Show The Men on the Dead Man Mang Chest v v v. v v by CLIFFORD RA RAYMOND YMOND Copyright Tho The Dobbs Dobbs- Bobbs Co Service PRECEDING EVENTS During a no hol holdup at tho the Dutch Mill Chicago night club Dunn Clayton Is killed Lieutenant of or Police Stanton questions a 0 visitor Buck Trembly In Claytona Clayton's Claytons Claytons Clayton's Clay Clay- tons ton's pocket Is Ia a n. note signed MaIsIe making an appointment appointment- ment with the tho dead man at the Dutch MilL Stanton Is la Inclined to suspect Trembly of or tho the murder At Ata a 0 Wisconsin winter camp a 0 boisterous boisterous bois bola crowd Includes Preston Brown Drown An apparent stranger ar- ar ar rives Later two men driving como come on th tho scone Tho The leaves In his car and rind the two men follow tollow passing him A viaduct viaduct via via- duct is out out and one of ot the two men removes tho the danger signals Tho The stranger goes over o tho the em em- He Is dead when found Drown Brown Is dead In his hie papers Claytons Clayton's name Is 15 found and Stanton connects tho the deaths Ho lIo goes to Wisconsin and finds ands the dead man Is Trembly Trembly Trembly Trembly Trem Trem- bly had caused Browns Brown's death apparently an nn accident A lawyer John reading of ot the tho case caso recalls the names in connection connection connection con con- with an nn odd will made by bya a man named Turner Turner had bequeathed tho the Interest on to six men Blair Ashley Asble Roberts Brown Drown Tr Trembly and and Clayton Claton The Income at ot tho death of ot each beneficiary Is to tobe tobe tobe I be divided among the tho rest Turners Turner's Turners Turner's Turners Turner's Tur Tur- ners ner's son son at the tho deaths of or tho the six sir beneficiaries Is to Inherit all Turner dies shortly after making the will suspects foul play In tn the tho three deaths and writes to the tho Chicago police pollee Stanton Interviews Asa Darling one of f the tho executors of ot tho the will Darling tells him ho believes Turner Turner Tur Tur- ner nor wanted and expected tho the six beneficiaries to kill one another they thoy having In tn the tho past Injured him beyond forgiveness The Tho will willIs Is his method of ot revenge re Roberts ono one of the six named In Turners Turner's will wIn visits Darling Ho tells Stanton Stanton Stanton Stan- Stan ton and Darling that Blair and Asble Ashley supposed to be abroad aro are In to this country Ashley Ashle and Blair arrive at Mr Darlings Darling's ab abode de They feign uneasiness at their friends' friends deaths evade Stanton's Stanton's Stanton's Stan- Stan tons ton's questioning though Ashley tells him Is Mrs Trembly Trembly Trem Trem- bly bh and leave the tho house Roberts Roberta fears he is the next to die dlo CHAPTER VII VII Continued Continued 9 9 Youre amusing Ron said fald Ash ley Better watch yourself or you'll ha have haa a delirium I dont don't believe e Ill I'll lock you up now mister said Stanton but keep In touch with us wont won't you Dont Don't go anywhere without letting us know Ill I'll have hn a local Dog Dog- berry go to the city with you and then headquarters will be attentive to you Blair stared at him and turned toward toward toward to to- ward the door Oh and another thing Acton the lieutenant remarked I didn't tell you ou my m last guess Its It's that Malsie Maisie sent you to Little Butte des ties Morts l Acton Blair seems to have ha been born bom at the age of thirty No one who knew him ever er had got Into an earlier period He may have ha been beena a i seafaring man although the tattooing tattooing tattooing tat tat- on his forearms need or need not lot Indicate that Presumably he was ivas American born but again no none noone noone one ne knows His nis education had been mostly that of experience a unIversity university university sity he be appears to have hare entered at thirty without previous pre existence It may nay be that an murderer dIsappeared about that time Howard Ashley was the son of a aNew New STew Haven en Conn physician He I I was vas not graduated ted from Yale be be- ing e expelled 1 In his Junior year for conduct unbecoming an undergrad undergrad- It may have been cheating in to examinations cutting chapel or being being be ing Indifferent to holding them Yale This last last Is plausible He was perfect for the crew In strength weight u eight rhythm and stamina na but did not try for It It would be Irrational to graduate such a man Mister said the lieutenant to Roberts when the door had been closed on Blair mail and Ashley departing departing departIng depart depart- ing that last remark of yours was an Inspiration I I know It t was bone H LI II-II II I didn't seem able to hold myself You produced Trembly's murderer here In the tle room and then you ou let him walk out of the door I know that pair pall They'd smile at you and crack you ou out You see who's next dont don't you Hes He's here now with you Mr Darling do you ou mind If I take talce a n drink Im I'm needing one I ha- ha have hae e a 1 flask Let me continue to be your host host said Mr 11 Darling Pompey will bring you and Lieutenant Stanton Stanton Stan Stan- ton some Scotch And Ill I'll have bave some wine If It you please Pompey Dont Don't raise the point that I already I have ha had had- some You may