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Show LEHI FREE PRESS. LEHl. UTAH sss sMssssss " I. LAND MOVING WESTWARD I The KENNEL MURDER CASE Copyright by W. H. By S. S. Van Dine Wrltt SYNOPSIS Phllo Vane, erlms expert Invsstl-fate- a tha supposed suitida of Archer Coa. With District Attorney Markham. he roea to Coe'a house. Tbey find Wrede, a friend of Coe'a, there; also Slgrnor Grass I, a sunt. The door of thee. death chamber la bolted from the They force It. Coe Is aeated. a revolver la bia right band and a but-lhole In hla temple. He ia clothed la a dressing gown, but wears street ehoes. Markham thinks It Is suicide. Vance aays It la murder. Medical Examiner Doremua declares Coe bad been dead for houra when the bullet entered bis head. A wound, made by a dagger, la found on the body, and there Is proof that Coe was fully dressed when be was stabbed. The Investigators find at wounded Scottish terrier in a room Of tha Coe bouse. Vance declares the animal will prove an Important link. Brisbane Coe, Archer'a brother, ia believed to have left for Chicago tha previous afternoon, but bla dead body Is discovered In a closet In tha Coa home. Vance Interrogates tha Chinese cook, Liang. A splinter of porcelain from a vase that has disappeared la found to have blood on It. et CHAPTER V Continued Heath gave orders to Burke to remain at the library door and see that no one entered the room. Gamble was told to stay In the front hall and answer the doorbell. "Which one of the babies do you Want first?" the Sergeant asked. "The Italian, by all means," said Vance. "He's frightfully upset, and therefore in an admirable state of mind for questioning. We'll keep Wrede till later he's teeming with possibilities." Orassl and the sergeant Joined us a few seconds later. "Mr. Crassl," Vance began without . preliminaries, "we should like to know exactly what your social and professional status Is In this house. We understand you have been a house guest ct Mr. Coe's for a week." The Italian had himself well In hand. He sat down In leisurely fash-- ; ion. ' "Yes that Is right." he returned, Vance with calm disdain. looking at 'I, came here at Mr. Coe's Invitation a week ago yesterday.' It was to have teen a fortnight's vlsy." Tlad you any 'business with Mr. ' Coe?" "Oh, yes. I am connected, in an offl- -' clal capacity, with a museum of antiquities In Milan," he explained; 'and 1 had hoped to be able to purchase from Mr. Coe certain specimens of Chinese ceramic art from his remarkable collection." "nis Ting yao vase, for example?" Grassl's dark eyes became suddenly brilliant with astonishment; but almost at once a wary look came into them, and he smiled with cold politeness. "I must admit I was Interested In the vase," he Bald. "It Is a magnificent epeclmen, of the amphora shape. . . . Have you examined It?" "No," Vance told him. "I've never eeen it . . . but I think I've had a fragment of It In my hand." Grassl stared. "A fragment!" "Yes; a small triangular piece," Vance nodded. Then he added : "I have grave fears Mr. Grassl that the Ting yao vase has been broken." The Italian Btlffened and his eyes Clouded with suspicious anger. "It's Impossible I I was Inspecting the vase only yesterday afternoon. It was on the circular table in the li- brary." "There's only a Tao Kuang vase there now," Vance Informed him. "And where, may I be permitted to ask, did you find this fragment of Ting yao?" "On the same table," Vance replied carelessly. "Beneath the Tao Kuang." "Indeed T" There was a sneer In the inflection of the word. Vance appeared to ignore It He came closer to the Italian. "I understand from Gamble that you left the house at about four o'clock yesterday afternoon." "That Is correct I had a business appointment for dinner and the evening." ' "Vith whom?" i "Is that information necessary?" "Oh, very." Vance met the other's smile with one equally arctic. "Very well then, . , . With one of the x -- curators of the Metropolitan Museum f fArt" "And," continued Vance, without .change of tone, "at what time last eight did you meet Miss Lake?" The Italian rose Indignantly, his Bomber eyes flashing." "I resent that question, sir I Even if I had met Miss Lake, I would not telf fru." , 'Really, Mr, Grassl," Vance smiled, "I would net have expected you to.I Your conduct Is ftulte correct take It for granted you, were aware that Miss Lake Is engaged to