Evening star., 1929-11-25
seconds as II he must be- a victim OF

seconds as II he must be victim Of a
practical joke.
He teiephoned UP to Rhoda's depart
ment to find out If or when she'd gone
out to lunch and when, II they knew,
she was expected back. When they told
him she wasn't coming back that after
noon at all, he started out for the Tip
Top Inn.
This, as may be inferred from its
name. is reached by riding up In an
elevator. It comprises, really, q num-
Der of separate restaurants all opening
into q central lobby, where you may
wait for the person who is coming for
lunch with you.
Martin, considering his plan of action
in this lobby until Rhoda came out.
He had thought Of having her PACED,
but this course, though it would have
served his impatience better, had two
serious disadvantages. One was that 1t
would rouse the Woman'S curiosity and
might make her more actively danger
Gus than she was now. The other was
that. If Rhoda came out from the table
to hear his news she'd stay only min
ute or two and then go back to her
companion. What he wanted was to
carry her off. He could give their en-
counter at the elevator gate the ap-
pearance Of being casual. He could ap-
pear to be in the act of leaving himself,
and could very likely walk off with
Rhoda without giving the woman any
thing much to feel suspicious about.
He hadn't yet settled down to his
wait-he was at the cigar-stand buy
ing some cigaretteS-when woman
came up beside him and bought tele-
phone slug, He repreSsed the start her
voice gave him, though It was voice
he knew, and he checked his impulse
to turn and look at her, much as he'd
have liked to. He never had had a
really good look at her. Luckily, she'd
never seen him at all, nor heard his
voice. On the strength Of that refiec-
ton, he bought slug, too, went into
the booth next to hers, dropped his
nickel and called his own number,
which, Of course, didn't answer.
He hoped he'd be able to hear what
she said. II she'd left Rhoda in the
middle Of their lunch to come out and
telephone it was likely to be something
interesting. He was reassured by the
first half-dozen words she spoke. She
Of voice she had rasped right through
the thin partition wall Of the telephone
booth. He hadn't got there In time to
hear what number she called; indeed,
ne was barely in time for the beginning
Of her conversation, for she'd got her
party ut once. Some one, ne guessed,
who'd been waiting for the call at the
eyes. of course it's Claire" Martin
heard her say. Were you expecting a
call from somebody else? Now listen,
Max: you'll have to get 1t yourself. The
other thing wouldn't work in thou
sand years. Well. because 1t
won't, that's all She's too cagey-like
you said. So now it's up to you. :.
Why not? You we're crazy to do 1t yes
terday. Yes, and it's good thing
did, too. Because now can tell you how
to find 1t. Listen. It's in trunk. Every
thing; all the dope. don't know,
but you can tell, because it's sealed up.
Sealed. Get that? Sealed-like sealing
wax. Don't try to open it. Bring
1t right along. The whole thing. And
don't take your own car; get taxi
Bring 1t right UP to the fiat and wait
for me, If I amt there. I'll see that
you have plenty of time, but don't
want to waste any. Why, OF
course, you'll do it. It's easier now
than It would have been yesterday, be-
cause you know what to look for. {.
Listenl You know you can't argue
with me and you know why you can't
Don't you know it? oh, don't be
silly. OF course, wasn't threatening
you. Only. don't go yellow now when