Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1939)

finger in it to mark her place. Horn played the flashlight on Colonel MacFay's open door, and they crowded in. There was nothing much that could be done, Nick saw at a glance. In the straight white rays of Horn's flashlight, MacFay lay on his old-fashioned bed, covered, except for his legs and his right arm, by a wadded pile of blankets. His arm, grotesquely bent, dangled down to the floor. Nick put down his candle and went to the bed, with Freddie and Horn crowding him, looking over his shoulder. One look was enough. MacFay's death had been just as "messy" as Church had predicted, or dreamed. Van Slack, the assistant district attorney, a rather vague sort of person, with light, curly hair, came a few minutes after the police and took charge of the investigation. Nothing in the bedroom had been changed. The Colonel's body lay where it had been, and the disorder near the bed gave evidence of the struggle that must have ensued when he was attacked by the killer. Near the spot whei-e the dead man's hand hung down to the floor lay the lamp from the bedside table, with the wire torn out of it at its base, though neither of its light bulbs was broken. A crumpled, wet newspaper lay a little to one side on the floor, and on the bedside table, near the Colonel's right hand, a glass of water had been spilled. In one corner of the room MacFay's oldfashioned frontier revolver rested, and there was a bullet hole high in the wall opposite the foot of the bed on the right side. Both windows of the bedroom were open. The deputation from headquarters worked swiftly and quietly, taking measurements, photographing, and going over the ground thoroughly. Death, the Medical Examiner reported, had been instantaneous. The throat had been cut with a fairly large, heavy blade. There was a bruise on the left temple, from a blunt instrument. The knife was nowhere to be found. The Deputy Sheriff spoke quietly to Van Slack. "Mr. Charles says that Cuban threw a big knife at him. This might be the same knife. It'd have the marks of his dog's teeth on the handle." "Get some men busy in the bushes and look for it," said Van Slack. Cross-examination of those in the house produced nothing of any value, except that the Charles nurse had disappeared. "Personally, I think she shows good judgment," said Nick quietly. From a detective's standpoint, Van Slack pointed out to Nick, there were more people than one who could have desired the death of the Colonel. Mrs. Bellam stood to receive a hundred thousand dollars through the old man's will. Freddie, who had typed it, in his capacity as secretary, gave this information in response to questioning. Horn, despite the Colonel's objections, was hoping to marry Lois, who would receive the residue, amounting to several millions. Freddie, of course, had quarreled with his employer. To say nothing of Church, who went around dreaming of the old man's death unless he was properly reimbursed. Van Slack looked at Nick sharply. "Where were you when you heard the shot?" he asked. Nick laughed. "Well, you see, there was this blonde number I saw walking around in the bushes, and I — " "That isn't funny," said Nora. "If there had been a blonde number walking around in the bushes, he'd have caught his death of cold in the night air. As a matter of fact, though, he was in the room with me and Lois and the baby." A trooper came in. "There's a dog running around outside with a knife in his mouth." Nick and Nora spoke in one breath. "Asta!" Everybody dashed for the door. All except Horn, who stood petrified for a moment, and then ran for his room. Lois ran after him. Outside in the darkness, Asta was playing, dashing madly around in the bushes. "Here, Asta! Bring it here!" wheedled Nick. Asta dashed away playfully, and Nick went after him. Down the hallway and out into the night dashed Horn, stuffing a gun into his pocket. After him started Lois, her eyes wide with terror. After a moment she recovered the use of her limbs and slipped noiselessly after him through the bushes. In a dark spot Nick had finally convinced Asta that this was the moment to end his play. "That's the boy," said Nick. "Bring it here." The dog laid the knife at his feet. "Good dog!" approved Nick. He stooped to pick up the knife, but straightened up as something gleamed at his right, in the bushes. He switched off his flashlight and put his hand on his gun, every sense alert. He could discern nothing. Once more he bent to pick up the knife. Behind his back something moved in the shrubbery. From in front of him Lois crashed through, her voice coming tensely to him: "Look out!" / it s a genuine-registered Nick's certainly on the spot now! It will take more than quick thinking to get him out oj this one — and to solve the riddle of "Who murdered the Colonel?" without endangering the lives of both Nora and the new heir! What happens next? Read "Another Thin Man," which will be concluded in January Photoplay. WHOSE LITTLE BOY ARE YOU? Here are the correct combinations of parents and sons on pages 44 and 45 A-4. Tyrone Power, Jr., recently seen as the Indian doctor in "The Rains Came" and currently starring in "First Kiss;" the late Tyrone Power, famous actor of stage and screen until his death in 1931. B-l. Tim Holt, featured opposite Ginger Rogers in "Fifth Avenue Girl" and soon to appear in "Swiss Family Robinson;" Jack Holt, star of "Illicit Cargo." C-5. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., star of "Rulers of the Sea" and "Green Hell;" Douglas Fairbanks, noted acrobatic hero of past successes and leading figure in United Artists. D-6. Broderick Crawford, soon to be seen in "Send Another Coffin;" Helen Broderick, recently featured in "Honeymoon in Bali." E-2. Noah Beery, Jr., hit of "Only Angels Have Wings" and about to be starred in a new series of short features; Noah Beery (brother of Wallace Beery), featured in a recent English production, "Torpedoed!' F-3. Lon Chaney, Jr. (once known as Creighton Chaney), now playing the role created on Broadway by Broderick Crawford, in the film version of "Of Mice and Men;" the late Lon Chaney, still remembered for his masterly creation of strange and grotesque characters. This ring of Beauty will be her Joy Forever! She will thrill with pride and happiness when she sees it's a genuine registered Keepsake to be cherished throughout the years. Internationally famed experts select and personally approve every fine Keepsake diamond . . . leading stylists design exquisite settings to display them. Every Keepsake comes with the Gold Bond Certificate of Quality and Registration, giving you the fullest assurance of true worth. Leading jewelers throughout the United States are displaying the newest Keepsake styles in matched sets. Ask your dealer to show them to you. Send in the coupon below for the valuable bride's book. This Gold Bond Certificate with every genuine registered Keepsake enables you to buy with confidence. Keepsake is the registered trade-mark oj A. H. Pond Co., Inc., Syracuse, N. Y. Send for Book for the Bride-to-Be Keepsake Diamond Rings, 214 S. Warren St., Syracuse, N. Y. I enclose 10c to cover mailing expense. Please send me valuable book, "Etiquette of the Engagement and Wedding." Name Street and No - - — City PH 12-39 DECEMBER 1939 75