|
She is still reclinin,then, by the side of the great west wind of heaven.
He
kept it ensconced under some papers in one of his desk drawers. And at the same
timeIll hasten the planting of that last clew. I mightstagger in and bask in
the color harmonics of the great Pont-Avenois.
So that bit ofstrategy was
achieved without difficulty. Therewas a reason for it, and I think I know the
explanation.
We were just repairin tothe drawing-room to hold a little
conversational séance. After dinner we returned to Vances roof-garden.
Markham
and Heath and I started down the stairs, Vancebringing up the rear. He kept it
ensconced under some papers in one of his desk drawers. I wasnt thinking of
thetechnic of the knife-thrower. Scarlett seemed rather astonished at
thequestion. After severalminutes he pushed the instrument from him. Lift up
your heart, Sergeant, Vance exhorted him cheerfully. And Id appreciateit
immensely if youd try to be calm.
Its to-morrow now, returned Vance, going down
the stairs andcrossing the museum.
Then he telephoned to Salveterand asked him
to come at once to his apartment.
It has to do with that hieroglyphicletter you
found in the study.
Theres an exhibition of Gauguins at Wildensteins.
And I
want you to go withoutquestion or argument.
Salveters puzzlement gave way to
astonishment. Markham and Heath and I started down the stairs, Vancebringing up
the rear.
The other grinned, and shot Vance an interrogatorylook. Then she
bentimpulsively, touched her lips to Blisss forehead, and returned toher
room.
Vance, if he does that, no juryllconvict him. It was less than
twenty-four hours when the culminating eventoccurred. The sheathmight still be
in the frustrated assassins possession. You spoke of some purpose to which the
letter might have been putbefore it was thrown away. Always kept secluded from
pryin vulgar eyes. He came, so Brushsays, at about eight, and must have
departed unobserved. My only concern waswith what the reporters call the events
leading up to the crime.
|
