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Show EMERY COUNTY PROGRESS, CASTLE PALE. UTAH - 1 I I Housewife's Idea Bo The KENNEL MURDER CASE By S. S Van Dine Copyright by W. H. Wrlfbt A moment SYNOPSIS Phllo Vane, crime expert, la called to Investigate the supposed suicide of Archer Coe. With District Attorney Markham, he got to Coe'a house. They Had Wrede, a friend of Coe'a, there; alio Slgnor Grassl, a guest. The door f the death chamber ia bolted from the inside. They force it Coe is aeated, a revolver in hie right hand and a bullet hole In his temple. He ia clothed In a dressing gown, but weara street ahoes. Markham thinka it la aulcide. Vance says it la murder. Medical Examiner Doremua declarea Coe had been dead for hours when the bullet entered Itla head. A wound, made by a dagger, la found on the body, and there ia proof that Coe was fully dressed when be was atabbed. The Investigators find wounded Scotch terrier in a room f the Coe house. Vance declarea the animal will prove an important connecting link. Gamble aaya Brisbane Coe, Archer'a brother, left for Chicago tbe previoua afternoon, but Vance polnta out that bla favorite walking tick la hanging In the hall. CHAPTER IV Continued lie pulled the door open, revealing only a great rectangle of blackness. AlmoBt simultaneously, the circle of yellow light from Death's pocket flashlight penetrated tbe gloom. "Lower, Sergeant 1" came Vance's dictatorial Toice, "The ' floor the floor I . . .. The light descended; and then we aw the thing that Vance, through ome process of obscure logic, had been searching for. There, In a huddled heap, his glassy eyes staring up at as, lay the dead body of Brisbane Coe. Though the sight was not altogether unexpected, la view of Vance's strange actions and even stranger comment. I received a tremendous shock as I gazed down Into the closet. Even to an amateur like myself tbe fact that Brisbane Coe was dead was apparent The stiff, unnatural pose of the body, and the hideous fixity of his gaze, together with the drawn bloodless Hps and the waxen pallor of his skin, attested to violent and unexpected death. And as I looked at It, temporarily petrified by the horror of this new development, I could not help comparing the dead body of Brisbane with that of Archer. Whereas Archer had died with a peaceful expression on his face, and In a natural and comfortable position, Brisbane had a shocked, almost wild, look In his eyes, as If he had been startled and frightened at the moment of death. The discovery of Brisbane Coe's body affected all of us strongly. Heath stared down with hunched shoulders. The blood seemed to have left his face, and be was like a man hypnotized. Markham's Jaw was set. and his eyes were mere slits. Vance spoke, and his voice, usually so calm, sounded strained and un; ... natural I "It's worse than I thought. had hoped he might still be alive a prisoner perhaps. I didn't altogether expect this." Vance closed the closet door. "It's very strange," he murmured, looking at Markham yet past him. "He is without his hat and topcoat; and yet his stick is hanging here in the hall. And he Is dead In the closet "Why not in his own room T or the library? or anywhere else, but In there? Nothing fits, Markham. The whole picture has been painted by a crazy man. Markham said in a dazed voice : "I can't follow any of It Why did Brisbane Coe return here last night? And who knew he was going to re- ... r turn "If only I could answer those ' ques- tions!" Burke and Gamble were sitting on a hall bench near the drawing room door. The butler had not seen the dead man In the closet for our bodies had shielded him. But it was obvious that he suspected the truth. Vance went to him. "What kind of topcoat and hat did Mr. Brisbane wear when he went to the station last night?" The man made a desperate effort to pull himself together. "A a tweed coat sir," he replied ' tweed. huskily, And a light gray fedora hat." Vance returned to the closet, and presently emerged with a hat and black-and-whit- e coat "Are these the ones?" Gamble swallowed hard and nodded his head. "Yes, sir." Vance replaced the coat and hat In the closet and commented to Markham : "They were hanging up so neatly." "Is It not possible," asked Markham, "that Just a9 he hung them up after returning to the house, he was killed?" yes." Vance nodded slow. ly. "But that would not explain the other things that went on here last night It's more reasonable, I think. to