When the last one had left, he closed the door and
turned to Dinsdale andWard. How many cigarettes do you permit her each
day?
Presently hefound what he was looking for, and
returned to the study. Permit me, please, the Chinese continued.
Others, then, must have known she carried it, mused
Chan. Or at least by some one standing in the window. Can the fallen flower return
to thebranch again?
The old Chinese held a blue bundle under his arm,
which he nowproffered to the room at large.
John, she said, Im so happy to see you again. I
think, said Chan slowly, that one of your guests has to-nightstooped to
murder.
Dinsdale came forward, looking at his watch. Plenty
ladies around here, Charlie remarked. There for a long moment he stood staring,
behind him the murmur of manyvoices. Yes, with a brand-new bill which she peeled
from a great roll of them inher purse.
Ward nodded and put the log back in the basket. She
shrank away from him as he held the weapon close. At the time the shot was fired,
who was unaccounted for? I will go to my room, he announced, and I will make for you
alist. Cigarettes are not piled in neatorder, but are in unsettled
state.
Especially here, above the snow-capped mountains,
and thesemarvelous lakes.