chair. And as he did so, a change took place. The two men stoodrooted, staring.
As Melody began to fade. Slowly, slowly, into a transparent image,into a mist, into a handful of sparkling fog.
Then she was gone.
Mason knelt by the bone-thin body in the chair. He made a quickexamination and got wearily to his feet.
"Holloway is dead," he murmured. "Drugs of that nature would kill anelephant. I can't understand how he lived so long."
Kennedy blinked and seemed to come out of a trance. He frowned. "Andthe investigation hardly started."
Mason shook his head and looked pityingly at Kennedy. It was just nouse with a man like him. Mason said. "There's one point entirelyapparent without an investigation."
"What's that?"
Mason's voice was sharp and cold. "That our little playboy, for allhis reputation of frivolity, was a better man than you and I puttogether. Does that register, Mr. Kennedy?"
Kennedy flared. "Now see here. I'm only doing my job!"
"Oh shut up," Mason said.
And strode out of the room.
THE END
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