, who came In at night. Vance." waate-fcaake- Brie-bane- CHAPTER VIII 's Continued 12- -Th dagger lay on the library table In almost exactly the same spot where we had left tt the afternoon before; but now there was undrled blood upon It and Its condition told us, only too plainly, that It was the weapon which had been used to strike through Grass's arm. "But why," asked Markham with a puzzled frown, "should the man who attempted to kill GrassI bring the weapon back hero to the library?" "Probably," replied Vance, "for the game reason that the person who tabbed Archer and Brisbane Coe put the dagger In the vase In this same room. At least there's a certain consistency In the actions of our stab-ber." "You think." asked Markhsm, "that the same person who stabbed the Coes attempted Grassl's life also?" "Why leap at conclusions?" sighed Vance. "There are so many other things to be ascertained before we can reach any Intelligent conclusion." "For Instance?" Vance arranged himself comfortably In a large chair. "Well." he said, Inhaltng deeply on bis cigarette. "I could endure to bear the various persons Inside and outside the house chant their runes as to what they know of tonight's happenings. , . . And there are other things which might bear casual scrutiny to wit: Why did Grassl's call for help not arouse Miss Lake on the third floor ere It penetrated to Gamble's ears? And what hath yon Cerberus on the front stone steps to say about those who may have come and gone tonight? And where, and doing what, was the subtle Mr. Liang during the upheaval? And also what of the doughty guard which I asked to hare stationed In Archer Coe'a bedroom tonight?" Heath, who during the entire time we had been at the Coe house had been In a state of silent but aggressive Indecision, stood up and squared bis shoulders. "Well, Mr. Vance, we'll get all of your Questions answered pronto. I'm telling the world I'd like to get the answers myself. 1 asked that detective out front who'd been In here tonight, and he said nobody. But we'll ask him again." He threw the door open. "Come here, Sullivan," he bawled; and the dejected figure we had passed on the front steps came Into the library. "A guy's been stabbed here," Heath blustered. "You told me no one had come In or gone out the front door. But this Is serious business, and we want you to rack your brain. If any, and tell ua what you know." Detective Sullivan was both abashed and defiant. "I told you. Sergeant," he Insisted, "that I've been sitting on those steps since seven o'clock tonight and nothing or nobody, so much as a cockroach, has passed me, goln' or comln'." "Maybe you went to sleep and just dreamed It all," the sergeant suggested sarcastically. "That's enough. Sergeant," said Vance mildly. "I think Sullivan ts tell-inthe trath. I have a feeling that no one came In the front door tog night" Sullivan was sent back to the front steps and Heath went Into the hall. "111 find out about Burke In Coe's room," he offered. A moment later he appeared with Detective Burke In tow. Tell Mr. Markham and Mr. Vance." lie ordered" gruffly, "what you've bpen ' doing all Mght"? "I Burke admitted vtceplng." frankly. "I pulled op a chair acalnst the door and forgot my troubles. Was there anything the matter with that, .v ; : 'frftrenntr rn "Burke wouldn't have been able to help us anyway, I'm afraid," Vance consoled him. . . . "Suppose we commune with Gamble." The butler was brought In. He was a pitiful figure as be stood before us In questioning fear. "How do you account for the fact," Vance asked blm, "that you could hear Mr. Grassl's call from the second floor and that bis appeal for belp should entirely have missed the ears of Miss Lake who la on the floor between Mr. Grassl's room and yours?" Gamble swallowed twice and braced himself against the door. "That Is quite simple, sir," he said. "Miss Lake's boudoir Is at the rear of the bouse and there's a large parlor between her boudoir and the door leading Into the halt I, sir, leave my door open on the fourth floor. In case the front door bell should ring or I should be called." When Gamble had been sent back to the upper halt Vance sighed and crushed out his cigarette. "Welt that explains that . . . Really, y' know, Markham, we don't seem to be moving with what might be called precipitate rapidity." He lit a fresh cigarette and stood up. "I think I'll take a look at the rear of the house. Would you care to stagger along?" The sergeant nodded sagely. "You think the guy that stabbed the Italian got In the back way, do you, Mr. Vance?" "I have come to the conclusion. Sergeant," Vance returned sadly, as he went toward the door leading Into the dining room, "that thinking at this hour of the morning Is a frightful waste of effort" We followed him toward the kltrhen. As he opened the door leading Into the butler's pantry, I was surprised to see a rectangular line of light around the kitchen door. Vance halted momentarily. "I wonder he murmured, as If to himself. And then: "No, no; Gamble wouldn't have dared come near the