assume that Brisbane was killed as be was preparing to leave the house. But then again, there's the time element Heath had already gone to the hall telephone and was dialing a number. "I'll soon get the time element for i you," he growled- , "Possible ..." later he was speaking to Doctor Doremus. "The doc's coming right away," be said, hanging up the receiver. "In the meantime, Markham," sug gested Vance, "I think we might have parlance with the Chinese cook. , . . Fetch him, will you, Gamble." The butler hastened through the dining room door at the rear, and Vance strolled Into the library, the rest of us following. We had scarcely seated ourselves when a tall, slender, scholarly looking Chinaman of about forty stepped soft ly Into the room through the door between the library and the dining room. He stood beside the door with relaxed Immobility, and, after one swift glance at us, lifted his eyes uneagerly above our heads. Though he looked at nothing In particular, I felt that he saw everything. Vance asked : "What is your name?" "Liang," came the soft and almost inaudible response. "Your whole name, please." There was a slight pause, and the man gave Vance a fleeting glance. "Liang Tsung WeL" And I understand you "Ah I are the Coe cook." The other nodded quickly. "Me cook." Vance sighed, and a faint smile overspread his face. "Be so good as to forgo the pidgin- English, Mr. Liang. It will handicap our conversation terribly. And please take a chair." The Chinaman, with a faint flicker In bis eyes, moved his gaze till it rested on Vance's face. Then he bowed and sat down in an arm chair between the door and the book shelves. "Thank you," he said in a finely modulated voice. "1 suppose you desire to question .me regarding the tragedy last night I deeply regret I can throw no light upon It" "How do you know there has been a tragedy?" Vance Inspected the end of his cigarette. "I was preparing the breakfast" Liang returned, "and I heard the butler Impart the Information over the telephone." "Ah, ye9 of course. . , . Have you been long in this country, Mr. Liang?" "Two years only." Interested In the culin'ry art of America?" ; "Not particularly although I am a student of occidental customs. Western civilization Is of great interest to certain of my countrymen." "As are, also, I Imagine," added Vance, "the rare ceremonial pieces of Chinese art that have been pilfered from your temples and graves." "We of course regret their loss," the . man answered mildly. Vance nodded understanding, and was silent for a moment Then: "How did you happen to seek employment with Mr. Coe." "I had heard of his collection of Chinese antiquities and of his great knowledge of oriental art and I bemight lieved that the atmosphere prove to be congenial. "And have you found It congenial?" "Not altogether. Mr. Coe was a very narrow and selfish man. His interest In art was purely personal. He wished to keep his treasures away from the world not to share them with humanity." observed collector," "A typical Vance. "By the by, Mr. Liang; when did you leave the house yesterday?" "About half past two," came the low answer. "And you returned at what timer "Shortly before midnight I was visiting friends on Long Island." "Chinese friends?" "Yes. They will be most happy to verify my statement" Vance smiled. "I've no doubt Where do you sleep?" "My quarters, such as they are, are (connected with the kitchen." "Did you go to bed Immediately upon your return?" There was a momentary hesitation on the man's part "Not Immediately," he said. "I cleared away the remains of Mr. Coe's supper, and made myself some tea." "Did you, by any chance, see Mr. Brisbane Coe after you returned last night?" "Mr. Brisbane Coe?" The other repeated the name questioningly. "The butler told me this morning not to prepare breakfast for him, as he had . Was he here gone to Chicago. . last night?" Vance Ignored the question. '"Did you hear any sounds In the house before you retired?" he went on. "Not until Miss Lake returned. She Is always vigorous and noisy. And a quarter of an hour later Mr. Grassl came In. But aside from that I heard no sound whatever." Vance, during this Interrogation, had appeared casual ; and his manner had been deferential But now a perceptible change came over his attitude. His eyes hardened, and he leaned for ward in his chair, when he spoke, his voice was cold and uncompromising. "Mr. Liang," he said, "at what time did you first return to this house