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\ Tit Barawtll P»opl»-8«ithitl. Barnwell. 8. C- Thunidav. Mar «. 1937 - tu Garden Murder Case by S.S. VAN DINE Caerriefct S. a Vm Mm WNUSarvlM • •Hot DOW. No,” Vance returned. "A little bromin gas a few minutes ago; but the air will be clear in a little while. No casualties. Every ana doing well ... Did you want la see met** Garden looked round at the group antht—odwilbn puzzled air. - ' * “Awfully sorry to interrupt you, Vance; but the fact Is, I came for At doctor.” His eyes rested on Sie- fart. and he smiled dryly. “It’s the asaal thing, doc,*' he said. "The aaa ter seems almost in a state of tallspss she assured me that she hadn't an ounce of strength left.” A worried look came into Siefert’s “I’ll come at once, of course,” he •aid. He looked at the nurse and then lifted his gaze to Vance. "Will pou excuse me?” Vance bowed. "Certainly, doc tor. But 1 think Miss Beeton had better remain - here in the air for a while longer.” Siefert left the roof reluctantly, with Garden following him. Vance watched them until they tamed through the doOr of the pass ageway; then he spoke to the nurse. "Please sit here a few minutes, Miss Beeton. I want to have a talk with you. But first I’d like a minute ar two with Mr. Hammle.” The nurse nodded her assent and oat down a little wearily on the set- Vance beckoned curtly to Hammle. “Suppose we go inside tor a moment.” Hammle rose with alacrity. "I was wondering how much longer you gentlemen were going to keep ■w here.” Vance led the way into the study, and Markham and I followed be hind Hammle. "What were you doing on the roof, Mr. Hammle?” asked Vance. "I Said you some time ago, after our brief Interview, that you might go.” Hammle fidgeted. He was pat ently apprehensive and wary. ^There's no crime in going out htto the garden for a while— is there?” he asked with unimpres sive truculence. whatever,” Vance re- casually. “I was wonderin’ why you preferred the gardens to gaing home. Devilish things have been happening in the garden “Aa I told you. 1 wish 1 had gone. How did I know-?” “That’s hardly the point. Mr. Hammle.** Vance cut him short. "It doesn't answer my Question.” "Well now. look here.” Hammle explained fulaomeiy; “I had )uat mi—d a train to Long Island, and II waa more than an hour until the next one When 1 went out of here and suited to go downstairs, I sud denly said to myself, it’d be pleas anter waiting in the garden than in the Pennsylvania station ‘ So I went out on the root and hung around. Vance regarded the man shrewd- V and nodded his head. “Yea. as you say. Here you are. . Mart or iesa in evidence By the hg, Mr. Hammle. what did you see wtuls you were waiting in the gar den for the nest train*" “Not a thing — absolutely!" Hammle s tene was aggressive. “I walked along the boxwood hedges, amoking. and was leaning over the parapet by the gate, looking out at tfcs city, when I heard you come out carrying tha nurse.” Vance narrowed his eyes: It was obvious he was not satisfied with Hammle's explanation. "And you saw no one else either In the garden or on the terrace?" “Not a soul,” the man assured him "And you heard nothing?" “Not until you gentlemen came •ut.” Vance stood regarding Hammle tor several moments. Then he turned and walked toward the gar den window. "That will be all for the mo ment,” he said brusquely. “But we shall probably want to see you to morrow.” "I’ll be at home all day. Glad to be of any service.” Hammle shot a covert look at Vance, made his adieux quickly, and went out down the passageway. Vance returned at once to the garden. Miss Beeton drew herself up a little as he approached her. "Do you feel equal to a few ques tions?” he asked her. "Oh, yes." She smiled with more assurance now, and rose. As we crossed the garden to the balustrade, Miss Beeton took a deep breath and shuddered slightly. “You’d better have your coat,” Vance suggested. He returned to fee study and brought it out to her. When he had helped her into it she turned suddenly and looked et him inquiringly. "Why was my coat brought to the study?” she asked. Vance’s tone was reassuring. We really owe you an explanation. You aae, two revolvers figured in Swift’s death. One of them we all saw on the roof here—that waa the one with which the chap waa killed. But no one downstairs heard the shot hoc ■ uas the poor fellow met his end ♦ 1 ■ '■■■ - ■ to know If the key was in its place.