The Topaz Flower

I hope I haven't kept you waiting. Yes, this is the crime club. I'm the librarian. The Topaz Slower. Yes, we have that crime club story for you. Come right over. You're here. Take the easy chair by the window.

Comfortable? The book is on this shelf. Here it is. The Topaz Slower. by Sherlock M. Russell. The exciting story of a flower that was plucked by the hand of death. Let's look at it under the reading lamp.

It was a little after seven o'clock in the evening. The family and friends were scattered through the rather austere house, and Mr. Sloane was even more than usually indifferent to their comfort and his responsibility as host.

Wally Kent was the only person there who did not fear the old man. He even admitted to himself that he liked him in the stream sort of way, and that was good. Especially if the Sloans were inclined to be clannish, and Wally intended to propose to Natalie if he could find it.

After having looked everywhere else for her, he finally decided to try Mr. Sloane's room. Perhaps she had been closeted with her uncle. at the door he hesitated and squaring his shoulders he knocked mr. Sloan mr. Sloan is Natalie the her mr. Sloan hey mr. Sloan nice luck Natalie mr. Sloan Natalie darling have been looking all over the house for you the party

well honey what's the matter let me go Wally listen let me go I tell you what Oh my good God. Natalie, what were you doing? You call Mr. Sloan? Oh, Mr. Kent. Oh, take it easy, Bob.

Oh, but he's murdered. Mr. Sloan has been murdered. Get to the phone bar right away. Call Captain Tom Bain to the homicide bureau. Tell him what's happened. He'll be here right away. Yes, sir. Oh, and Bauer.