rear of the house he's In a blue funk." He proceeded across the pantry and pushed open the swinging door Into the kitchen. Under the central light, seated at a large table of white pine, was Liang, fully dressed, and with a green pulled down to the bridge of his nose. Before him on the table were a pile of books and many sheets of scattered paper. As we entered be rose and faced us, removing his smiled pleasantly and made a stiff bow. "Good evening, Mr. Liang," Vance greeted him amiably. "You're working rather late." "I had many things to do tonight my work had accumulated. My month- - ..." eye-sha- eye-shad- engaged in your liter'ry labors. Signer Grass! was subbed." There was no change of expression on the Chinaman's face as he answered: That Is most unfortunate." "Yes, yes, quite," Vance's tone was slightly Irritable. "But did you, ty any chance, hear anyone or see anyone en- ter the rear door this evening?" Liang shook bis bead slightly in a slow and Indifferent negative. "No," be said. "No one. to my know ledge, entered by the rear door. . . . Perhaps the front door " "Many thanks for the suggestion." Vance interrupted with a shrug; "but there's been some one guarding it" "Ah!" The Chinaman moved his eyes a little until they rested on a point somewhere above Vance's head. "That is Indeed interesting. . . . Perhaps the den window" "An excellent suggestion! Our gratitude, and all that Mr. Liang," Vance murmured. "I'll have a look at the window. . . . Pray continue with your work." And he led the way back through the dining room into the library. "Well, what about it?" grumbled Heath. "A swell lot you learned from that Chink." "Stilt Sergeant" Vance, returned, "it was kind of Mr. Liang to suggest the den window. Why not take a peep at It?" Heath hesitated, squinted, and then went" swiftly across the hall into the drawing room. We could hear him open the den door and walk heavily across the small room. A few moments later he returned to the library. "There's something d n queer about this," he announced. "Maybe the Chink was right after all. The den window was open and the sofa that was In front of It was pulled out at a cockeyed angle." He glanced at Markham helplessly. "Maybe somebody did get in and out of that window, Chief. . . . Anyhow, where do we go from here?" "Home and to bed, my dear Pepys," said Vance. "This Is no hour for respectable people to be up. Theresa nothing more to be done here." CHAPTER IX The Six Judges. Vance rose early that morning. I myself was around at nine o'clock and was surprised to find him In street clothes and on the point of leaving the bouse. "I'll be back In half an hour, Van," he said, as he went out but gave no further explanation. Fifteen minutes later Markham arrived, and he bad waited but ten minutes when Vance came In. He was carrying the Scotch terrier bitch In his arms. There was a dressing on her head held In place by adhesive tape, but otherwise she seemed alert and well. "Morning, Markham," Vance greeted the district attorney. "Really, y' know, I didn't expect you so early. I've Just toddled over to Doctor Blarney's to see how the little Scotch lassie was getting along and here she Is." Markham looked at him skeptically. "You still think you can trace the person we want through that dog?" "It's our only hope," Vance told him seriously. "The case is far too complicated as It stands there are too many contradictions. I am sure that you, as a prosecuting attorney, could pin the various crimes on any one of three or four people. But until I have traced the ownership and peregrinations of this Scottle. I shan't be satisfied." IMS "Mr. Using, gaged Slgno-- - While You Ware EnYour tlter'ry tabors, Grass! Was Stabbed." In ly report to the Ta Tao Huel is overI trust I have not discomdue. moded the household. " "You have been working all night here in the kitchen?" Vance asked, going to the porch door and trying ... (It was locked.) , m S ih Sc: :.a - jfliJH I u it "Since eight o'clock." the Chinaman returned. "May I be of any service to you?" "Oh, no end." Vance sauntered back and. perched himself on a high stool. "Have you been aware of anything unusual In the house tonight Mr. Liang?" The man looked mildly surprised. "Quite the contrary. It seemed very peaceful after the excitement today." "Restful eh, what? Astonlshln'l And yet, Mr. Liang, while you wera Markham frowned. "Just how ilo you Intend to go about It?" "As I told you, Markham, this little bitch Is In perfect show condition. She's been trimmed and conditioned by an expert, and It seems pretty certain that she's been entered In some show recently. My guess Is, from her condition, thnt she's been shown within the last month. And it's simple enough to find what shows have been held within a reasonable radius of New York during thnt period." He went Into the library and returned with his file of Popular Pops. Sitting down In his easy chair he began running his finder down the calendar of official dog shows. "Now, let's see," he murmured. "During the past month there has been held around