** The girl nodded. "The shot we an heard,” Vance went on, "wee fired from another revolver after Swift's body bad been carried from the vault and placed in the chair out here. We were naturally anxious to find that other weapon, end Sergeant Heath made n search for it . . .” "But—but—my coat?" Her hand went out end aha clutched at Vance's sleeve as a look of under standing. cams into her frightened "Yea," Vance said, "the Sergeant found the revolver in the pocket of your top-coat Someone had put it there ea e temporary hiding-place." She recoiled with e sudden intake of breath. "How dreadful I” Her words were barely audible. Vance put his hand on her shoul der. "But it’a too terrible I ... And then this—this attempt on my life. I can't understand. I'm frightened." "Come, come," Vance exhorted the girl. "It's over now, end we need your help." She gazed directly into his eyes for several minutes. Then she gave him e faint smile of confidence. "I'm very sorry,’* she said sim ply. "But this house—this family— they’ve been doing queer things to my nerves for the pest month. I can’t explain it, but there’s some thing frightfully wrong here ... I was in charge of an operating room in a Montreal hospital for six months, attending as many as six and eight operations a day; but that never affected me the way this household does. There, at least, I could see whet was going on—I could help end know that I was “Vanes! Cbm Down From There!” helping But here everything goes on In dark corners, end nothing I do seems to be of any use. . . . But please don’t think I am not ready to help—to do anything f can for you. You. too, always have to work In the dark, don’t you?” ’’Don’t are ell have to work In the dark?” Vance murmured, without taking hie eyes from her. “Tell mo who you think coukl have been guilty of the terrible things that have happened here.’* All fear and doubt seemed to have left the girl She moved toward the balustrade and stood looking over the river with an impressive calm and self-control. "Woode Swift's death wasn’t at all the sort of thing I would expect to happen here,” the nurse said. "I wouldn't have been surprised at some act of impulsive violence, but this premeditated murder, so sub tle and so carefully planned, seems alien to the atmosphere here. Be sides. it isn't a loving family, ex cept on the surface. Floyd Garden is saner than the others. His in terests are narrow, to be sure, but, on his own mental level. He’s de pendable, too, 1 think.” She paused and frowhed. "As for Mrs. Garden, I feel that by nature she is shallow and is deliberately creating for herself a deeper and more complex mode of life, which she doesn’t in the least understand. That, of course, makes her unreasonable and dangerous. I have never had a more unreason able patient. She has no considera tion whatever for others." "And Professor Garden?” "He’s a researcher and scientist, of^petfrse, and, therefore, not alto gether human, in the conventional sense. I have thought sometimes that he isn’t wholly rational." "What is your impression of the guests who were present today?" Vance said. "I don't feel competent to pass Judgment on them," the girl re plied seriously. "I can't entirely understand them. But each one strikes me aa dangerous in his own way. They are all playing a gams —and it seems to be a game with out rules. To them the outcome Justifies the methods they use." "Yes, quits. You have dear vi sion.” Vance scrutinized the girl beside him. “And you took up t afraid af i are able to You are dm The girt looked embarrassed. v "You’re making too much of my profession. After all, I had to earn my living, and nursing appealed te me." "Yes, of course. It would.” Vance nodded. "But tell me, wouldn't you rather not have to work for your living?” She looKed up. "Perhaps. Bttt isn't it* natural for every woman to prefer luxury nnd security to drudgery and un certainty?” "No doubt,” aaid Vance. "And •paakin' of nursing, Just what da you think af Mrs. Garden'# condi tion?" •|ljDaa Bonton hesitated before aha "Really, 1 don't know what to say. I can't understand it. And I rather suspect that Doctor Siefert himself is puzzled by it Mrs. Garden la obviously a aiok woman. Sbajshows many of tha symptoms of that nerv ous, erratic temperament exhibited by people suffering from cancer. Though she’s much better some days than others, I know that aha suffers a great deal. Doctor Siefert tells me she is really a neurologi cal case; but I get the feeling, at times, that it goes much deeper— that an obscure physiological condi tion is producing the neurological symptoms she shows.” "That's most interestin'. Doctor Siefert mentioned something of the kind to me only a few days ago.” Vance moved nearer to the girt. "Would you mind