early last night ... . f There was a clouded, faraway look In tbe Chinaman's eyes. "I did not return early last night" he answered, in a faintly sing-sonvoice, "I arrived at midnight" "Yes, you arrived at midnigh- tGamble heard you come In. But I am speaking of your earlier visit some time around eight o'clock, let us say." "You are evidently laboring under a misapprehension," Liang returned. Vance Ignored the retort ."And what did you see In this room at about eight o'clock?" " "How could I have seen anything, when I was not here?" came the calm, unruffled reply. "Did you see.Mr. Archer Coe?" per sisted Vance. g "I assure you " "And was anyone with him?" "I was not here." "Perhaps you visited Mr. Coe's bedroom upstairs," Vance went on with quiet but firm insistence. "And then, it may be. you thought It advisable to disappear from the house for several hours; and you went out returning at midnight" "I was not in this house" Liang "between spoke with deliberation two yesterday afternoon and There was a finality In both his manner and his tone. 'Vance sighed wearily, and, turning to the ball door, called Gamble. "Where was Mr. Archer Coe sitting last night when you went out?" he asked. "On the davenport, sir," Gamble told him, "In that corner near the floor lamp. It was Mr. Archer's favorite half-pas- t midnight" seat" Vance nodded and rose. "That will be all for the present Attend to your duties till we need you." Gamble went out and Vance walked to tbe davenport and looked down at It Beside the lamp, and in front of the davenport, stood a low massive V7XU a collector as shrewd as Archer Coe. . Do you not agree with me, Mr. Liang?" "Mr. Coe knew much about Chinese ceramics," the Chinaman answered evasively, without taking his eyes from Vance. Vance shook his head sadly. "No, Archer would never have been taken in by this specimen. . . . It's most confusln'." He started to replace the vase on the stand, but suddenly withheld the movement of his hand and set the vase to one side. Leaning over, he pushed the little teakwood pedestal out of tbe way, revealing a tiny triangle of thin white porcelain, about an ln'ch wide, which had been lying hidden underneath. Carefully adjusting his monocle he picked up the bit of porcelain and held it between his thumb and forefinger to the light "Now, this is eminently different" he remarked, studying it closely. "Apparently a particle of genuine Sung Ting yao. A vase of this delicate porcelain would do honor to any collection." Gently he placed the little white triangle In his pocket and addressed the Chinaman, who had sat immobile and unblinking during Vance's comments. "Did not Mr. Coe possess a Sung Ting yao vase, Mr. Liang, about the size of this execrable Tao Ku-ang- "I believe he did." Liang spoke in a curiously repressed voice, without modulation or Inflection. "And when did you see the Ting yao vase last?" "I do not remember." Vance kept his steady gaze on the man. "When, Mr. Liang, did you last see imitation?" He this nineteenth-centur- y pointed to the vase on the table. Liang did not reply at once. He looked thoughtfully at the vase for a full then his eyes returned to Vance. "I have never seen It before," he said finally. "Fancy that!" Vance returned his monocle to his waistcoat pocket "And here it sits in a place of honor, crying out Its spuriousness to anyone who enters the room. . . . Most interestin'." Markham, who had been chafing under Vance's apparent lrrelevancies, now spoke, "What possible connection can a vase have with the murder of Archer and Brisbane Coe?" "That point," answered Vance "is what I am endeavorln' to ascertain. Y see, Markham, Archer Coe would not have Included this Tao Kuang vase in his collection. Why Is It here? I haven't the groggiest notion. On the other hand, that little broken piece of Sung porcelain is of a beautiful quality. I can Imagine Coe waxing ecstatic over a vase of such ware." "Welir Markham retorted irritably. "I still can't see the significance. . . . "Nor can I." Vance became serious. "But It has significance and a vital significance. It is another absurdly irrelevant factor In this hideous case. Because that little triangular bit of Ting yao porcelain was on the table Just back of where Archer Coe sat last night And it was hidden beneath a vase which Archer would not have tolerated In the same room with him. Service .... . . i We were close behind mm wueu -- . straight" opened uiei uwi. . air. knelt ....pcinnsi way