New York the show at Syracuse make a note of these, will you. Van? Then came the Cornwall show; and after that. Tuxedo. And a week later was the Camden show, which was followed by Westbury, and also the Englewood show. . . . That brings us pretty well up to date, and they are all possibilities. This dog is too young to have won any Important blue ribbons, and therefore my guess would be thnt her entries would have been In the puppy end novice classes. . . . It's not an Important matter, although It limits and facilitates my Investigation somewhat" "It sounds like shooting Into the dark." Markham was far from convinced. "You're right to a certain extent" Vance agreed. "But there's a simpler way of determining the dog's owne- rshipand Vance I shall try that first." stood looking bandaged Scottle, down at the i . lit' 4 l 1 By OH S. S. Van Dine Coprrleht y W. H. VTNXf The more I see of ber. Markham. are the more I'm convinced that there In this part of men five about only such the country who could have done a perfect Job of trimming. William Prentice could have done it; and McNab. George Winiberly. and Jimmy and Ellery Burke, and Steve Parton. Vance walked round the dog several times, studying her. "Wimberly Is in Boston, so we may eliminate blm on the grounds of distance. McNab is working in a private capacity for a kennel on Long Island, and I hardly think be would qualify. Both Burke and Parton are fairly distant from New York, although they -- are certainly possibilities." He knelt down and ran his hand over the contour of the dog's neck and lifted the hair along the spine. Then he stood up. "William Prentice! That's the chap. That outline of the neck and the back has been achieved by a master hand, and there's no greater master at that In this country than Prentice. Furthermore, he's only a short distance I think I'll try from New York, him first If he did trim this dog he may be able to give us some Information as to her ownership." As soon as Markham had left as that morning, we drove to Mr. Prentice's famous Barlae kennels at N. J. Mr. Prentice took one look at the dog In Vance's arms. "How d' ye do, Mr. Vance," was his greeting. (Vance had known him for years.) "A good one, yon bitch." "You know her, then?" asked Vance eagerly. Wright Service New Eng-lab- d the dog has been shown in or the South. But if that were ? ew York the case, why is she here in now?" .. He was downcast; I realized for the counted on first time bow much he had to terrier help blm Scottish this stray was which crime In the solution of the was Just it But him. perplexing darkthe moment when things seemed est that a ray of light was introduced Mr. Stlne-meInto the situation. It was the last of the Judges we congave Vance the informa- tt U sultedwho tion he was seeking. Vance showed him the little lost ever bitch and asked him if he had Mm Mac-Bain- 's home. "This Is almost our last chance," Vanca observed dejectedly, "unless BOMB 1XDCSTS? i ii Wui that conditions will be produce that would make the use of carreni Carrene has beat dangerous." tasted, smelled and handled by thousands of people throughout ti country without any ill effects be ing noticeable. Fruit Acids Discolor Bruises Fruits discolor after bruising It cause of certain chemical excites h, "Ay." "His daughter, perhaps?" A shrewd twinkle came Into the Scotsman's eyes. "I hae me doots," was all he vouchsafed. Vance seemed In better spirits. "In any event. Van," he said, "we can now go ahead with a certain assurance of success. If only Prentice had taken the owner's name and address, how simple everything would have been." Returning to his apartment be telephoned to the American Kennel club and obtained the names of the Scottish terrier Judges in the six shows he had selected as the most likely ones where the bitch might have been exhibited. The six Judges turned out to be Marguerite Klrmse, Karl B. Smith. Edwin Megargee, William MacBain, Morgan Stinemetz, and Robert D. Hartshorne. Vance glanced down the list of names he had made. "Now, let us see what we can find out." He turned to the telephone and kept It busy for the best part of half an hour. Then he rose and took the dog In his arms. "Come, Van, our Itlner'ry begins." Mr. Hartshorne, Vance's first selection, showed a keen Interest In the dog and went over her carefully. But he could not remember having Judged her In the show at which he had officiated. He said he would have been sure to have remembered her because of her outstanding qualities; but he was unable to give us any help. Mr. MacRain was not in his office that day and Mr. Karl Smith was unable to help us. He was quite sure that the dog had not been shown under him ; so we went to call on Mr. Megan: ce. But here again we met with disappointment, for he was not able to identify the dog as having been entered In the show at which he Judged. Things began to appear discouraging, and Vance was not In the best humor as we drove to the eastside winter studio of Mrs. Marguerite Klrmse Cole. Rut to no avail. Mrs. Cole was positive the dog had