telling me some thing of your contacts with the members of the household?" "There’s very little to tell. Pro fessor Garden practically ignores me—half the time 1 doubt if he even knows I am there. Mrs. Gar den alternates between periods of irritable admonition and intimate confidence. Floyd Garden has al ways been pleasant and consider ate. I’ve rather liked him for his attitude." "And what of Swift—did you see much of him?" The girl seemed reluctant to an swer. “The truth la. Mr. Swift asked me several times to go to dinner and the theater with him. I got the impression that he was one of those unhappy men who feel their Inferi ority and seek to bolster themselves up with the affections of women. I think that he was really concerned with Mias Graem, and merely turned to me through pique." Vance smoked for a few momenta in silence. Then he said: “What of the big race today? Had there been much discussion about It?" “Oh, yea. . For over a week Fve heard little else here. A curious tension has been growing In the house. 1 heard Mr. Swift remark to Floyd Garden one evening that the Hi Vermont Handicap waa hia one remaining hope, and that he thought Equanimity would aria.” “Was It generally known to the other members of the afternoon gatherings how Swift felt about this race and Equanimity?” "Yea, the matter waa freely dis cussed for days.” “By the by.” asked Vance, "how did you come to bet on Azure Star?” “Frankly." the girl confessed shy ly, ’Tvs been mildly interested in the horse • betting parties here, though I*ve never had any desire to make a wager myself. But I overheard you tell Mr. Garden that you had picked Azure Star, and the name was so appealing that I asked Mr. Garden to piece that bet for me. It waa the first time I ever bet on a horse. "And Azure Star came in.” Vance sighed. "Too had. Actually you bet against Equanimity, you know— he was the favorite. A big gamble. Moot unfortunate that you woo. Be ginner’s hick, d* ye see. Is always faUL" The girl’s face became suddenly sombre, and she looked steadily at Vance for several moments before she spoke again. "Do you really think it trill prove fatal?" "Yes. Oh, yes. Inevitabla. You won't be able to resist making oth er wagers. One doesn’t stop with the first bet if one wins. And, in variably, one loses in the end." Again the girl gave Vance a long and troubled look; then her gaze drifted to the darkening sky over head. "But Azure Star is a beautiful name, isn’t it?" She pointed up ward. "There’* one now.” We all looked up. High above we saw a single bright star shining with blue luminosity in the cloud less sky. After a moment Vance moved toward the parapet and looked out over the waters of the river to the purpling hills and the still glowing sunset colors in the west. "No city in the world," Vance said, "is as beautiful as New York seen from a vantage point like this in the early twilight.” (I wondered at his sudden change of mood.) He stepped up on the parapet and looked down into the great abyss of deep shadows and flickering lights far below. A curious chill of fear ran over me—the tort of fear I have always felt when I have seen acrobatic performers perilously bal anced high above e circus arena. Mias Beeton wee standing dose to Markham, and she, too, must have experienced something of the sensation 1 felt, for I sew her face go suddenly pale. Her eyas were fixed on Vance with e look of ap prehensive horror. "Vance!” It waa Markham’s ■urn voice that broke the ailenc* “Come down from there!” (TO tC OOffTtMLUfJ IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL CUNDAYI Ochool Lesson • W( n- Vi Lesson For May 9 ABRAHAM A MAN OF PRATER LXSSOM TEXT U llilT-M. GOLDEN TEXT—The effectual feme* prayer et a rtgkUiaa aua avaUeth bumB. Jamee 1:11. JUNXOX TONIC—A Great Maa’f Prayer. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC- Praying flar Others. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC— The Ministry et Intercession. Prayer—how many are the books that have been written on that sub- jact and tha sermons preached, and yet how little it is actually prac ticed. One can attract an audience to hear it discussed, but only a handful will come to pray. We ea Christiana agree that it is God's ap pointed way of blessing. We put up mottos* such as "Prayer changes things," or "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of," and then (may God forgive us!) we try to change things ourselves. We struggle with problems when we ought to pray. The lesson of today, from the life of that great hero of faith, Abra ham, stresses the importance of in tercessory prayer, that is, the giv ing of ourselves to pray for the temporal and spiritual welfare of others. In an age characterized by a grasping spirit of acquisition for personal advantage it is like a breath from heaven to read of this man’s prayer for others. L The Nature of Intercessory Prayer. 