Only the churlish are mean-spirited in victory,
heremarked.
The Chief and Tarneverro went into the hall, and
presently Charlie heardthe front door slam.
I couldnt bear the thought of Shelah disgraced
before the world that hadso greatly admired her.
Well, the Chief said, so Tarneverros story was a
lie. Pardon me if I grow tiresome with much pounding on one point,but it is of vast
importance.
Perhaps we have, the fortune-teller answered
amiably.
Chan did not answer, but thoughtfully rubbed his
cheek.
You can not, then, tell me who it wasreclined
here?
Shelah Fanes troubles over now, Chan reminded
her.
Then when they came in here for coffee, they sat in
no prearrangedorder? I hoped you were going to ask me to help you.
Something is very wrong here, heinsisted. You can
not convict a man with analibi such as his. Then blow will not hit her withsuch
cruel force as in crowd of people.
Fortunate for him, letter when finally opened was
so worded as to addstrength to his lie.
Kindly hold positions just as at present, Chan
said. We are not, said Huntley Van Horn suddenly.
The Chief and Tarneverro went into the hall, and
presently Charlie heardthe front door slam.
Left alone, the detective stared thoughtfully into
space.
Was thatwhy you placed her with Shelah Fane? I
wasin the kitchen from twenty minutes before eight until ten after the
hour.
If Id ever loved her, I must come at
once.
Then he knew that blow struck in the dark was
notneeded, after all. Anna, I must make very odd request of you, he
said.
Onfloor of living-room repose plenty fresh
scratches.
The murderer of Shelah Fane, Chan
answered.
Please forget what I told you this morning.
Living-room is again at your disposal, he bowed. Afterhim came Spencer, big and
competent-looking. Fortunate for him, letter when finally opened was so worded as to
addstrength to his lie.