put another another an other log or two on the fire I feel feela a n bit of excitement myself but Im I'm reprobate enough to find it pleas pleas- Early dusk had begun to dim the day dar and the firelight was ruddier In the room Roberts drank his whisky straight and with a n look of request and apology at Mr Darling poured himself a secondI second I think were weve wc e disturbed Mr r. Dar Dar- Ung ng enough for the day said the lieutenant I No disturbance none whatever said the old gentleman I doubt that Pompey Pompe agrees with you Well We'll get along I might be told first what Mr Roberts expects to do not that It ItIs ItIs itIs Is properly my concern other than to see that h he receives his December December December Decem Decem- ber check i I dont don't know what to do said Roberts Y You ou can see m my chances It wont won't help if I decline to receive any more checks Im I'm to be put out of the way unless I can protect my self By G G-d G d Ill I'll have them taken for a 1 ride There are a hundred men in New York who would do It for a thousand dollars They'd do doIt doU doit It U for a hundred for ten Id not announce It In advance said Stanton and particularly not notto notto notto to a police pollee officer You know why Ive I've got to You know v its it's self You know knowlie's hes he's already alread murdered a man You know the they're re killing us off I dont don't know It t said Stanton If I did they wouldn't have ha walked out of the room Im I'm only guess- guess Ing lug Yes guessing Well Pd Id rather you guessed that I was alive because because because be be- cause they were dead than that they were alive because I was dead That's what it comes to I cant can't go back to New York tonight But Bul how am I to know that they have gone They may stay here In New- New burgh If I ma may use Mr Darlings Darling's telephone telephone telephone tele tele- phone Ill I'll loose the tile s 's on them Theres the extension here on the table and theres there's an Instrument in ina Ina ina a closet off the hall ball said Mr Dar Dar- ling Ill not bother you with the mysteries mysteries mys mys- teries of police business said the lieutenant Ill use the other phone When he returned Roberts was bracing himself with a another other drink of Scotch They will be quietly escorted Into In to New York the lieutenant said and from then on the Use watchful eye will be In the mI middle of their backs Now Roberts here we are In a case which stumps me to think of the like of It It seems that the only only thing I can do as John Law v confronted confronted con con- fronted with th one transparent killing killing kill kill- ing and two fairly plausible ones isto isto is isto to wait walt for another Will you ou let me stay at your hotel hotel hotel ho ho- tel with you tonight Roberts asked Ill figure out something Maybe I can cnn go back to Chicago with you It may not be as hopeless hopeless hopeless hope hope- less as I think I might be able to get West If I could get away from San Francisco I might be able to disappear somewhere somewhere-In In the Far East somewhere in the Pacific Is is- lands He brightened perceptibly in tone and confidence of motion as he walked to and fro on the hearth hearth- rug Ive I got sixty thousand dollars a year now Instead of thirty thousand dollars That's right Isn't it It Mr Darling Owing to the fact that Mr Clayton Clayton Clayton Clay Clay- ton Mr Brown and Mr Trembly are no longer where they can receive receive re re- re- re e cei checks you are quite right Mr Roberts Well WeIl now sixty thousand dollars dollars dol del lars Jars a year Is mo money ey It rives gives a man freedom He lIe can live where its it's pleasant and convenient Becan Be He can cnn take measures to protect him him- self If I can get a fair fall br break at atthe atthe atthe the start That's all Ill I'll need Now if Lieutenant Stanton will help I know I can rely on Mr Ir Darling Well be leaving lemIng Mr Darling said Stanton Shall I see you OU again Lieutenant Lieuten Lieuten- ant the old oM gentleman asked holdIng holdIng hold- hold Ing ng out his handI hand I hope so 1 must be going back tomorrow after Ive I've gone down to New York Ive I've always alwa s said said I was no detective but this beats even my usual e. e experience I get my man I Im I'm nursemaid to the handsome gentleman gentleman gen gen- en who expects to be murdered That's all Ive I've got to show for m my expense account Come along Mr Roberts And Anu good day da to you Mr lIr Darling It was late dusk as Stanton and Roberts walked toward towar 1 the Pala Pala- tine They passed by the Hasbrouck house You might go In there a n while tomorrow said Stanton Where In there Why Its Washington's headquarters What of It Oh Oil go In and look at Uzal Knapps Knapp's grave grave gra Youre a nut Chief Theres There's only one grave gra I want to see and It Isn't filled yet et You discount Ashley dont don't you I can handle him Can you Id I'd guess that In this elimination hed he'd be the survivor Dont be ridiculous What makes you OU think that Just looking at you three I Ifancy Ifancy Ifancy fancy Ashley When they entered the hotel Stanton Stan Stan- ton told his companion to get himself himself him hIm- se self f a room I must send some telegrams he lie said I must must go to the local chiefs