Mr. .Wrede." Grassl calmed down quickly and resumed his seat "Yes; I knew there was some understanding. Mr. Archer Coe Informed me of the fact Rut he also stated "Yea. yes. He also stated that he was opposed to the alliance. He en-- ' Joyd Mr. Wrede intellectually, but ... , ' did not regard him favorably as a husband for his ward. . . . What Is your opinion of the situation, Mr. Grassl?" The Italian seemed surprised at Vance's question. "You must forgive me, sir," he said after a pause, if I plead my Inability to express an opinion on the subject I may say, however, that Mr. Brisbane Coe disagreed with his brother. He was very much In favor of the marriage, and stated his views most emphatically to Sir. Archer Coe." "And now both of them are dead," Vance remarked. (irassi's eyelids drooped, and he turned his head slightly. Both?" lie repeated In a low voire. "Mr. P.rishane was stabbed In the back shortly after Mr. Archer was killed," Vance informed him. "Most unfortunate," the Italian murmured. "Have you," asked Vance, "any suggestion as to who might desire to have these two gentlemen out of the way?" Grassl suddenly became austere and aloof. "I have no suggestion," he replied In a fiat diplomatic voice. "Mr. Archer Coe was the type of man who might Inspire enmities; but Mr. Brisbane Coe was quite the opposite genial, shrewd, kindly" "An excellent characterization," Vance complimented him. "And what are your Impressions of Mr. Wrede? . . . I assure you any opinion you express will go no further." Grassl appeared ill at ease. He did not answer at once but contemplated the wall before him for some time. Finally he spoke in the slow, precise manner of a man carefully choosing his words. ; "1 have not been particularly impressed by Mr. Wrede. On the surface he Is most charming, but I have a feeling he is Inclined toward super- -' flciality. Withal he is very clever. ;!. "Cleverness Is our national curse," Vance remarked. "But forgive my interruption. You were speaking of Mr. . . Wrede." "Mr. Wrede, as I have said, Impresses me as being very cleyer. But I have sensed another side to hint He Is capable, I should say, of unexpected things. I have a feeling he would stop at nothing to gain his own : ends." "Thank you!" Vance spoke with unwonted harshness. "I perfectly; understand your feelings." He looked down at Grassl contemptuously. "And now, sir, we should like to know exactly what you did yesterday between four o'clock in the afternoon and one o'clock In the morning." His tone was almost menacing. The Italian made a valiant effort to meet Vance's stern gaze. "I have said all I intend to say," he announced. Vance faced the man threateningly. "In that case," he said, "I shall have to order your arrest on suspicion of having murdered Archer and Brisbane Vance took the parcel to the desk and began opening It "The cook." he said, speaking directly to the Italian, "has Just found this package tucked away In the garbage pail on the rear porch. It may Interest you, Mr. GrassL" As be spoke, be smoothed out the corners of the paper; and there were revealed to all of us many fragments of beautiful, delkate porcelain with a pure white luster. "Here," he went on. still addressing the Italian, "are the remains of Mr. Coe's Ting yao vase. . . . And, if you will notice, several of these pieces of fragile Sung porcelain are stained with ' blood." There was a long silence. Finally Grassl looked up. "It's an outrage!" be exclaimed. "1 don't comprehend It In the least . . . And the blood! Do you think, sir. that this vase had anything to do with the death of Mr. Coe?" "Without doubt" Vance was watching the Italian with a puzzled look. "But pray sit down again, Mr. Grassi. There are one or two more questions I should like to ask you." The other resumed his seat reluctantly. "If you were with Miss Lake at the Country club late last night," Vance proceeded, "how did it happen that you and she returned to the house at different hours? I presume, of course, that you accompanied her back to the city." Grassl appeared embarrassed. "It was Miss Lake's suggestion," he said, "that we should not be heard entering the house at the same time. So I waited In Central park for a quarter of an hour after she had gone In." Vance nodded. "I thought as much. It was the proximity of your two "returns that made me conclude that possibiy you had been together last night . . . But Lake .give for what the deception?" "No. particular reasop. Miss Lake merely saJd:'sne thought it would 'he "Your appointment with Miss Lake was at what time?" "Nine o'clock." The man looked at Vance. "There was to be a dance . . . but but I took the wrong train I'm not familiar " "Quite quite." Vance spoke encouragingly. "And what time was it when you arrived at the club?" "It was after eleven." Grassl fell back Into the chair as If exhausted. "I had to make several transportation changes," he continued In a forced tone. "It was most unfortunate. . . ." "Yes, very." Vance studied the other Icily. "Did the lady forgive your tardiness?" "Yes! Miss Lake accepted my explanation," the man returned, with a show of heat "The fact Is, she did not arrive until several minutes after I did. She had motored to the Arrowhead inn with friends for dinner, and had an accident of some kind on her return to the club." "Very distressing" murmured Vance. "Were her friends with her at the time of the accident?" "I do not believe they were,' Grassl answered. "Miss Lake told me she had motored back alone." At this point Detective Burke stepped Into the room. "That Chink downstairs wants to speak to Mr. Vance," he said. "He's all hot and bothered." Vance nodded to Heath. "Send him up, Burke," the sergeant ordered. Liang appeared at the door and waited till Vance came to him. He said something in a low voice which the rest of the room could not distinguish, and held out a crudely twisted paper parcel. ' "Thank you, Mr. Liang." said Vance; and the Chinaman, with a bow, returned downstairs. hall. "I could bear," Vance called down to Heath, "to snoop In the pockets of Brisbane's suit before it's taken away. . . . Would you mind?" Come "Certainly not Mr. Vance. along." We all went to the library. The serclosed the.dpor. geant " "I "had the satuVldea," he said. "I've been' figuring right along that maybe that slick butler was lying to us about the ticket to Chicago." It took but a short time to empty .the- pockets of Brisbane Coe's suit to the library table But there was nothing of .Interest among the contents, only the usual Items to be found In a man's pockets a wallet, handkera watch, chiefs, keys, a fountain-pen- , and the like. There were, however, the ticket and berth reservation to Chicago, and also the parcel room check for the suitcase. Heath was crestfallen, and expressed himself In violent terms.' "The ticket's here all right," he added ; "so I guess he Intended to go, after all." Vance, too, was disappointed. "Oh, yes, Sergeant he intended to go. But it was not the ticket that was worrying me. I was hoping to find something else." "What?" asked Markham. Vance gave him a vague look. "Really, don't y' know, I haven't the slightest Idea." He would say no more. Heath summoned the two men waiting In the hall with their basket, and the body of Brisbane Coe was taken away to join that of his brother at the mortuary. As the men went out to the car, Snltkin came In with the dead man's suitcase. The contents consisted merely of the items which would ordinarily be taken by a man making a short trip. Vance nodded to Heath, and the sergeant ordered Gamble to put the bag away. "And you, Snltkin," he added, "wait : . -- a-'-tifc- Coe !" A look of abject fear came over Grassl's pallid face. "No you can't do that," he stammered. "I didn't do It I assure you I didn't do it!" His voice rose. "I'll tell you anything you want to know. I went to Doctor Montrose's for tea. We discussed ceramics; and I stayed to dinner. At eight o'clock I excused myself and went to the railway station to take the train for Mount Vernon to the Crestview Country club. ss reason-did-Mi- The vase simply would break Into pieces." "But the blood. . . "There was no blood on Archer's head." Vance selected one of the fragments and held It up. "Moreover, please note that the blood Is not on the outer glaze, but on the Inside of the vase. The same Is true of the little piece I found on the table down stairs. But I can't possibly connect this broken vase with Brisbane's death or with the Scottle." "And how do you connect It with Archer's death?" Vance became evasive. "Give me a little more time," be said. "1 have a fairly definite Idea about this broken vase with the blood stains on the inside; It's too. fantas tic too Incredible. I want to verify my suspicions. . . ." His voice trailed off, and he lighted