Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-06-21
CHAPTER X.
The Direction Finder
Continued From Our Last Issue.)

AkC AEE CGkGOAE 4
"Curtis-you were up to something
devilishI knew it!' repeated Vario as he
faced Jack over the table at the Bin
naclc. when you saw me drive up here
you suddenly changed your tune You
ran to cOver-to cover yourself"
The waiter, Herman, sniveled. His face
was liyid. He bowed and almost fawned
on Vario, took hold of him, for all the
a straw
Furthermore, I believe you slipped
that vial in this mans pocket-perhaps
you palmed ibid a little sleight of
hand. You inhuman cad! l could cane
you!'
Ruth was speechless. She leaned over
the table, half standing, an alluring lit
tie figure In blue. Her excitement had
sent a blaze of color to her cheeks. Her
golden hair framed her face in a mass
of gold that she'd brightness over her
whole countenance. Ruth was very de-
sirable little girl and her chief charm
was that she did not seem to be thinking
Of 1t all the time.
Jack had been working himself into
an almost apoplectic rage as Yario hurled
the accusation at him. He took a step
forward in furious defense, then shot out
his foreinger pointing at the teacup
that had been before him.
Would I-poison-myselfr he men
aced.
wen settle that" came back variO
sharply. "In undertake to label this all
and seal tin the presence Of you as
witnesses. Then I'll send 1t to some rep
utable chemical laboratory for analysis.
/ would do it myself-but-well, IN other
words, well impound this evidence I'M
Ill some one else determines what 1t IS.
The waiter scurried about getting
TASKS. Vario tuned to Ruth with ex-
cesslve courtesy, Miss Walden-I must
insist--for your own safety-Tn drive
you back to the club. I'll telephone and
postpone the appointment l had at the
Seville station No 1t can
easily go over till tomorrow, Your
mother cannot stand much more. She
needs you Ruth. She has been
through so much anguish IN the last
two days"
Ruth looked from vario at Jack, still
suffering impotently. Was It true? The
quickest way TO get out Of danger Is
often the most obvious. Thank you,
Professor. It's very kind Of you TO take
such an interest"
They left Curtis standing, stin boiling
W 4Lu rage Dt5iHE AA9 AAOAUAs 10 80 .
car disappeared Jack sprang into his
own and shot down the South Shore
road toward a short cut to the cross
island highway.
Mia Walden's surprise was great when
she saw Varo with Ruth. where's
Jack Curtis;" she exclaimed.
The moment Of silence that followed
was eloquent. "Oh, Ruth, dear, any more
trouble?"
Ruth was out Of the car, eager to give
her mother moro confidence. mo
mo, Mummsy. nothing much
Jack was a little off In the head
but Professor Vario came along
and ."
Mrs. Walden heamed her appreciation
Of Vario's help. Varlo exchanged keen
glance with Ruth and understood that
she chose to wait until there were more
facts before she made an oPen accusa'
ton He nodded and acquiesced.
You'll let me know the-the result?"
Ruth asked.
Vario promised and with a forced.
light-hearted remark Ruth turned and
ran up the stairs to her room to dress
fer dinner.
Meanwhile, on the opposite porch OF
the club which was otherwise deserted,
Vira, only q few moments before, had
tucked her arm nervously under Gar
rick's and drawn him into the privacy
Of the glassed-in, winter solarium.
"You may come. too, Dick" she nodded
back to him. "There-please shut the
door" She glanced at Garrick, half
conndingly, half fearful Of him. "I've
been so afraid--ever since | found out
how the walls might have ears"
sFs.i-
chair for Yira, who sank into it risiJly,
turning aud looking up at his face as he
stood with his hands stiu on the back
Of the chair.
There was something seething in her
mind and Garrick was just about to
make some reassuring remark that would
relieve the tension and open the flood
gates Of her heart. Vira. all animation,
now that she had taken this step, did
not wait 10 give him q chance.
TITS about Glenn" she cried tensely,
bringing uer two hands together. You
know ali about the Inner Circle
and Georges. Well, Glenn was our
treasurer when we first started-is yet,
In a way, l suppose. on, IT may have
been all right when we started. 1t was
unique. II was smart. But one
thing led to another and 3" Guy.
Oh, get him out of IL all get him
out Of It clean!'
Vira, flushed, had risen from the chair
and was standing with hands extended,
pleadingly before Garrick. AS she
finished there was little tremble in her
voice and she turned quickly. to dab
away tear that had gathered In each
eye. Garrick took her arms and gently
forced her back into the chair. Vlra
pressed the tips OF fingers Of both hands
on her flushed forehead.
But who's. the head of it all-this
Velvet Gang, as the police call It?
Garrick exaggerated a bit for effect.
Vira looked up quickly, a frightened
stare on her face. But she said nothing.
81 don't want to drag all you foolish
young folks into anything. I want to
keep you out of it. I'm not half SO much
even in catching these boot
Logging prohteers higher up as l am
in getting you out of your foolishness-
clean"
I'm sick of it all. SO are Glenn-and
Ruth-only ther're too proud to admit 1t.
Some one must make the break. l felt
that I could-swall0w my pride, Guy"
Garrick patted the little girls shout
der. Vira smiled up at him gratefully
and with confidence.
Whose was that gruff voice. man,
that l heard this morning over the die
tagraph in the Pink Room? Brooke
Garrick had figured on betrayal by
He in turn was not surprised /