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Hesprobably on his way back to his quarters.
The fact is, Ill have to go north
anyway in order toclose up the business. Salveter contracted his brow and set
his lips. That dagger, Vance explained, was also kept in one of the drawersof
the doctors desk.
The first sound I perceived was when you gentlemen came into
thefront hall and talked to Brush. Vance abandoned hislounging demeanor and sat
up.
Where did that Pharaonic dagger come from? Presentlyhe stopped before
Markham, who was watching him uneasily.
When I work at night I always shut off
the light on going and seethat the front door is fastened. The exclamation was
like a sigh of relief. Does that answer your questionsatisfactorily?
Unfortunately the throwing of the dagger was only part of the pre-arranged
episode. But Kylesmurder is as far from a solution as it was when we first
entered themuseum. Vance, if he does that, no juryllconvict him. The
sheathmight still be in the frustrated assassins possession.
Salveter could
have unlocked hisdoor and come out without my being cognizant of it.
Doctor
Bliss has just told us that it was some one who had designson his life.
Theres
a train to Boston from the Grand Central athalf past nine to-night.
Vance
glanced over a few of the upturned photographs.
When I work at night I always
shut off the light on going and seethat the front door is fastened.
The
onlyexplanation I can think of is that when I went back to bed I forgotto
relock the door. Then, at once, acynical smile overspread his face.
I dont like
that bird, Heath grumbled, when the Egyptian was outof hearing. That torn
letter hasnt been explainedyet.
Theres no possibility of DoctorBlisss
forbidding you to go, is there? Oh, he might have been thinkin caressingly of
Doctor Blissstrachea, Vance conceded. Vance tossed the photographs back on the
table. Has this dagger anything to dowith the attempt on the doctors life?
Would the fact that to-morrow is Sunday handicap you in any way? There were
other points about theaffair still less intelligent. Oh, but you dont, Vance
mildly assured him.
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