Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29


all that time her ears were straining at the
hushed dialogue outside.
Don't let's bump her off, Pete, if she'll listen
to reason"
At that chilling suggestion of death Doll
might have pleaded for her life. But she was
concerned in her own drama. She had opened
the seam at last, and her hand had gone down.
deep, deep into the lining. She grasped at the
thing she found, pulled it out A handful of
pale perfect bubbles shimmered family in the
half light. just glimpse, then she dropped
her find down the yoke of her dress. She wasn't
afraid it would work its way through, fan to
the floor, she knew the geography of that old
dress.
what could you do, huh?" Joyce was grum-
bling. shes stuck on committing suicide, that
kid"
Let me talk to her, Pete Sometimes a
woman"
Mrs. Harmsworth came in and closed the door,
"ThiS is hard-boiled bunch" she whispered 'I
don't like 1t any better than you do, but here
we are. Listen. They're both killers. You've
got one chance. I'm saying this for your own
good"
THANK you, Mrs Harmsworth. Do you speak
IS a detective?"
mo" She paused "That racket's played
out. But let me tell you, they won't make any
noise when they decide to bump you. Why don't
you give them the coat and beat it?"
Doll had backed away step. From overhead
an electric bulb dangled. ut isn't worth much
now, Mrs. HarmSworth. Those men handled it
pretty rough and" The room glared with
light. Doll had switched on the bulb. With
shrug she threw off the coat, let it fall to the
floor.
Mrs. Harmsworth bounced on it, thrust her
hand into the wounded pocket, CROPPED through
the lining, shook it. tore it. Then, discarded
mop, she cast it aside.
You were looking for the string of pearls
you stole from Tanquays, weren't you?" asked
Doll innocently
But they're gone-they're-"
Doll clicked of the light She didn't want
che men outside to come roaring on the scene
And she had invented a little fairy-tale plot for
fooling ogres.
IF you'd asked me In the first place." said
she, cit would have saved you lot of trouble
win you promise to go? If you stay here much
longer, you'll be caught I warned friend at
MeadOwbrook''-this was at random-"and the
cops have got your number"
Monks just changed the license plates"
rather breathlesSly.
Good. Then you've still got chance to get
away"
Not without those pearls. If they can't get
them, they'll get you. I know Monk, know
Pete"
Listen" Very conhdentially Doll whispered
81 tucked them under back seat in the car
That ought to be convenient for you. You and
your friends have just about time to pull
out"
Her words were wasted in the dusk; Mrs.
Harmsworth had glided out of the door. There
was a gruff challenge in the hall, then the
woman's reply: She's willing to give up. Go
get the coat" Doll thought of locking the door,
But there was no key. And nobody attempted
to break in. Feminine heels went tapping down
the stairs. "Hey, what's the idea?" That was
Joyce calling after the fugitive. Then, "MonkI
Monk!" in a muffied tone
As big feet were pounding toward the lower
floor Doll could hear the rasp of lock. Mrs.
Harmsworth had betrayed her gang shut them
in, appropriated their car. The listener up
stairs was startled by sounds Of breaking glass;
Running to a front window Doll raised the
shade and peered out just in time to see the big
sedan leaping through vacant lot toward an
other street. The two men in the road turned
and made rapidly toward the house. Their priS-
Oner thought of scuttling somewhere, but her
knees were queer. She managed to turn on the
electric bulb and struggled with window sash
1t came up six inches, stuck. She was too weak
for another effort.
Then the door flew open and Joyce and Monk,
pale and savage, stood scowling into the fun
light Their expressions changed to blank won-
derment. A scared little woman stood by the
window, her hand trembling as she held up a
string of magic bubbles, which glittered tempt
ingly in the light
"Chee, she's got 'em!" quavered Monk. But
Joyce, without a word, was coming on. 1t
automatic with Doll; the string Of pearls
swished like lariat as she tossed them through
the small opening under the window. Like
beams they clattered on the porch roof outside
SPOUSE that light" Joyces tone was quiet
Unconditional He got his arm under the
window sash. raised it little. It stuck again.
Monk switched of the electric bulb; in the sud-
den gloom he lowered over her, threatening
Then strength came back to her. Like a.