chief's office and I may may- maybe be able through him and by telephone a to avoid going to to New York Do you ou think think- you'll be gone long Id not think so Why You needn't be alarmed here bere In the ho ho- tel tet Sometimes you seem simpleminded sImpleminded simpleminded simple- simple minded Lieutenant You ought to know that often otten the safest places are arc the most dangerous us Id Id I'd get hold of myself If I were you mister Youre You're safe here bere When you ou are back I must buy some linen and things Ill I'll get a room and wait for you ou Here liere In the lobb lobby When Stanton returned n a half- half hour later Roberts Roberta was In a leather leath leath- er chair In a smoking corner I got a r rom om with two beds he said and Ive I've had your things moved mo into It Dont Don't mind do you Ill I'll feel easier I 1 meant to speak to you about It it itI I doubt that you did Roberts You preferred to have baye It done and then tell me about It I dont don't mind If it you any happier The furnishing stores are down the billin hill bill hillIn In the old town You'd getter go and make your purchases before dinner Im not going down there alone All right Ill Ell 1 1 go with you AshIe Ashley Ashley Ash Ash- Ie ley and Blair are arc on their way to New York but I cant can't afford to report report report re re- port home back back home without wIthout- you alive So come along and then well we'll have dinner CHAPTER VIII A Night Visitor at Room T DINNER DINNEn Stanton said he was AT L A going to the movies and that his Isis companion might please himself remain In the hotel or accompany him Roberts was glum for a moment moment moment mo mo- ment and then smiled i Ill go with you I dont don't mind town hick-town amusements I like ilke them If the movies are hick the big I t 1 III p s r yc- yc 4 64 o The Door Said Roberts Ro erts towns are the center of the sticks said Stanton I know but I only enjoy the movies when Im I'm laid up In a small place Come on then Im I'm a two-show two man mister when I get a chance and I saw by the signs that John Gilbert In Twelve Miles Out Is at atone atone atone one place and Sid Chaplin in Charleys Charleys Charle Char le leys ley's s Aunt at another The They claimed their overcoats from the checkroom and walked along the shadowy street leading to the Newburgh white way I suppose you ou think Im I'm an awful coward said Roberts as they alwa Ive I've had walked Im not always s m my share of danger anger Theres There's some kinds I haven't ha dodged I I fought a n aman aman man with a pistol placed In the middle of a table You stand two feet away and at a signal the man who gets the tile gun uses It It Did you ou cheat chea asked Stanton Not much Just enough to keep him from cheating more But nut I didn't shoot him Afraid to No I couldn't shoot a man who didn't have a gun I hope he appreciated It He lIe took tool a shot at me a half half- hour later and then I had to wing him Heres the Great White Way War said the lieutenant as they turned I Into the brilliantly brIllIantly lighted main street of the tile newer Newburgh on 1 the top of the bluff above the old oldtown oldtown oldtown town which starts at the time rivers river's edge Heres the Chaplin nearest Well We'll take the first show here bere and John Gilbert next Youre a curious copper You may be right there mister but It Isn't because I like the movies Its It's because I do dumb things Youre You're probably one of them Roberts was amused by Charleys Charleys Charleys Char leys ley's Aunt but he was depressed by Twelve allies Miles Out Cheerful lot of gore that finish he said as ns they walked hack back to the hotel botel Looked like hies Blair and Ashley Ashley Ashley Ash Ash- ley shooting each others other's heads off They would grin and yell at each other just that way Ghastly pair of crooks I never knew new Blair to have the tho slightest compunction In anything he be ever did Nor Ashley either Something they did to Turner Turner Turner Tur Tur- ner got us In n this mess Meaning sixty sLety thousand dollars a year for tor you l lI I need the money because Ive I've got It If you can figure that out Id I'd be well VeIl off olI If Id I'd never ne heard of It What do you want to do smoke a cigar In the lobby or turn In I feel restless Ill smoke a cigar with you but Im I'm not restless and Im I'm about ready for seep Lucky cuss you are arc Stanton Got nothing to make you nervous or restless Ive e got you I said lucky cuss You might have Blair I once saw him strangle a n black boy In Haiti who tried to slice him Did It slowly as If It were a pI pleasure ensure What did you the six of you do doto doto doto to Turner the lieutenant asked Im going to make you come clean clenn cleanon clennon on that sooner or later I dont don't know anything about It whatever er It t was I swear I dont All right It will be later then Did I tell you Ive I've telegraphed for a drawing room or compartment when we pick up the train at Albany Ill I'll not trust an open Pull PuB man Ill I'll get a magazine and go up to the room wIth you now if you want to J He went to the cigar and magazine magazIne magazine maga maga- zine counter and came back with several periodicals He lIe looked about as they stepped Into the elevator elevator elevator ele ele- vator and gl |