Markham, with a gesture of annoyance, waved to the
deputy sheriff totake Skeel back to the Tombs.
Skeels appearance that morning belied his sobriquet
of Dude.
And her screams would seem to indicatethat he came
forth from hiding a few minutes after I went. And you had no suspicion of the fact
when you heard her call forhelp? The case was discussed for another half hour; then
Spotswoodeexcused himself and left us.
Ill admit, said Markham coolly, that a homicidal
mania is myidea of madness.
But let me tell you, its a subtle crime, if ever
there wasone.
But tell me: didnt the sight shake you up a bit? Of
course it did, murmured Vance, lapsing into lethargy.
There was an oiliness andshrewdness in the mans
manner which were at once repulsive andarresting. The silence that followed
wasbroken by Skeel.
Hehesitated, and a look almost of appeal came into
his eyes. Tracy was dismissed, and Mannix was ushered in.
You still play it with two decks, I suppose,
andpermit round-the-corner mating? Also,get me a line on Doctor Ambroise
Lindquist.
Permit me a suggestion, Markham, he said, after a
moments search. This chaps mania is outside yourpreposterously revered law. If only
I hadnt taken so much for granted! Weve made no arrest, but one may be expected
inthe very near future.
Markham, with a gesture of annoyance, waved to the
deputy sheriff totake Skeel back to the Tombs.
He pressed a buzzer and ordered a clerk to fill out
the necessaryrequisition.
Mannix made no difficulty about coming, he
reported.