Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-31

INV
and glancing up into q mirror In o
country hotel and seeing man with o
poker which he Is about to bring down
on your head.
It came down. but not on Bills head.
He had demonstrated that man with
his blood, frozen can jump six feet side
wise II properly inspired.
Say" he sputtered. Indignantly,
what do you think"
He jumped again. The chap with
the poker was apparently q man OF few
words. He preferred action to argu-
ment.
Accordingly, Bill sprinted around the
Office table, swung a chair across his
pursuer's path and saw the latter crash.
The chap, however, had not let 60
of the poker and he was getting to his
feet.
This way out" thought Bill, and
made for the door.
ONCE outside, he sprinted for his
The starter did hs bit, the clutch
slipped in and the car shot ahead. Bill
was on his way. ready to slip into second
when something checked him.
Good Heavens-is he chasing some
body else around with that poker?" he
gasped.
One foot went to the clutch-pedal
and the other to the brake. Bill didn't
want to return to this most inhospitable
inn, but-well, it had been woman
who screamed, and there was only one
thing for him to do.
From the rear of the seat he took the
Jack handle-Bill knew that trick, too,
and returned. This time he was wary.
He opened the door gingerly and ducked.
Just In time.
'well, take it." grunted Bill, and let
drive with the jack handle.
The other man crumpled at his feet,
completely out.
II wonder tiff I've killed him"
thought Bill, unhappily.
Then, his head clearing, he remem-
bered that woman had screamed. He
gripped the poker firmly. He was
jumpy, the whole thing was eerie&
"Who-who screamed?" he croaked.
in a voice that even he did not recog-
nize.
There was no answer for moment.
Then. IL did" answered voice
that Connie herself did not recognize.
Where are you?" Bill asked, more
normally.
"In-in the Kitchen" answered Con-
ME.
The kitchen, surmis.d Bill brilliantly,
must be beyond the dining room, and
| the dining room was entered, he sup
posed, through the swinging doors. 1t
| was. Also 1t was dark. but the kitchen
was lighted. He reached the threshold,
proceeding warily.
On the threshold he ceased stepping
"Constance!" he gasped incredulously.
| What are you doing here?"
"Oh, don't stand there. staring Ike
an idiot!' she snapped. Come in and
unite me-"
He managed to resume locomotion
and, after some preliminary fumbling-
which she seemed to hold against him,
| toto free her. To do 50, Of course,
he had to relinquish his only weapon
| of offense and defense, and by the time
he had finished he had forgotten it.
Connie did not even bother to thank
him.
"Blooie!" she announced, as she
stretched arms and legs. My feet both
| feel dead. AS for my ARMS
She broke off, slipped one hand into
| the pocket Of her coat. From there she
produced an enameled compact and
snapped it open. And how my nose
shines!" she murmured as, holding the
little mirror before her, she proceeded
to remedy the defect.
I'm ever so much obliged to you
and all that" she said. very sweetly.
"You came in, what is known as Just
the nick of time. What happened, any
way?"
in the storm and was looking for . place
to lay my head. and chap came at me
with poker"
Connie shivered. He noticed that and
she saw that he did. And promptly
stopped shivering. She wasn't going TO
admit that she had been scared, never
would confess that she had tainted, and
was even prepared to deny she ever had
| screamed. -~e
ats cold here. she said instead. al
| though as a matter of fact the kitchen
was getting warm now. And added,
airily, THAT was the poker he was going
| to kill me with. of course"
WHAT" gasped Bill. why, he
he must be- crazy!"
"The lad Is cleveri' Knocked Connie.
"As a matter Of fact. I believe several
alienists so diagnosed his condition
after he committed his first murder"
"You mean-he's q murderer, too?"
Murder" explained Connie-she was,
somehow actually beginning to enjoy
herself, seems to be his fayorite indoor
sport"
"But-but how on earth did he ever
get you here?" demanded Bill.
THAT" said Connie, "is long, long
story. And what I'm more interested In
| inst now Is what you have done to
hint"
Il walloped him over the head" Bill
assured her In tone that testified that
his earlier conjunction had been re-
placed by sincere and even savage sat
, isfaction. Hes out-coldir
Much obliged" said Connie. "And
father viii thank you, suppose.
And, Of course. Pryce viii thank me, /"
supplemented Bill.
He hadn't intended to say that. At
least, not In that tone-as II he felt
| bitter.
aAnd Pryce, too" acquiesced Connie,
apparently not thinking anything.
~
THERE was silence for moment.
He looked ct Connie: Connie whose
pensive regard seemed focused on the
| compact--a rather STABLE one, COM
prising o full feminine artillery-fha
/ she sim held In her fingers.
Then, II read Of your engagement
CONTINUED On seventh Page.)