Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-04
CHAPTER TX
CThe Direction Finder)
URTIS-you were up

(The Direction Finder
|URTIS-you were up to
something devilish - I
knew itv' repeated Vario
as he faced Jack over the table at
| the Binnacle. "When you saw me
drive up here you suddenly chang
ed your tune. You ran to cover
to cover yourself!'
The waiter, Herman, sniveled. His
face was livid. He bowed and al
most famed on Vario, took hold of
him, for all the world like a drown
ing man catching at a straw.
Furthermore, believe you slip
ped that vial in this mans pocket
perhaps you palmed it-did a lit
tie sleight of hand. You inhuman
cad! I could cane you!
Ruth was speeches.. She leaned
over the table, half standing, an al
Turing little figure in blue. Her ex-
element had sent a blaze of color
to her cheeks. Her golden hair
framed her face in mass of gold
that shed a brightness over her
whole countenance. Ruth was
very desirable little girl and her
chief charm was that she did not
seem to be thinking of it all the
time.
Jack had been working himself
into an almost apoplectic rage as
Vario hurled the accusation at him.
He took a step forward in furious
defense, then shot out his forefnger
pointing at the teacup that had
been before him.
would I-poison-myselfr' he
menaced.
"We'n settle that" came back
Vario sharply. "I'll undertake to
label this all and seal tin the
presence of you as witness. Then
I'll send it to some reputable chem
ical laboratory for analysis. I could
do it myself-but-well, in other
words, We'll impound this evidence
until someone else determines what
it isl
The waiter scurried about getting
| TASKS. Vario turned to Ruth with
excessive courtesy. "Miss Walden
| I must insist-for your own safety
I'll drive you back to , the club.
I'll telephone and postpone the ap-
pointment L had at the Seaville
| 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 OBJ
vious. "Thank you, Professor. It's
very kind Of you to take such an
| interest"
They left Curtis standing, still
boiling with rage, beside his motor.
AS Vario's car disappeared, Jack
sprang into his own and shot down
the South Shore road toward a
short cut to the cross island high
way.
Nita Walden's surprise was great
when she saw Vario with Ruth.
where's Jack Curtis?" she ex-
claimed.
The moment of silence that fol-
| lowed was eloquent. ooh, Ruth,
dear, any more trouble?"
| Ruth was out of the car, eager to
give her mother more confidence.
mo, munmsy, nothing much {.
Jack was little off in the head &.
but Prof. Vario came along &.
4 anu .,r
Mrs. Walden beamed her apprecia-
ton of Varios help. Vario ex-
changed a keen glance with Ruth
and understood that she chose to
wait until there were more facts
before she made an open accusation.
He nodded and acquiesced.
| you'll let me know the-the re-
| sult?" Ruth asked.
Vario promised and with a forced
light-hearted remark Ruth turned
and ran up the stairs to her room
to dress for dinner.
Meanwhile, on the opposite porch
of the club which was otherwise de-
before, had tucked her arm nervous.
ly under Garrick'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 Gar.
rick, half confidingly, half fearful of
him. give been so afraid-ever
might have ears!''
Dick closed it and Garrick placed
a chair for Vira who sank into it
ragidly, turning and looking up at
his face as he stood with his hands
still 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 floodgates Of her heart.
Vira, all animation, now that she
had taken this step, did not wait to
| give him a chance
Its about Glenn" she cried
tensely, bringing her two hands to-
| gether. "YOu know all about the
Inner Circle and Georges.
| Well, Glenn was our treasurer when
We first started-is yet, in a way, I
suppose. Oh, it may have been all
right when we started. 1t was fun
| and all that. 1t was unique. It
was smart. But one thing led
| to another and Guy. Oh,
get him out of it 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 a 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. Vira 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 fright
| ened stare on her face. But she
said nothing.