The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-30
CHAPTER FORTY-oNE

ct OOK in your pocket-it must
l. have fallen out!" Mary ap-
pealed to De Iona.
Had he had time to extract the
necklace and hide it somewhere,
before the policeman saw him? She
held her breath. What must have
fallen out?"
"Why-the necklace?"
His eyebrows went up. But you
told me Mr.. Bates had i'll"
Mary colored, but her eyes never
left his face. The detective moved
closer.
Come on" he said, roughly,
fork up, if you've got it,"
Smiling enormously, De Iona
drew his hand out of his pocket and
handed her-the ruby necklace. AL
most dizzy with relief, she dropped
it into her handbag again.
The gaping bellboy and the waiter
she paid off, and they moved away
Observation-Disclosures watchers of
the scene.
"Sayp snapped the hotel detec-
time, I've got a good mind to-"
De Iona moved away from his
grasp fastidiously. He held up his
hand. The conSummate insolence
of the man was astounding.
1T was only a joke" he insisted.
"She is too careless with her jewels
4 told her so. I merely wished to
brighten her bit, officer, that's all!''
His patient ingratiating air as he
made this preposterous explanation
Of his actions was very nearly con-
vincing
The detective looked uncertainty
at Mary. Say is this guy on the
level or not? If you say so, I'll
scare him a little bit"
Its perfectly true what he says,
Mary assured him hurriedly and a
trifle haughtily. This man is Count
De Loma-he is my scort and it's
all quite true. Now, if you please,
we must hurry" Her anxious
eyes sought the cab.
XXTHO'LL help you down at the
w pier with that man?" the de-
tective called after her, obviously.
Il can manage-with little
help" the taxi-driver offered.
"Ill look after this man." De
Iona said loftily, climbing into the
cab after her.
Stupid aSses!" He continued to
curse the police force in all its
branches, with heartfelt fervor for
several blocks.
Dirk was stirring now 8, he
looked about the dim interior of the
cab with dazed expression, felt of
the back of his head, which had
struck the floor soundly when he
tainted.
With amazement he recognized
Mary, who returned his look with
pleading in her eyes.
Where are you taking me?" he
demanded, looking out the window
suspiciously
ITO a doctor. Please don't taIk!''
She laid pleading hand on his.
He jerked his hand away.
What is this?" he blazed at her
kidnapping? Take me back to the
hotel at once AS for you you
dirty snake" He glared at De
Iona, who lifted supercilious eve
brows and continued to gaze
straight ahead.
But the sudden movement had
silenced Dirk; pain in the twisted
ankle made him lean back and
draw his breath hissingly in an ef-
fort to avoid crying out.
The cab stopped at the pier, and
Mary peered out uncertainty into
the dark. A new danger presented
itself-this deserted spot, crippled
man on her hands, and no one but
this unSuspecting cab driver for a
protector.
Out of the shadows a large
~ young man in sailor uniform
appeared and touched his cap.
You for the Gypsy? I'm tc
take you aboard"
Mary recognized a member of the
deck crew, and breathed a sigh Of
relief. The massive young man
lifted Dirk as if he had been a baby
s ANSWER 9 Sinned.
y = zTss.=s--TT,=.s77;--T.===-=1 T1 .S a