The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-24

ullli4tA. just ran QOWn JO-tO get
my mail"
Instantly she was sorry for that
f1b for she was sure De Iona had
seen her at the safe and was per-
fectly aware what her errand had
been. Instinctively she clutched
the handbag under her arm more
tightly.
Even a less interested and astute
person than The Fly would have
caught the gesture and been
promptly informed that the bag
held valuables. Mary realized this
even as her taut nerves betrayed
her into the give-away gestures she
regretted.
The car stopped at her door.
I'll see you tonight?" she said
and moved to leaves the car.
In pressing his invitation, De Lo-
ma had stepped between her and
the door. He was facing her, his
hat in his hands.
AS if just aware that he was
blocking her way, he murmured,
"Oh, pardon mel" and backed off
the car. Mary stepped off, after
him. 1t was the only thing she
could do, although she realized with
horror, even as she did so, that she
was about to be left alone with the
man there in the hall.
THE elevator operator was about
Il to close the door when De
Iona lifted his hat to the girl and
stepped on the car again.
Tonight" he said CALAMITY, and
his bow was cut short as the door
slammed and the car shot upward.
1t was only then that Mary.
slightly dazed by the swiftness of
what had happened, looked about
and saw Bates. He was stand
ing at one side, apparently waiting
for descending elevator.
Hands in his trousers pockets. a
key ring jingling, a low whistle
coming from his lips, he was appar-
emily the most casual figure pos
sible
oh" Mary cried. "Oh!" She
clasped the detective shamelessly
about the neck and kissed him a
resounding smack on either dusty
cheek. MY hero! How did you
happen to be there-you saved me
Tin sure be meant to get off, but
when he saw you, he Didn't"
Just waiting for an elevator,
believe it or not" Bates replied.
But why--what's he following you
for?"
Mary told him in whisper.
Not that whispering now would do
the least good.
Bates looked grave. you'd bet
ter stick pretty close to home base "
he warned. Didn't know you were
getting that out yet. I'm getting
the boys organized now. Was Just
going out to the yacht to see Hen
bricks"
He stopped and chewed his lin
thoughtfully. But if you've got
that here, I'd better stick around. 3"
THEY moved down the hall.
4 talking in undertones.
I'm sorry!" Mary apologized.
But I thought he was safe in his
room. And I had some other things
to lock up and it seemed like as
good a time as any"
"'S all right" Bates muttered
back ''You were o. K. But you
see I was right. He's on the prowl."
"Oh, maybe it just happened.
Maybe I just imagine" Mary be-
gan.
''Tut, tut, sister! Believe me when
I say he probably knows as much
about your affairs as you do, right
now"
Now" Bates continued briskly,
"I'H put you in your room and then
I'll go summon the boys. We can
have our little conference here as
well as anywhere else-if we're
careful about it."
The detective entered her room
first and looked about. He raised
the window, lay across its sill on
his back for some minutes and
studied the surrounding windows.
There was a fire-escape which
Jagged downward some distance
away-from which it would be pos
sible for man to swing to the
small decorative iron balcony which
enclosed the lower half of her win
dow.
Bates pulled his head in, flushed
with his efforts, and brushed off his
hands.
We'll, I think you're safe enough
from that direction" he said, and
inspected the bathroom which had
no other door. Nov, lock your
door when I go out and if you see