|
Theres no possibility of DoctorBlisss forbidding you to go, is
there?
Meryt-Amenwould have had no reason to go into the hall. Vance rang up
the Blissnumber and asked Brush to call Scarlett to the phone. Then he called
Heathand asked him to join us.
The onlyexplanation I can think of is that when
I went back to bed I forgotto relock the door. Vance lifted his eyebrows in
simulated surprise.
Especially in view of the excavations of the
Harvard-BostonExpedition at the Gizeh pyramids. Vance was apparentlyengrossed
in a photograph of four amuletic bracelets.
Well wait a while andphone him
there again. The picture presented to us to-night, d ye see, wasnt finished. I
never saw it in my life, he said in an awed tone. However, the dagger episode
doesntworry me half as much as something that DIDNT happen to-night. Yes,
Markham, he returned slowly; I think I know what the plotis. It could only have
come from the tomb of Ai. I wonder if I could have miscalculated this whole
affair.
Were going to the drawing-room for a while, Vance continued.
Hewas in
constant fear that Hani would unearth it, and swore me tosecrecy.
And I say,
Scarlett; if I were you Id keep away from the Blisshouse for the time being.
At
ten-thirty, the man returned aggressively.
When do you figure this final clew
will turn up?
Does that answer your questionsatisfactorily? He spoke with
impressive solemnity, and Markham, I could see, wasstrongly influenced by his
manner.
Forseveral moments he beat the devils tattoo on a large,
vellum-boundcopy of Malleus Maleficarum. Markham rose and stood contemplating
Vanceappraisingly.
Thought you were through with theBliss ménage for to-day.
The elements weretoo fluid, the cross-currents of motives too contradictory.
You apparently had no interest in determining whohurled the dagger at Blisss
pillow. Have you any business that might reasonably take you to Boston
to-night? Vance had taken several steps when he turned suddenly. Yes, I handed
him thebook and went on up to my room. It wasnearly two oclock, but Markham
showed no indication of going home.
|
