Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
II Fortune in
./e7VeL Is Stolen
and a Reputation
Is at Stake-An
Unusual Story by
One of America s
Leading Writers
Of Fiction.

Ut WAS in the morning Maud Stoat
who should have been happy in the
luxury she had always craved wasn't
happy at all In decorative little bed
with roses at the headboard she sat up
a pink neglige gathered across her shoulders.
Hers the attitude of one about to leap;
her brown eyes were round with fright her
ears straining for trill at the telephone
Would Hector be away again until dawn, as
he had been these past 10 nightsP Away in
his faultless evening attire like gay bachelor,
making the most of the small hours? Then
she remembered she mustn't be selfish. Detec-
uves can't lead normal lives They're more
like physicians, of somewhere doing their
duty while other people sleep.
And look at the fine apartment his success
had brought them. The rent was something
dreadful but, when Mr. Cheever had put Hec-
tor at the head of the society department of
his detective bureau, he had insisted that thu
Stoats should have q fashionable address. It
was jHst another case of keeping up with your
position But suppose they couldn't keep up.
Nervously Maud sprang She thought she
heard some one moving about the place. Cau-
Gously she peeped into Buds nursery. In the
servants quarters the contented purring OF
sleep greeted her ears. She turned on the
lights IN the drawing room and even in her
moFbid state the charm of wine colored cur
tainS matching the deep-piled rug lulled her
with dreams of wealth.
It's great to be rich she concluded. But no
money in the world could repay her for the
loss of Hector-or Of Bud. Then new fear
gripped her. Was Hector making the grade?
Could he hold his grip on the ladder?
CHE was back in her bed room, about de-
cided to try again to sleep when the front
door slammed, and Hector's tread came down
the hall. He looked tired to death His hand
some high collar was wilted, one of his pearl
studs had worked loose.
''oh. I'm so glad!' She twined her arms
around his neck. The cheek she pressed felt
feverish
Gosh. it's good to be home" In the voice
OF soldier returned from war. Even in her
agitation she let a hand fall to his hip pocket;
the same hard, dangerous lump.
"Iiec, why do you have to carry gun all the
time?"
He locked crestfallen "It's pretty danger
Gus game" he admitted, then laid blue-nosed
automatic on the bureau
TITS dangerous to carry a gun" she insisted
THE papers say that people wouldn't get into
trouble If they didn't carry guns" This made
no impression. He sank heavily into chair.
This has been an EVENING"" he moaned
Hector" She was severe. II unloaded that
gun before you took it out"
you did?" He seemed too tired to argue but
asked hstlessly what for?"
Because was afraid you'd shoot yourself or
somebody"
Don't do that again." Sternly DO YOU
want to have me shot down like dog?"
us 1t bad as that?" To this he made no re-
ply, but ripped off his collar and tossed it away.
IT don't think can last indefinitely" he said
I'll bet I've danced hundred miles tonight"
who with?" The imp of jealou5y switched
its tail
mrs. Grantburg Rowland" he said YEARLY
'She used to be a professional in a night club
She is now, il anybody should ask you" Then
because Maud was very still, Listen, Doll I've
got to do the work that's handed me- haven't
j? can't WEIGH on a job"
mo, darling. You're not gutter"
He softened into candor. Listen, Doll This
Grantburg Rowland and his wife: You know
who they are. He's the awfuly rich Rowland
and last year he took a notion to marry GLADYS
Wye, one Of the night club cards. People cut
them socially, so they spend most of their time
in the late places"
els she pretty?" asked Maud
beautiful and dumb"
-Then why do you dance with her hundred
miles?"
Hector leaned haggardly back in his chair
doll, it's dangerous case Rowland has
fairly smothered her in jewels; she has one Of
the finest collections Of diamonds In America
She hurts the eyes, she shines So Rowland
came to our bureau a couple Of weeks ago and
offered whopping price for detective. And
what for? To canoe with his wifeI And the
man had to carry gun"