1. It is a Privilege. Abraham had been honored by a visit from God. The covenant had been re newed, a son had been promised. The three visitors looked out toward Sodom. God who had thus appeared to Abraham in visible form and had shared the hospitality of his home now extends to him the privilege of sharing in God's purpose. How glorious to be on such terms of con fidence with God, to know him and to know hia will and purpose! 3. It is a Responsibility. "Abra ham stood yet before the Lord”— why? To pray for Sodom and Gomorrah. Privilege and responsi bility go together. Those who have audience with the King of kings ar* there to carry the blessed bur den of prayer for others. Are w* praying for our children, our fami lies, our church, our nation? If not, who will prny? S. It is Objective, not Subjective. Some modern "religious” leaders would devitalize prayer by making it a sort of spiritual exercise which has only the value of developing our own aouL The prayer room la to them a sort of spiritual gym nasium where the eoul develop* Its strength and a spiritual sense of ' well-being floods the eoul. Undoubtedly the very fellowship with God which la inherent In prayer I Is spiritually beneficial, but prayer i actually deals with such things aa cities, men. sin. sorrow. It con cerns men’s physical well-being, their material prosperity, as well aa their spiritual welfare. It Is tha means designated by God for the release of hie power on behalf •f the object for which we pray. Prayer. 1. U nee Utah Abraham already had hia promise and his blessing. The cities of the plain were wicked, yet he prayed for them. Those who know the spirit of God are not selfish in prayer. 1. Courageous. Note the rever ent boldneaa with which Abraham pleaded the cause of the condemned cities. The Bible reveals that God honored men who had a holy cour age. History tells the same story. Wa celebrate this year the centen ary of one who prayed boldly—and believed, and labored—Dwight L. Moody. 3. Persistent. No one likes a "quit ter." Christ spoke of a man who waa heard for hia importunity (Luke 11:8). See also Luke 18:1-*. Saipe on* has said that when we pray we are all too often like the mischievous boy who rings the door bell and runs away without waiting for an answer. m. Results of Intercessory Prayer. The cities were destroyed, but the righteous were saved. God hears and answers prayer. This is the testimony of His Word, of count less Christian men and women of all ages, yes, of the men and women of our day. We know by experience that it ia true—"I cried; he an swered." He says to you and to me, "Call unto Me and I will an swer thee and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jer. 33:3). No Reason for Anxiety Anxiety is the poison of life; fee parent of many sins and of more miseries. Why, then, allow it, when we know that all the future ia guid ed by a Father’s hand!—Blair. A Leeg Life He lives long that lives well, and time misspent ia not lived, but lost —Fuller. Talk About Smart Frocks *« A UNT ALMA, there’s just one thing I don’t like about my new dress—it’s so attractive I’m afraid Sis over there will appro priate it when I’m not looking. Outside of that I’m crazy about it, and I think you’re swell to make it for me. Why—” "What's this, what’s this? If that isn’t a laugh. Aunt Alma! Imagine me wanting anybody’s dress. Why since you’ve taught me to sew-my-own I never want anything. I just make it and that's that. This sport dress, for in stance, took me only one after noon.” Praise From Auntie. "I think you do wonderfully well with your sewing, my dear. You’ll be making my clothes the first thing I know. I feel especially pleased with my new spring dress ai.d I have both of you to thank for suggesting this style. It does right well by my hips, and it's so comfortable through the shoul ders. I guess I should diet but in this dress I feel nice and slender. Don’t you see, girls, how impor tant ft is to choose a style that's particularly becoming? It's abid ing by this theory that gives some women such enviable chic.” The Patterns. Pattern 1280 is designed ir. sizes 12-30 (30 to 40). Size 14 requires 3^i yards of 30 inch material. Pattern 1233 is designed in sizes 34-32. Size 36 requires S4fc yards of 39 inch material. The collar in contrast requires five-eighths