Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-06
BLUE MURDER
By Edmund Smell.
Crime
n



fortune completely in the shade.
Hitherto he had openly condemned
flying as q method of transport; now
he was contemptuous of the grea t multi
tude that had never sampled this Won
derful system. There was nothing in
it, he told himself You felt as secure
up there as you did below-and yet
he was not altogether sorry to set his
feet on terra firma again.
It was Taverner, however, who had
kept his self-pride in check. He could
not help admiring the calmness with
which man IS years older, than him
self dealt with his correspondence en-
route. for all the world as IL he had
been lolling back in the seat OF q first
class Putnam. This amazing per-
Sonality kept in constant touch with
his business. Wires were awaiting him
at LeBourget and again at Dion. At
the former he flashed a glance at Haye
and pursed up his lips. r'
mo sign of Greta at Rome, I'm
afraid, Dick. Looks rather bad, doesn't
| it?"
Halfway between Genoa and Rapallo
| Haye broke his long silence and talked
nineteen to the dozen. He reminded
Taverner without shame that 1t had
been his idea from the first, recalled
/
the extraordinary color-schemes he had
noticed when flying at a height and
eulogized modern science to the tree
tops He leveled fierce questions at
Taverner, and rambled on without watt
ing for an anSwer-which perhaps was
fortunate, for Taverner was fast asleep!
Taverner registered at the Casino
Hotel as Mr.. Gallagher, the name in
which his passport was made out. Haye,
having no reason to do otherwise, re-
tanned his identity.
We'll get in touch with Marney as
soon as possible" announced the baro-
net as they sat down to dinner. How
d'you feel, by the by?"-
Magnificent declared the volcano.
"Splendid!-I say, Ian! what an in
MIGRATING thing flying is! Can't think
why it hasn't become more popular"
His booming voice penetrated to
every corner Of the room and brought
a score Of faces turning in his direc-
| ton.
| .Taverner shot an uneasy glance at
his brother-in-law. His inherent desire
for self-advertiSement irritated him.
He began to regret that he had not left
him behind. There was no harm in
the. whole world knowing that they
had come to Genoa by air, but he left
that If he did not check Haye soon
enough he might blurt out things that
were better left unsaid.
Flying Is popular" he asserted, cas-
popular as 1t can be until the fares
come down."
"A fat lot our fares cost us!" thun-
dered the other, and winked heavily
across the table
Taverner gripped his table-napkin
with both hands and his complexion
changed from red to purple
Shut up, you COMPOUNDED idiot" he
whispered
A steely glare checked the eruption
that his reprimand was within an ace
OF provoking.
Haye had colored, too. He removed
an oyster from its shell and held it
midway between the table and his
mouth.
"All right" he protested meekly. at
haven't said anything I shouldn't have
1? You needn't be so deuced, ratty
In an effort to put matters on an
easier footing, Taverner pushed the
wine list under the others nose.
What are you going to drink?"
"Water!" snapped Haye sulkily.
Don't be a fool"
The painter wiped his mouth,
squeezed a minute section Of lemon
over a second marine mollusk and
showed signs OF interest in the printed
catalogue.
II hate this hole-and-corner BUSH
ness, ne grovled. What about
Grignolino?"
Just as you like" agreed Taverner,
and beckoned a waiter over.
The wine. was opened and on the
table when he put in a tactful inquiry.
Does there happen to be an EnTlish-
hotel?"
The little waiter drew closer.
The Slgnor Dighton, Signore: There
was indeed until this morning. A very
charming gentleman, you will UNDER
stand-very popular and very sim
Taverner frowned.
DO understand you to say that he
left his morning."
The other bent over until his head
came between the two Englishmen. :.
| "A very strange thing happened here
today, Signori," he declared In low
voice. "A young English lady came
mere to see the Signor Dighton. She
had come from Paris only last night
and had called to see him several times
without finding him in This morning.
however, she found him and they talked
| together for some time in the lounge
That would be about half-past 10 or
perhaps little later. 1 came into the
lounge in answer to the bell to find
Inls same lady at table by the win
ooW, converSing with another English
mana friend of the Signor Dighton's.
he ordered drinks vermouth for
himself and aranciata for the lady.
The Signor Dighton, as aftervard
nearu. was In the ONCE ordering an
automobile to drive to Portofno. He
returned to the lounge only a moment
before myself. What did we find?-
The other Englishman senseless on the
moor with wound at the back of his
neeo,-and the young English signorina
Taverner kicked Haye under the
How vanished"
The waiter spread his hands wide
apart
Some thief-some bandit perhaps
had come in by the door from the
stairs. chloroformed the poor signorina
in all likelihood and carried her of to
a waiting car. 1t was terrible busi-
ness! The Signor Dighton jumped into
a second motor and followed"
What happened them" demanded
| baronet
The waiter smiled family
Many things happened after that,
| signore. The police were telephoned
for, Per Bacco! was all the morn
ing answering questions!-Two hours
ago little Americana came here and
paid the Signor Dighton's bill He had
had an accident. it seems. and had
been taken to hospital"
And the lady" jerked in the painter.
determined to put his spoke In some
how; what happened to her?p X
The little man shrugged his shoulders
NOBODY knows, signore. II you care
to see it, will bring you the evening
paper. 1t has an entire column shonf
the affair. Late this afternoon the no.