S. S. Van Dine
The Winter Murder Case
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Table of contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter I
An
Appeal for Help(Tuesday,
January 14; 11 a.m.)
“How
would you like a brief vacation in ideal surroundings—winter
sports, pleasing company, and a veritable mansion in which to relax?
I have just such an invitation for you, Vance.”Philo
Vance drew on his cigarette and smiled. We had just arrived at
District Attorney Markham’s office in answer to a facetious yet
urgent call. Vance looked at him and sighed.
“I
suspect you. Speak freely, my dear Rhadamanthus.”
“Old
Carrington Rexon’s worried.”
“Ah!”
Vance drawled. “No spontaneous goodness of heart in life. Sad. So,
I’m asked to enjoy myself in the Berkshires only because Carrington
Rexon’s worried. A detective on the premises would soothe his
harassed spirits. I’m invited. Not flatterin’. No.”
“Don’t
be cynical, Vance.”
“But
why should Carrington Rexon’s worries concern me? I’m not in the
least worried.”
“You
will be,” said Markham with feigned viciousness. “Don’t deny
you dote on the sufferings of others, you sadist. You live for crime
and suffering. And you adore worrying. You’d die of ennui if all
were peaceful.”
“Tut,
tut,” returned Vance. “Not sadistic. No. Always strivin’ for
peace and calm. My charitable, unselfish nature.”
“As
I thought! Old Rexon’s worry
does appeal to you.
I detect the glint in your eye.”
“Charming
place, the Rexon estate,” Vance observed thoughtfully. “But why,
Markham, with his millions, his leisure, his two adored and adoring
offspring, his gorgeous estate, his fame, and his vigor—why should
he be worrying? Quite unreasonable.”
“Still,
he wants you up there instanter.”
“As
you said.” Vance settled deeper into his chair. “His emeralds, I
opine, are to blame for his qualms.”Markham
looked across at the other shrewdly.
“Don’t
be clairvoyant. I detest soothsayers. Especially when their guesses
are so obvious. Of course, it’s his damned emeralds.”
“Tell
me all. Leave no precious stone unturned. Could you bear it?”Markham
lighted a cigar. When he had it going he said:
“No
need to tell you of Rexon’s famous emerald collection. You probably
know how it’s safeguarded.”
“Yes,”
said Vance. “I inspected it some years ago. Inadequately protected,
I thought.”
“The
same today. Thank Heaven the place isn’t in my jurisdiction: I’d
be worrying about it constantly. I once tried to persuade Rexon to
transfer the collection to some museum.”
“Not
nice of you, Markham. Rexon loves his gewgaws fanatically. He’d
wither away if bereft of his emeralds…. Oh, why are collectors?”
“I’m
sure I don’t know. I didn’t make the world.”
“Regrettable,”
sighed Vance. “What is toward?”
“An
unpredictable situation at the Rexon estate. The old boy’s
apprehensive. Hence his desire for your presence.”
“More
light, please.”
“Rexon
Manor,” continued Markham, “is at present filled with guests as a
result of young Richard Rexon’s furlough: the chap has just
returned from Europe where he has been studying medicine intensively
in the last–word European colleges and hospitals. The old man’s
giving a kind of celebration in the boy’s honor——”
“I
know. And hoping for an announcement of Richard’s betrothal to the
blue–blooded Carlotta Naesmith. Still, why his anxiety?”
“Rexon
being a widower, with an invalid daughter, asked Miss Naesmith to
arrange a house party and celebration. She did—with a vengeance.
Mostly café society: weird birds, quite objectionable to old Rexon’s
staid tastes. He doesn’t understand this new set; is inclined to
distrust them. He doesn’t suspect them, exactly, but their
proximity to his precious emeralds gives him the jitters.”
“Old–fashioned
chap. The new generation
is full of
incredible possibilities. Not a lovable and comfortable lot. Does
Rexon point specifically?”
“Only
at a fellow named Bassett. And, strangely enough, he’s not of Miss
Naesmith’s doing. Acquaintance of Richard’s, in fact. Friendship
started abroad—in Switzerland, I believe. Came over on the boat
with him this last trip. But the old gentleman admits he has no
grounds for his uneasiness. He’s just nervous, in a vague way,
about the whole situation. Wants perspicacious companionship. So he
phoned me and asked for help, indicating you.”
“Yes.
Collectors are like that. Where can he turn in his hour of
uncertainty? Ah, his old friend Markham! Equipped with all the proper
gadgets for just such delicate observation. Gadget Number One: Mr.
Philo Vance. Looks presentable in a dinner coat. Won’t drink from
his finger–bowl. Could mingle and observe, without rousing
suspicion. Discretion guaranteed. Excellent way of detecting a
lurking shadow—if any.” Vance smiled resignedly. “Is that the
gist of the worried Rexon’s runes by long–distance phone?”
“Substantially,
yes,” admitted Markham. “But expressed more charitably. You know
damned well that old Rexon likes you, and that if he thought you’d
care for the house party, you’d have been more than welcome.”
“You
shame me, Markham,” Vance returned with contrition. “I’m fond
of Rexon, just as you are. A lovable man…. So, he craves my
comfortin’ presence. Very well, I shall strive to smooth his
furrowed brow.”
Chapter II
Glamor
in the Moonlight
(Wednesday,
January 15; 9 p.m.)
Markham
notified Carrington Rexon, and we left New York the following
afternoon in Vance’s Hispano–Suiza.
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!
Lesen Sie weiter in der vollständigen Ausgabe!