a cigarette meditatively. Markham regarded him a while and then said: "The whole affair strikes me as fantastic and Incredible." Vance exhaled a blue ribbon of smoke. "Suppose we talk to Wrede," he suggested. "We may know more when he has unburdened his heart to us." Markham gave an order to Heath, but at that moment Burke announced the arrival of the wagon from the department of public welfare. The sergeant went Into the hall and was halfway down the stairs when Vance hastened after him. "Just a moment. Sergeant!" So Impetuous was Vance's manner that Markham and I followed him Into the i 2 il V. l ' vmes2& "At What Time Last Night You Meet Miss Lake?" Did better if Mr. Brisbane Coe did not hear us coming In together." "She specifically mentioned Brisbane Coe?" "Yes." "And she did not mention Mr. er Mr. Arch- Coe?" remember." "That Is quite understandable," Vance remarked. "Uncle Brisbane was her ally In her engngenient to Mr. Wrede; and she may have feared that he would not have approved of her being out so late with another man. By the by, Mr. Grassi, when you came in last nlht or rather, this morning where did you hang your hat and coat?" A cautious look came !nto the Ital"Not that I ian's eyes. "I did not wear an outer coat. But I carried my hat and stick to my own room." "Why? There Is a closet in the lower hall." Grassl moved uneasily, and I could have sworn the palior of his face Increased. "I did not care to make a noise opening and shutting the closet door," he explained. Vance made no comment "That will be all for the present," he said pleasantly. "And thank you for your help. . . . Would you mind waiting in your room? We shall probably want to question you again be fore the afternoon ,1s over." The man bowed and went down the passageway of the hall toward the front of the house. Markham was Immediately on his feet. "What about that broken vase?" he demanded, pointing at the parcel of porcelain fragments on the desk. "Was that the thing with which Archer Coe was struck over the head?" "Oh, no. This delicate ting yao china would crack under the least pressure. If a man were struck with such a vase he would hardly feel It sjl o VTNU ' upstairs." Both men disappeared, and the sergeant went to the drawing room doors and pulled them apart "Mr. Wrede," he called. "You're wanted." Wrede came Into the library with a haggard, questioning look in his eyes. "Have you learned anything, Mr, Markham?" His voice seemed to quaver slightly, and as he spoke, his eyes roved over the room. "Where's Mr. Grassi?" "Mr. Grassi's upstairs." Markham motioned to a chair. "And I'm sorry to say that thus far we have learned We are hoping that very little. you may be able to help us out of our quandary." "Good Lord ! I wish I could." Wrede was like a man on the verge of collapse. "It's horrible I" Vance had been watching him from under eyelids. "It's more horrible than you perhaps realize," he said. "Brisbane Coe has also been murdered." Wrede sank heavily Into the nearest chair. "Brisbane?" His voice seemed to come from afar. "But why why , . .?" "Why, Indeed?" Vance spoke harshly. "Nevertheless, he's dead. He, too, was stabbed In the back with a curiously shaped instrument" Wrede stared straight ahead. His lips moved, but no sound came from them. "Tell us what you know about this double murder, Mr. Wrede," Vance went on with grim relentlessness. A shiver ran over Wrede's body. ... half-close- d 1 know Service nothing about Observations and calculation! being made to affirm or deny truth of the report by the Navu ervatory that San Diego, moved 40 feet la the lat years. If the calculations of tie, ierratory are found to be eorred they will support the theory that u land Is drifting westward due to q, eastward rotation of the earth. Tbs theory holds that this drifting of !and causes the earth's crut to bem nd thus form mountains, it ft thought that the movement raay b a cause for earthquakes. Patha&j. tr Magazine, t. It" be re- plied after a painful pause. "Gamble told me this morning that Brisbane was In Chicago." "He started for the station yesterday afternoon, but returned here last night to meet his death." "Why should he return?" stammered Wrede. "Have you any ideas on the sub- Sabbath Slumber How late do you usually Sunday morning?" It all depends." "Depends on what?" The length of the sermon," sw ject?" "1?" The man's eyes opened wide, "Not