of a yard. Pattern 1284 is designed in sizes 14-20 (32 to 44). Sue 16 requires 3H yards of 33 inch material. New Pattern Book. Send for the Barbara Bell Spring and Summer Pattern Book. Make yourself attractive, practi cal and becoming clothes, select- l/ncla So WHh Al of ’Em Running a farm and running a newspaper consist in infinite at tention to details. But isn’t run ning any business that? Somebody always discovers how to be chummy with the un approachable man; and it is pretty sure to be one who isn’t afraid of him. Indignation is only another form of anger, and a great deal of an ger isn’t good for anybody. Silence ia an excellent pose, but you have to think about it all the time or you will forget. Peculiarities may indicate indi viduality, but they can be irritat ing. The Country's Mainstay There are old-fashioned people who feel that a debt is a kind of financial excrescence to be got rid of. How many people do you know who, you know, will be glad 4o see you? Isn’t it a restful feeling! v A too busy man and a too busy woman are likely to be exasperat ing. In the old Indian scalping days, how exasperated an Indian must have been to come across a vic tim who waa bald. Getting a Child's Confidence You don't need to "teach” a child a great deal, if you admit him into your conversation on the plane of equclity. If you want to flatter a man tell him he ia working too hard. Ne matter hew persistently yen say, "I told yaa aa,” nahady re members feat yen did. When you’re frightened, keep stilL You may pass muster aa e brave man. If you iik* a man’s dog. fee man will probably Uka yen. ing designs from the Barbara Bell well-planned, easy-to-make pat terns. Interesting and exclusive fashions for little children and the difficult junior age; slenderizing, well-cut patterns for the mature figure; afternoon dresses for the most particular young women and matrons and other patterns for special occasions are all to be found in the Barbara Bell Pattern Book. Send 15 cents today for your copy. Send your order to The Sewing Circle Pattern Dept., Room 1020, 211 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, I1L Price of patterns, IS cents (uv coins) each. • B*U Syndicate.—WNU Service. Gas. Gas AH theTlme,Can 9 t tat or Sleep “The gas •<• my stemsch waa aa Bad I ceuld net aat ar eieep. Bvao my heart teemed te hurt. A friend awe- •eated Adierika. The Brat deae I teak t owgnt me relief. Neve I eat aa I with, eieep fine and never felt Better." —Mr*. Jaa. Biller. Adterika eeta an BOTH wa*ar and I*war Bawal* while ardinary la>athree act en the lawer Bewtl enly. Ad lari ha givaa y#wr system a tharewfh cleane- "t*. bringing aat aid. aaisanawa matter that yea would net believe waa In year syatam and that hae Been causing gaa aaine. aaur etemach, nervaaeneas and headaches far months. BV. M. i~ Skmmk. New TerB, reports. "As eddlslea Se leseselael rfoaMled. iffl Uj yoalfr hAims »aslerle aad aetaa baffBE* Qlv* year Bawal* a RKAL cleansing with Adierika and aa* haw gaad yea feel. Jaet an# agaanful relieve* OAt and aanetlgatlan. At all Leading Oragglats. Step at Impcrtineade A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent. — Broom*. How CARDUI Help* Women Cardol la a portly Tecotable medl- tine, found by many women to mm functional pains of menstruation. It also helps to strengthen women, who have been weakened by poor nour ishment, by Increnslng tbelr appetite and Improving tbelr digestion. Many have reported lasting benefit from the wholesome nutritional assist ance obtained by taking CardoL If you have never taken Cardol. got a bottle of Cardol at the nearest drag store, read the direction and try It Unwanted Things What you do not want is dear at a farthing.—Cato. Watch Your Kidneys/ Help Them Clcanoo the Blood of Harmful Body Waste Year Udnara alter fro from the bleed atraan. 1 Uy SUeriae stream. But waste matter kidneys aometlmee lac la their work—da net act aa Nature Is tended—(all to re move Impurities that. If retained, may e aa the syatam gad upset the whole y machinery. Symptoms may b* nanlng backache persistent headache, attacks of disainsaa. getting up nights, swelling, pufflnam under the tysa a feeling of narvooa anxiety aad lorn of pep and strength. Other signs pf kidney or bladder die. order may ha burning, scanty or tea at urination. frequent There treatment Is . ■ Dees's PiU$. Doss’s have baen winaiag new fries de far mare than forty yea They have a nation-wide reputatli Ar* roeanuaandad by grateful people t eooatry aver. Ask gear nefgklarl Doans Pills CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT PHOTOGRAPHY