assuming Coos Brisbane touched down and body. "Dead," he announced. Heath simulated astonishment 'tT.noc ia ho flpad? And me think ing all the time be was playing 'pos sum !" Doremus snorted. Ma ahmilripra." And km bodv rriArt the - lie auu me oci fevuuw v Into the library and placed it on the davenport "Could you tell us. Doctor," Vance asked, "which of the two victims died first?" Doremus, who had been testing the mnvflhiiitv f the dead man's head and limbs, glanced at hip watch. "That's easy," be said, ine one upstairs. The advance of rigor mortis In the two bodies is practically the same. This one might be slightly further along; but It's been nearly four hours, since I went over the other fel low. Therefore, I'd say that this one died anywhere from two to tnree nours later. Say eight o'clock for the one upstairs and about ten o'clock for this one. He proceeded with his examination. After a while he straightened up and frowned at Markham. "You know what killed this guy? A stab in the back I . . . Same like the fellow upstairs. And almost In the same place." "And the weapon? "The same. A sharp, narrow, Tired Feet After your shopping trip, few minutes bathing your feet h fore starting to prepare dinner, a foot bath of warm water aria ing soda. THE HOUSEWIFE. u. Copyright by Public Ledger. lac. WNUServlcs Add to Fire Defenses About 20,000 miles of commimlet. tlon lines, truck trails, and perm, nent fire defenses were built in th national forests by the Civilian Co, servation corps in the last year, i, addition, more than 10,000 miles ha been completed by men employe! with P. W. A. funds. Worker ot these and other Jobs also helped t check outbreaks of fire. Along with excessive drouth, 1331 brought an unusual number of "tiif thunderstorms In the western state starting hundreds of lightning flro. In the forests. Following the stoma drying winds whipped the g'.owinj snags Into flaming torches whlci spread the flames far and wide. A total of 9,338 fires broke out In h national forests up to September 16 this year, compared with 7,385 for the same period In 1931, and an it-erage of 5,907 for the past three years. Fifty per cent of this Ba son's fires were man-cause- four-corner- ed Instrument Only, in this case, the hemorrhage was external A lot of blood lost" "Died Instantly, I take It" remarked Why Liquid Laxatives Vance. "Yep." The doctor nodded. "Must have fallen in his tracks." Vance picked up the bloodstained coat and waistcoat of the dead man, and Inspected them, "And this time the stab was through the clothes he was wearing, he commented. "A minor point but worth I say, Doctor ; any indiverifying. cations of a struggle?" "Nope. Not a sign. He got It In the back when he wasn't expecting It Startled him for a split second probably look at that expression ! and then he curled up and passed out Doubt if he even saw the fellow that did him in. Quick, smooth business. "Devilish business," amended Markham. "Oh, well, I'm no moralist," Doremus confessed. "I'm a doctor. They're too many people In the world anyway." He began filling In a printed blank. "Here's your removal order, Sergeant" And In another moment he had slammed the front door behind him. Heath went at once to the telephone and ordered the wagon from the department of public welfare. Then he returned to the library. "Now where do we stand?" he asked, spreading his hands hopelessly. "It's my opinion the Chink cook did it If Mr. Markham would give me the word, I'd arrest him now." "Why such haste, Sergeant?" sighed Vance. "You haven't a particle of evidence against him and he knows it That's why he will not admit that he was here earlier last night" "See here, Vance," Markham said, "how do you know Liang was here M early last night V "By the fact that Gamble heard him He paused and looked up somberly. come in at midnight I Imagine he "Moreover, Markham, that broken comes in silently It's a Chinese fragment of porcelain has blood on It." characteristic. On general principles, the Chinese never want their moveCHAPTER V ments, however Innocent to be known to foreigners. But last night Liang "Needles and Pins." was heard returning and Gamble had Liang was dismissed with Instrucretired to the fourth floor. A already tions to remain in the house until furbit significant eh, what? Liang probther notice. ably saw Gamble's boudoir light ablaze While we were waiting for the medand let It be known, in a subtle way, ical examiner, there ensued a brief he was arriving