you do. Everybody will. Iâll show them. Youâve called the police, of course.â
âNot yet,â Kirk answered.
She sat down resolutely at the desk, and took up the telephone. âDavenport 20,â she said. âThe Hall of Justice?⦠Captain Flannery, please ⦠HelloâCaptain? Miss Morrow of the district attorneyâs office speaking. There has been a murder in Mr. Kirkâs office on the top floor of the Kirk Building. You had better come yourself ⦠Thank you ⦠YesâIâll attend to that.â
She got up, and, going round the desk, bent over Sir Frederic. She noted the book, and her eyes strayed wonderingly to the stocking feet. Inquiringly she turned to Chan.
âThe slippers of Hilary Galt,â he nodded. âSouvenir of that unhappy case, they adorned his feet when he came down. Here is Paradiseâhe will explain to you.â
The butler had returned, and Miss Morrow faced him. âTell us what you know, please,â she said.
âI was busy in the pantry,â Paradise said. âI thought I heard the buzz of the burglar alarm by Mr. Kirkâs bedâthe one connectedwith the windows and safe in this room. I hastened to make sure, but Sir Frederic was just behind. It was almost as though he had been expecting it. I donât know how I got that impressionâIâm odd that wayââ
âGo on,â said the girl. âSir Frederic followed you into Mr. Kirkâs room?â
âYes, Miss. âThereâs someone below, sir,â I said. âSomeone who doesnât belong there.â Sir Frederic looked back into the pitch dark living-room. âI fancy so, Paradise,â he said. He was smiling. âI will attend to it. No need to disturb Mr. Kirk or his guests.â I followed him into his room. He tossed off his patent leather pumps. âThe stairs are a bit soiled, I fear, sir,â I reminded him. He laughed. âAh, yes,â he said. âBut I have the very thing.â The velvet slippers were lying near his bed. He put them on. âI shall walk softly in these, Paradise,â he told me. At the head of the stairs, I stopped him. A sort of fear was in my heartâI am given to thatâto having premonitionsââ
âYou stopped him,â Kirk cut in.
âI did, sir. Respectfully, of course. âAre you armed, Sir Frederic?â I made bold to inquire. He shook his head. âNo need, Paradise,â he answered. âI fancy our visitor is of the weaker sex.â And then he went down, sirâto his death.â
They were silent for a moment, pondering the servantâs story.
âWe had better go,â said the girl, âand tell the others. Someone must stay here. If itâs not asking too much, Mr. Chanââ
âI am torn with grief to disagree,â Chan answered. âPlease pardon me. But for myself, I have keen eagerness to note how this news is taken in the room above.â
âAh, yes. Naturally.â
âI shall be glad to stay, Miss,â Paradise said.
âVery well,â the girl answered. âPlease let me know as soon as Captain Flannery arrives.â She led the way above, and Kirk and the little detective from Honolulu followed.
Barry Kirkâs guests were seated, silent and expectant, in the now brightly lighted living-room. They looked up inquiringly as the three from below entered. Kirk faced them, at a loss how to begin.
âI have dreadful news for you,â he said. âAn accidentâa terrible accident.â Chanâs eyes moved rapidly about the group and, making their choice, rested finally on the white, drawn face of Eileen Enderby. âSir Frederic Bruce has been murdered in my office,â Kirk finished.
There was a momentâs breathless silence, and then Mrs. Enderby got to her feet. âItâs the dark,â she cried in a harsh, shrill voice. âI knew it. I knew
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