28 chapters
6 hour read
Selected Chapters
28 chapters
SHADOW IN THE HOUSE
SHADOW IN THE HOUSE
BY SINCLAIR GLUCK SHADOW IN THE HOUSE By SINCLAIR GLUCK Author of “The Deeper Scar,” “The Four Winds,” “The Green Blot,” “The House of the Missing,” “The Last Trap,” “The Man Who Never Blundered,” “Thieves’ Honor,” etc. A. L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York Published by arrangement with Dodd Mead & Company Printed in U. S. A. Published by arrangement with Dodd Mead & Company Printed in U. S. A. SHADOW IN THE HOUSE...
50 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I “WE ALL SHOOT”
CHAPTER I “WE ALL SHOOT”
On one side at least, the dinner party had been marked by a sort of ebullient reticence. Landis and Elsa had returned two days since from their honeymoon and were still feeling a little dignified and unique. Erect and formidable in her stiff chair, Mrs. Paul Bernard appraised the radiance of her niece and found it genuine. Her direct regard swung over upon her recently acquired nephew-in-law. His expression diffused the subdued glow of a vast inner content, whereat she smiled. Something drew her
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II THE BLUNTED ARROW
CHAPTER II THE BLUNTED ARROW
In the rococo reception-room its recent owner still held the center of the stage, that dominance now one of arresting tragedy rather than of personality. He lay flat on his back, limp and motionless, cushioned in the pile of his own rich carpet. The glare of many bulbs from a gilt chandelier betrayed without mercy the heavy, self-indulgent, slightly distorted features. Death had robbed Harrison’s face of its dynamic vitality without lending it the dignity of peace. Graham’s admission that everyo
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III THE BROKEN ARROW
CHAPTER III THE BROKEN ARROW
In the brightly lighted reception-room the local policeman had helped himself to a chair, a delicate, gilded affair that looked too small and spindling to support his generous bulk. Bolt upright, he maintained an uncomfortable but stolid watch over the body of the dead millionaire. Doctor Stanford nodded familiarly to the policeman. The other three advanced and stood looking down at the object of his vigil. Landis and Bernard studied the position of the body both physiologically and in relation
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV SUSAN HAD HYSTERICS
CHAPTER IV SUSAN HAD HYSTERICS
Dead silence greeted this unenlightening statement. Brent’s face was a battleground of doubt and annoyance. Landis decided from the look in the elderly lawyer’s eye that he had gone far enough. He turned to Graham. “Now that we’ve gone over the ground a bit,” he said, “I wish you’d give me a list of the people in the house, will you?” “Let’s see,” Graham began quickly, “the two girls, Isabelle and Anita—” “Were they both at home this evening when their father was murdered?” interrupted Bernard.
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V “A SOMEWHAT POMPOUS MAN”
CHAPTER V “A SOMEWHAT POMPOUS MAN”
When Graham returned with Miss Mount and introduced them to her, Landis rose and acknowledged the honor with his most pleasant manner. Brent and Bernard got more slowly to their feet, Brent contenting himself with a brief bow while Bernard bade her good evening gruffly, his words accompanied by a penetrating regard that contrived to avoid offense. Miss Mount was of the type described by the Victorians as “a fine figure of a woman.” That is, she was well developed but slender of shoulder and wais
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE
CHAPTER VI ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE
Brent smiled openly and Graham discreetly at Bernard’s expense. Landis contented himself with an inquiring glance toward his imperturbable friend. Here was the type of case to arouse every man-hunting instinct in the subtle old detective. Bernard was subtle, far more subtle than his brusque, sometimes overbearing methods seemed to indicate. Of this he had shown ample evidence in the Carson case. No doubt he would give proof of it in this case as well. In the meantime, Landis proposed to give him
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII THE BUTLER’S SUITE
CHAPTER VII THE BUTLER’S SUITE
There were no front stairs to the third floor, Miss Mount explained. She led the way to the other end of the hall, toward Anita’s room. Here a door on the right admitted them to a narrow servants’ hall in which they mounted an upward flight to emerge, apparently, upon the back stage of a theatre. To their left, a row of small dressing-rooms extended toward the front of the house. To their right, a backdrop of unpainted canvas formed, with the rear wall, a narrow passage across the rear of the st
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII STIMSON WONDERS TOO
CHAPTER VIII STIMSON WONDERS TOO
They had reached the second floor and were preparing to descend the main staircase when Bernard, who led the van, turned back suddenly to confront Miss Mount. “By the way, was Joel Harrison in the house when his brother was murdered?” he growled. “I don’t know. Probably he was in bed, as I told you.” “Then why didn’t you send for him to take charge of matters instead of for Graham here?” “Because Mr. Joel is dreamy, absent-minded and quite incapable of handling a situation requiring the care and