not been an entry under her Judgeship. It was past four In the afternoon when we arrived at Mr. William Diehard kennels In Closter, N. J. Mr. MacBnln showed an Intense Interest In the dog tbat Vance had brought to him. but was unable to Identify her. Vance had drawn another blank In his Investigation of the wounded dog's ownership. Ho had succeeded in locating the New York office of Mr. Stinemetz. but, on phoning, learned that he was not In the city that day but could undoubtedly be found at bis country Ww make areipek Carrene as Refrigerant The national bureau of standards ays, "It is very improbable, in single unit domestic installation, ... "Ay." "And you trimmed her?" "Ay." "And about how long ago might that be?" "I couldna say exactly, but it was after the first of September." "Whose bitch is It?" "That I couldna say. A lady and a gentleman drove up one afternoon and asked me If I could trim the deg at once. I said 'ay,' and I trimmed It" Vance eeemed disappointed. "What sort of man brought the dog to you? Could you describe him?" "Ay. He was a large man, around fifty, and he had little enough to say." "And the woman?" "She was young and not difficult to look at" "A blonde?" communities Fresperoua aaa individuals. LETS PATRONIZE known as phenolases which bring about the oxidization of carbolis acid or its compounds existing the fruits. "GRAINS OF GOLD" TUB WHOLE WHEAT CEREAt "Makes Cream Taste Better" "But, as I Remember, Some Younj Woman With tittle or" No Experience Brought Her Into the Ring." her. Mr. Stinemetz looked at her closely for a moment, took her In his arms and stood her on the show table in his main kennel. "Yes," he said slowly, after a minute's Inspection ; "I not. only Judged her, but I put ber up, three weeks ago at Englewood. She won the puppy bitch class, and I would have given her a first Instead of a second in the novice class, If she had shown properly. But as I remember, some young woman- - with little or no experience brought her into the ring. Naturally, she could get no response from the dog. I tried to help her out, but it was hopeless; and I had to give the blue to a bitch that had the style and the ring manners, but who wasn't quite this one's equal In anatomy. . . . There was one slight fault in the mouth, however." Mr. Stinemetz held back the dog's Hps, exposing ber teeth. "You see this upper Incisor : It's out of place. But it's not a serious fault There's many a champion with a much worse mouth." Vance thanked him for his help and added: "Do you happen to know what bitch this Is, or who owns her?" Mr. Stinemetz shook his head. "No, I never saw her before she must be a newcomer. I didn't see a catalogue of the show and there were no postmortems at the Judge's table after the show." Vance left Mr. Stlnemetz's kennels In a much happier frame of mind. "Tomorrow," he said, as we drove home through the gathering dusk, "we will know the owner's name." Immediately upon our arrival In New York, Vance telephoned to Markham at his home, and learned that there had been no developments in the case during the day. GrassI had returned to the Coe house at eleven o'clock that morning, evidently very little the worse for his experience of the previous night He had wished to go to a hotel, but Markham had prevailed upon him to remain at the Coe residence until some light had filtered Into the case, and Grass! had reluctantly agreed to do so. Western Made For Western Trads Ask Your Grocer THIS WEEK'S PRIZE STORY Judged TO BE CONTINUED. Duties in Coast Guard The dally routine of all men In the Coast Guard service Is not the same. In general the duties of the Coast Guard may be classified as follows: Rendering assistance to vessels In distress and saving life and property; destruction or removal of wrecks! derelicts and other floating dangers to navigation; conduct of International Ice patrol In North Atlantic qcean; extending medical aid to American vessels engaged In deep-sefisheries; protection of the customs revenue; prevention of smuggling; operating as a part of the navy in time of war or when the President shall direct; suppression of mutinies on merchant protection of game, seal and otter fisheries in Alaska; enforcement of laws and regulations governing merchant vessels In navigable waters Immigration quarantine, neutrality' regattas and marine parades. a ves-sel- The Confederate Whlta House The White House of the Confederacy. In Richmond. 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O. Box 1515 Salt Lake City. " yonr story appears In this column you will re- - S."l UU eciye check for tr ff ijjt.w The Coon Oyster oyster is one growin? wild near shore, where it can easily be obtained by a raccoon. Tij name originated in the SoutB. where these oysters are often callea strap oysters because their clu tered manner of growth maWj them long, narrow and thin. A coon Mothers Disappointment Jud Tunkins aays mothers tt sometimes disappointed because l boy insists on .trying to be a imitatiM of cit.i?en instead the hero of ber favorita novaJ, plain.-usefu- ' |