from his afterdiscussion concerning the blood on the that noon and evening off." piece of porcelain and Liang's possible "I see what you mean." MnrtUm relationship to the events preceding nodded dubiously. "But after all your the double murder. But Vance was evidently as much in the dark as the reasoning is purely speculative." "Oh, quite," Vance admitted. "But rest of us; and there was little to be done until we had Doctor Doremus' the entire case is in a speculative stage Just now. what? . . . Anyway report I have even more definite Burke came to the door and beckevidence that Liang was here early last oned to Heath. night "Say, Sergeant," he reported from and I'll present him with it later do What you say to our having the corner of his mouth, "that Chink polite Just went upstairs. Rieht with von?" intercourse with Wrede and the Slenor Grassl?" Heath looked sour, and shot Vance Markham waved his hand In an angry look. assent "And we'd better go "Now, what's the Idea?" he bawled. upstairs" Gamble entered the hall from the Vance suggested. "Brisbane is not a dining room at this moment and pretty sight" TO BH CONTINUED. Vance addressed him. "What Is Liang doing upstairs?" "Fort Blunder" The butler seemed perturbed at The fortification known as Vance's tone, and replied with apolo "Fort Blunder" was Btarted in 1816 at getic obsequiousness: Rouses Point N. Y., under the "I told him to fetch Miss Lake's supervision of a United States tray, and tidy up her quarters. . . . The engineer. plan of the fort was octagonal. hiiouldn't I have done It. sir? You It was to be and occunv told me to proceed with my duties. s about of an acre The walls were to be about 30 feet Vance scrutinized the man closely. hleh It was believed that the fort "When he returns keep him downwould " 8tratCglc value' b b stairs," he said. "And you'd better ?Mf was found that the fort was lo- stay here vourself." Gamble bowed and returned to the cated within the limits of Canada, and work was abandoned. It was tuning room ; ana a moment later Docfor many years as Fort Blenderknown tor Doremus arrived. Its correct name Is Fort Heath went briskly out of the room Montgomery. Bv and down the corridor to the closet the Webster treaty of 1842 the fort was ceded to the United State are Back in Favor half-minut- e; ' ... dul-cetl- "By the By, Mr. Liang; When Did You Leave the House Yesterday?" tabouret of teakwood ; and on the floor near the hearth lay a copy of Tchou "Les Bronzes antiques de la Chine." Vance contemplated the tabouret and the book for a moment Then, "without turning, he said: "Mr. Liang, did you find this tabouret upset when you returned to the house early last night?" "I was not here," Liang repeated. "It will be a simple matter," said Vance, "to go over the tabouret for fingerprints and to compare them with yours." "It would be unnecessary, however," came the calm reply. "You would undoubtedly find my fingerprints on It I often touch the furniture and objects In this room." Vance smiled faintly and, I thought admiringly. "In that case, we shan't bother." He moved round the lamp and stood for a moment beside a circular camphor-wood table Just behind the davenport In the renter of the table, on a slender teakwood base, stood a white baluster-typ- e vase about nine inches , tall. I had noticed Vance stop and glance at this vase when he had first entered the library; but now he studied it critically as If something about It puzzled him. We were all watching him; and not the least Interested person In the room was Liang. His eyes were fixed on Vance's face. "Extr'ordln'ry I" Vance murmured after several moments' contemplation of the vase. Then he lifted his eyes lethargically. "I say, Mr. Liang, was this bit of pottery on tlietable early last night?" "now could I possibly know that?" Liang asked In a vague, mechanical To-y- 's voice. Vance picked up the vase and inspected It closely. "Not exa'ctly a museum piece, Is It Mr. Liang?" he mused. "Rather Inferior. I should say it was Imitation Ting yao made under Tao Euang. This piece would never have deceived The public is fast returning to the use of liquid laxatives. People have learned thnt th rioht dose nf I will properly prepared liquid laxative bring a more natural movement without any discomfort at the time, or alter. The dose of a liquid laxative canhe varied to suit the needs of the individual. The action can thus be regulated. 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