Wouldnt he say he seen Sing creepin into the study,
anthen heard the shot?
Well, somehow, the shot seemed to be on the
balcony. Inspector Chan Says No Tree in Forest Bears Cooked Rice. My room is in an
ell in the rear, close to the road. Not even slightly, replied Chan heartily. O
course, mebbe Im a leetle unreasonable. Twenty minutes later, Charlie pushed open
the door of theover-heated little office.
You think this Swan knew too much about whokilled
Landini?
He leaves ithere in case of an emergency. And in my
room last night, he said, you, yourself, hinted at knowingsomething, too. In the
silence that followed, Charlie heard Sam Holt sigh wearily.
Tell me, is there train to Oakland this morning?
But not until, in an empty house down the road, he had shot and killedDoctor Swan.
Sing muttered something about the amount of work in this house, andretired. Ryder
brushed an imaginary bit of lint from the lapel of his beautifullytailored
coat.
Charlie followed the sheriff into the passage at
the rear. I go to my room to freshen up droopingappearance.
But not until, in an empty house down the road, he
had shot and killedDoctor Swan.
He came into the passageand pointed to a hook
beside the rear door. How manyyears did you have when you came to this alien
land?
Always been cooped up in cities,
aintyou?
As soon as the sheriff had gone, Sam Holts groping
hands sought for thetelephone on the desk. None save that of Doctor Swans unexpected
passing, about which you haveno doubt heard. How does he knowhe will put them on
again in the morning?
I have no information, Romano answered suavely.
Youve been wonderful, Leslie Beaton told him.
My nerves are all shot to pieces, in this
God-forsakenplace. He went to his closet, removed a tie and drewit around his
neck.
But one way or theother, Mister, youre tellin. He
then sealed the flap, and handed the big envelope tothe sheriff. Do you not long
toreturn to China, ancient one? He wished the Italian hadremoved more of that lather
before hearing the news.