Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-28

~
stoniness, the hand as steady as a
rock.
II don't know what you're talking
about" Benskin assured him quietly,
almost indifferently. Il came in to
borrow a can of gasoline. I've sent to
the village for some. but it's slow in ar
irving. No one directed me and I
haven't the least idea what your name
is or who you are"
AS though speech had relieved the
tension, Benskin found time for a
swift glance around the room into
which he had made so unfortunate an
entrance No apartment in the world
could have seemed less like the abode
of such a desperate person as its occu-
pant seemed to be-the prettily fur
nished drawing room of a country cot
tage. with French windows, through
which Benskin had entered, opening on
a trim lawn. The furniture was simple
but comfortable a case of tennis
rackets. a gun. and bag of golf clubs
against the wall gave the place home
~ appearance.
Lounging in a chair in the back
ground was a very attractive young
woman in golfing clothes. She had
been binding up the handle of brassy
and had the air of one listening to a
conversation in which she took only
the mildest interest. She was healthy
looking, pleasantly sunburnt, with
complexion that was innocent of cos
MeticS.
il occurred to Benskin that she
would have looked more in place on
the first tee at Sunningdale than as the
companion Of man who appeared to
carry an automatic in the pocket of
his flannel trousers. The latter spoke
again.
you are Benskin, the detective,
ofen't you?"
II am" was the prompt admission
"but I can assure you that this after
noon, at any rate, am not profession
ally occupied. I meant to take my car
out for an hour or so-sometimes even
a detective has a holiday!-stopped
down the lane opposite your cottage,
realized that was out of gasoline. saw
you and your sister were seated here,
and came to beg for the loan of can
of gasoline"
The girl locked up.
'Tt is possible, Alan" she suggested,
shat the man is telling the truth"
Possible, but not very likely" the
ether replied.
my car is out there in the lane, if
you doubt my word" Benskin inter-
vened. You will find further proof
in the fact that the tank is empty"
The girl rose to her feet. IT will go
and See," she announced.
She walked lightly out of the room
and crossed the lawn with flying foot
steps. The young man was unbending;
his tone remained full of menace.
Il don't believe in miracles, he scott
ed. You're the man I expected would
get on our tracks, and to tell me you
wandered into the one place in England
Nryt1n ma 1af 81 1orr 81 LIZ
accident, is a trifle too much. There
are only two people in the world who
could have given away the secret of
this little refuge. Out with the name,
and, if can think of any scheme to
save your life, I will"
81 have told you the truth" Benskin
assured his inquisitor II have no doubt
that the business of crime and its de-
lection continues as usual in my tenn
porary absence, but am finishing today
a weeks vacation and incidently re-
covering from an attack of influenza
That is why my knees are beginning to
shake"
THE girl reappeared. "The mans
story it true she reported You're
making an idiot of yourself, Alan. His
car is out there, and the gasoline tank
Is as dry as bone"
Then" the young man declared curt
~, you are the most unlucky person
I ever knew, Benskin. You have blum
dered into the most dangerous spot for
one Of your profession IN this part Of
the world"
Under the circumstances, Benskin
remarked, Il imagine it would not be
tactful to ask your name, but should
like to remind you that I am getting
very stiff in this unnatural attitude, and
your finger doesn't seem to me to be
quite as steady as it was. Couldn't We
discuss the situation under slightly
more agreeable conditions?"
The girl smiled very family. "For a
detective" she observed, 81 rather like
right about that automatic, too. Take
his parole not to go until we have de-
cided what can be done"
Il never gave my parole" Benskin
interrupted quickly. II am not free
agent. Under certain conditions, it
would be my duty to Scotland Yard to
break it,
"a sportsman, at any rate" the girl
approved. Alan, you don't need gun.
30 long as he hasn't got one himself"
See whether he has"
The girl made brief examination.
mot a sign of one" she announced.
Gross the ROOM" the young man en-
Joined, and sit in that chair. with your
face to the light That's right Lock
the door, Hilda."
The girl obeyed. Her companion low
cred his gun, placed it on the table, and
took seat within reach of the French
windows.
Nov. Hilda," he said, "let us hear
b. In,
the situation. What can we do with
Mr.. Benskin?"
II don't want to leave here" she ad-
mitted. 1--we just got my Golf Union
handicap, and there's a competition
next week. The place suits us both,
too. What nuisance you are, Mr..
Benskin''
"Ccnfounded luck!" the young man
n1uttered. There isn't one of you men
on the force would have had wit
enough to track us down here, and you
come and blunder into it"
You must remember" Benskin VEN
tured, that haven't the faintest idea
who you are"
Perhaps not" the young man retort-
ed but, when you get back to your
job-if you ever do get back to it
you won't be long finding out"
There was the sound of a cherry
CRY from outside.
Uncle Jo!" the girl exclaimed
Nov we're in for it," the young man
muttered.
There entered, in tennis flannels, a
plump, elderly gentleman He entered
smiling. but his expression changed as
he realized the presence of stranger
What a set!' he exclaimed. eying
Benskin inquisitively. six ALL and
three deuce and vantages. That doctor
follow takes some starting, but he's
useful when he moves. A visitor Ell?
Is it my fancy, sir" he added, "or is
your face familiar to me?"
ut might be-" the Young man inter-
vened. This is Mr. Benskin, Uncle 10
from Scotland Yard.