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX “SHOW THE GENTLEMAN OUT”
CHAPTER IX “SHOW THE GENTLEMAN OUT”
Instead of replying to this veiled and rather insolent defense, Bernard chose to hold his peace. He remained hunched down in his chair and resumed his unwavering stare at the butler. Stimson continued to support it with unruffled and somber equanimity. Landis picked up the thread of his questioning: “Have you seen that Japanese bow anywhere else at all except there at the end of the library, Stimson?” “No, sir.” “At any time?” “Have you seen anyone near it or touching it in this room, or appeari
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X “SOLICITOUSLY”
CHAPTER X “SOLICITOUSLY”
After the butler’s denial of guilt in deed, whatever his thought, neither detective spoke for a moment. At length Landis rose to his feet and nodded to Stimson. “Step this way, will you?” he requested. Stimson got up with composure and followed his guide toward the sergeant of police. “Sergeant Forbes,” said Landis, “we are questioning the household one by one. I believe it would be a good idea, after we finish with each, if he or she stayed at this end of the room under your eyes. You understan
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI THE OLD MAN WHO CALLED
CHAPTER XI THE OLD MAN WHO CALLED
A few more questions indicated that Helen had no further useful knowledge to impart. Landis took her to the library and went to the kitchen, returning with James Harley, the chauffeur-gardener. Harley was a rugged, red-haired man of middle age who looked as if he possessed a sense of humor. Landis invited him to be seated and asked him to tell them where he had been and what he had seen since his return from town. “Well, sir,” he began in a rich voice, “I brought the boss home about a quarter pa
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE
CHAPTER XII THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE
When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants. He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them. Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time. With the sergea
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII “A BIT OF A RISK”
CHAPTER XIII “A BIT OF A RISK”
Leaving Russell in the library, Landis went back to the billiard-room where he found Allen in an easy chair smoking and looking thoughtfully into the fire. Allen rose at once and followed him to the drawing-room, sat down with a slight smile and eyed the two detectives inquiringly. They studied him in silence for a few seconds as they had studied Russell. He was of an entirely different type. Though tall, like Russell, he was slender and wiry rather than muscular. His hair was very dark. His eye
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV THE MISSES HARRISON
CHAPTER XIV THE MISSES HARRISON
Landis walked to the hanging Japanese gongs and tapped a scale on their inverted bowls, his touch soft and funereal to suit the occasion. The door of Isabelle Harrison’s bedroom opened and Miss Mount appeared upon the balcony above. At the same moment Anita Harrison opened her door and they saw her near the head of the stairs. Bernard, a great believer in first impressions, took stock of Anita. Miss Mount ignored him and addressed Landis. “You wanted me?” she inquired evenly. “We’d like a few wo
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV “WITHOUT CONSULTING ANYONE”
CHAPTER XV “WITHOUT CONSULTING ANYONE”
While the expert examined the armor and then the door for finger-prints, Landis went into the hall and once again sounded the gong. Miss Mount appeared as promptly as before. He asked her to come downstairs for a few minutes. When she consented he returned to the library and posted Sergeant Forbes in the hall to watch Joel Harrison’s door. The policeman he sent back into the reception-room. When Miss Mount appeared he led her to a chair and sat down facing her. “Sorry to bother you again, Miss M
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI A LACE HANDKERCHIEF
CHAPTER XVI A LACE HANDKERCHIEF
Landis and Bernard were rather worse than disgusted. To date it was a case almost without a clue, except the small, blurred finger-prints on the door. Now those were gone. It was humanly natural for both of them to glare at Thorpe as though the fault were his. The ill humor of Landis broke in laughter. A certain perfumed lace handkerchief remained to them and might easily prove of greater use than blurred finger-prints. “It’s bad luck and my mistake, Thorpe,” he admitted. “There’s nothing else y
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII “WALK INTO MY PARLOR”
CHAPTER XVII “WALK INTO MY PARLOR”
The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up. Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity. He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs. At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase. Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII “NOTHING MUCH ANYHOW!”
CHAPTER XVIII “NOTHING MUCH ANYHOW!”