the slightest idea." "What do you know of the conditions here at the Coe house yesterday? I would like as full a description as you can give." "I was here talking to Archer Coe from ten to twelve yesterday morning-" Why Liquid Laxatives ! "About ceramics or Miss Lake?" Wredti caught his breath. "Both.T he answered weakly. "The fact Is, rcher and I had a somewhat bitter session regarding my coming marriage with Miss Lake. But It was nothing unusual. He was, as you may know, violently opposed to the marriage. Brisbane took part In the discussion, and called Archer some rather harsh names. . . ." "And after twelve?" "I lunched In my apartment Then I went to an auction at the American art galleries. But I had a bad bead-ache- . So I came home around three, and lay down. 1 did not leave my apartment again until this morning, when Gamble phoned me." "You live next door, do you not?" "The first house to the east, across the double vacant lot" "Who owns the vacant lot?" "It Is part of the Coe estate." "And you remained In your apartment from three o'clock yesterday afternoon until this morning?" "That's right. I had a beastly headache ..." "Did you see Miss Lake' yesterday?" was "Yes, in the morning' when here. 'The fact Is, I' made an appointment with her for last flight at the Country club.' But when I got home; yesterday, afternoon, IV called, her by phone and excused myself. 1 was in' no condition "Mr , Grassl .substituted for. . you," said Yance, , , ' Wrede's "eyes "clouded,' and ne set ' ' "' " his Jaws. ,. "So" she tblof bie this nicrslpg."0 "When Gamble phoned ''you this morning,"'' Vance asked, "what was your mental reaction to the news?" Wrede frowned. "That would be difficult to analyze, . . I was not overfond of Archer," he admitted; "and I was not personally distressed by the report of his death. But I was extremely puzzled. It was not like Archer to take his own life; and frankly I had very grave doubts. That is why I advised Gamble to get in Immediate touch with Mr. Markham." "You acted wisely," Vance observed, with a tinge of sarcasm. "But If you did not believe that Archer Coe had committed suicide, there must have been In your mind another possibility to wit; that of murder. Who, Mr. Wrede, do you think would have had sufficient motive to commit the crime?" Wrede did not answer at once. He appeared sorely troubled and ran his fingers several times through his hair. "That Is a question I have been trying to answer all morning," he replied without looking at Vance. "One may speculate, of course, but It would not be fair to voice those speculations without definite evidence of some kind. . . ." "Mr. Grassi?" "I I really, Mr. Vance, I'm not well acquainted with the man. He was after Coe's collection of Chinese ceramics; but that would hardly constitute a motive for murder." "No-o.- " Vance smiled frigidly. "What about Miss Lake?" Wrede almost leaped from his seat "That suggestion is outrageous!" he cried, glowering at Vance. "How dare Do You No Harm The dose of a liquid laxative can be measured. The action can thus be regulated to suit individual need. It forms no habit; you need not take i "double dose" a day or two later. Nor will a mild liquid laxative urilaU the kidneys. The right liquid laxative will bring a more natural movement, and with no discomfort at the time, or after ward. The wrong cathartic may often do more harm than good. An approved liquid laxative (on which is most widely used for both adults and children) is Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin, a prescription. It is perfectly safe. Its laxative action it based on senna a natural laxative. The bowels will not become dependent on this form of help, as they may do in the case of cathartics containing mineral drugs. Ask your druggist for Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin, l' . Delinquencies and Duds ' "now. Is your husband behavingr "OK," badly enough for a new dress, I think." ' for-nclng," . .,J:""t '&if - RECtlVNsil l 1 . you ?" "Spare me the drama," Vance cut In, with a contemptuous smile. "I'm deuced difficult to impress." Wrede sat back, with a mumbled remark which we could not make out. "What do you think of Liang, the cook?" Vance asked next The man glanced up with a swift, Shrewd look. Cleaned PLUGS SAVE YOU money! STOP THE WASTE OF 1 GALLON OF GAS IN 10 . . . 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