The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-27
Murder Al BRIDGE


As Tracey Miles passed the first
bri, &c table Lois Dunlap linked her
arm in his, saying in voice she
tried 10 make gay and natural:
I'm trailing along, Tracey. Sim
ply dying for sip of Scotchl Nita's
is the real stuff-which is more than
my fussy old Pete can get half the
timel-and you know I loathe cock
tails"
The two passed on into the din
ing room, the players scarcely rails
ing their eyes from their cards,
which they held as If the game were
real.
Dundee, his watch still in his
hand, advanced to the bridge table
Strolling from player to player, he
took mental photographs of each
hand, then took his stand behind
Penny's chair to observe the horri-
bly, farcical playing Of it.
Poor little Penny he reflected.
She hadn't had a chance against
that dumbbell across the table from
her. Fancy any ones doubling a
little slam bid on hand like Caro-
Ign brakes.
Karens hand trembled as she
drew the nine Of clubs from the
dummy, but Penny's fingers were
quite steady as she followed with
the deuce Of clubs, to which Karen
added with a trace of Characters
tic and rather charming uncertainty,
the eight
There's our book" Carolyn
Drake exulted conscientiously, but
she cast an apologize glance at
Penny. If we take one more trick
We set them"
Fat chancel" Penny obligingly
responded, and Dundee, relieved,
knew that the farcical game would
he played now almost exactly, and
with the same comments, as it had
been played while Mia Selim was
being murdered. Thanks to Penny
Grain!
DRlDLING and with a great snow
ID of triumph, Carolyn Drake then
led the deuce of diamonds, to which
Karen added the jack from the
dummy, and upon which Karen
shruggingly placed her king. tc find
the trick, as she had suspected in
the original game, trumped by the
five of spades, since Karen had no
diamonds at all.
so that settles US, Carolyn"
Penny commented bitingly.
Her partner rose TO the role she
was playing. We'll, as told you,
I always double little slam on
principle. Besides, how could l
know they would have a chance for
cross-ruff1ing in both clubs and dia-
monds?
I thought you at least could hold
the ace of diamonds and that Karen
would certainly have one, as 1 only
had four of them"
"And the dummy sitting there
with a string of six diamonds"
Penny retorted; then with shrug,
ooh, WE'LL Play bridget" for Karen
was sitting staring at her cards
helplessly.
Il guess I'd better get my
trumps out" Karen-nOW almost a
genuine actress, too-breathed
TREMENDOUSLY. Il do wish-wish Nita
were playing this hand. know I'll
muff it somehow"
"Good kidd" Dundee thought, and
took the liberty of patting Karen
on her slim shoulder.
The girl-wife threw him an up
ward glance of gratitude through
misty eyes, then led the six of
spades. Mrs. Drake contributing the
four. dummy taking the trick with
the ace, and Penny relinquishing
her three.
Let's see-that makes five of 'em
in, since trumped one trick"
Karen said, as she reached across
the table to leaG from dummy.
AS if the words we're a cue
which they probably were-Judge
Marshall entered the room at that
moment.
Judge Marshall, making a great
effort to be as jaunty, debonair and
young for his age" as he must
have thought he looked when the
real game was being played.
At his step Karen lifted her head,
smiled TREMENDOUSLY, and greeted her
elderly husband with childlike joy
and a womanly tenderness:
'Hullo, darling! I'm trying
to make little slam may have
been foolish to bid, but Nita jumped
me from two to five spades"
Let's have a look, sweetheart -
the retired judge suggested pom
pously, and Dundee gave way to
make room for him behind Karen's
chair.
But before the judge looked at
his wife'S hand. he bent and kissed
her on her flushed, fair cheek. and
Karen raised a hand to tweek his
gray mustache.