“When I got home tonight,” began Anita slowly, “I could see that Fred was mad because I’d been flirting with Hobart. As soon as I got to my room Isabelle came in and yelped about it. About five minutes past seven I did come down the back stairs to talk to Fred alone. I closed the door into the library so Dad wouldn’t ask where I was going. Then I went on to Fred’s room and made it up with him.” “You couldn’t do that later?” Landis inquired. “I could. But you’re always being interrupted when ther
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX WHY MRS. GRAHAM SCREAMED
CHAPTER XIX WHY MRS. GRAHAM SCREAMED
After breakfast next morning the coroner came to the house for Harrison’s body. Landis had a talk with him in the library, promising him a set of photographs in time for the inquest, then telling him Allen’s and Anita’s story in full and asking permission to withhold it at that runction. The coroner proved intelligent, reasonable and a gentleman. As Landis and Bernard had the case, he promised to call no more evidence than necessary to establish the facts of the murder. He departed quietly, taki
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX ANOTHER LOCKED DOOR
CHAPTER XX ANOTHER LOCKED DOOR
Physically stunned by surprise, the two detectives stared at Stimson’s lean, dark face, while, with the swiftness of a dream, their trained mentalities passed the whole case in review—to no purpose. In face of the little they had learned, such a second killing seemed utterly meaningless. It supplied no dreadful link, fitted no vacant niche in even the most shadowy of their theories. By slightly different channels they swung to the same mental mooring. First and second killing, if done by the sam
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI GRAHAM IS NOT A FOOL
CHAPTER XXI GRAHAM IS NOT A FOOL
Left alone, except for a highly intrigued sergeant of police at the end of the library, Landis and Bernard stared at each other with frowning eyes. “There’s something rotten in Denmark!” Bernard growled. “Mother-in-law stuff?” hinted Landis. “Natural maternal jealousy? She couldn’t possibly have shot him!” He had lowered his voice so that Sergeant Forbes would not hear. Bernard heaved about in his chair. “Lord knows,” he sighed. “Well, let’s quiz the others, especially ‘Uncle Joel’! We may learn
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII A QUESTION OF ANGLE
CHAPTER XXII A QUESTION OF ANGLE
When they reached the lower hall, Bernard went to the library door and looked in. At the far end the faithful sergeant stood on guard. Otherwise the room was deserted. Landis paused at the foot of the stairs, pulling at his lip in a brown study. Presently an instinct of blind reconnoitering led him to the drawing-room door. Though flooded with light the room had no occupant. He crossed the hall to find Bernard brooding in front of the library fire. Landis passed on to the end of the room and acr
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII THE WORST POSSIBLE TASTE
CHAPTER XXIII THE WORST POSSIBLE TASTE
When the butler’s footsteps had died away to silence, Landis began to chuckle. “I’ve a lot more respect for Miss Mount and the servants in this house than I have for the family!” he laughed. “Personally, I’m inclined to believe Stimson! I think he’s glad somebody murdered Harrison. But I don’t think he did it. He’s just as curious as we are to find out who did! That planted bit of feather, if it was planted, would make me mighty curious, I know!” “It doesn’t look as if he did it,” nodded Bernard
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIV THE SOUND OF RUNNING FEET
CHAPTER XXIV THE SOUND OF RUNNING FEET
They were received in the dining-room, where family and guests were still assembled, with a mixture of curiosity and barely civil reserve. Miss Mount saw formally to their wants and Stimson was attentive in his dignified way. Bernard and Landis managed to endure the frost while inwardly amused at the damper their presence placed on conversation. Of them all, only Mrs. Graham had smiled when she said good morning. The detectives ate their breakfast placidly. Farther advanced with theirs, the othe
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXV BERNARD OFFERS A HINT
CHAPTER XXV BERNARD OFFERS A HINT
Landis, who rather prided himself upon his habitual serenity during the course of an investigation, found himself exasperated to a degree that made it increasingly difficult to maintain his customary poise. The circumstantial evidence against Miss Mount was physically without a flaw. Psychologically it did not satisfy him. That the lady possessed a temper was evident. Baited to sudden overwhelming rage she might strike and damn the consequences. As a type to plan and perpetrate a cold-blooded mu
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVI MOTIVE AND METHOD
CHAPTER XXVI MOTIVE AND METHOD
Bernard was rubbing his hands. He turned on Landis before his younger colleague had fully recovered from his surprise. “And now to business,” he said. “With your permission, Landis, I propose to have a full confession from Graham. I think I know most of the details but we want a confession.” White and shaken, Graham was staring at Bernard with hurt amazement. “You don’t think I have anything to confess!” he gasped. “I don’t think it! I know it!” snapped Bernard. “We caught you red-handed, my lad
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVII “SO HOME AND TO BED”
CHAPTER XXVII “SO HOME AND TO BED”
With one twitch on a bit of black thread, Graham had made his confession, his atonement and his escape from the law. A few moments later Landis descended to the library, telephoned quietly for an ambulance to come to the door at the end of the wing and rang up the local prosecutor to make an immediate appointment at his home. He hung up and walked to the hall doorway. Family and guests were still at lunch, for no unusual sound had penetrated from the second-floor wing to the dining-room. Russell
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter