The Washington times., 1931-09-12
CHAPTER XVII


hathrobe over his pyjarlas, his
feet bare. He took in the sur
face situation at a glance. Fan
chon, pale, ice cold with de-
termination, the revolver in her
steady hand. Mrs. CarStairs
sitting upright in Jed, the
clothes tossed about her, her
her lips set, her eyes bright
with outrage; "Gilli" their late
guest, still in the romantic cos
tune, an overcoat pa:Cly con-
cealing it, standing against the
dresser, his hands he'd high.
his lips curved to a sneer;; and
on the dresser, the open jewel
case.
"Give me the gun, Evelyn"
said Collin, quietly, "and tele-
phone for the police"
There was no telephone ex-
tension in Jennie's bedroom.
That much privacy she de-
manded. She had been regret
ting it for the last lew min-
utes.
"Evelyn?" asked Tony, speak
ing for the first time. He
laughed. STAND still, Fan
chon," he ordered SHARPLY, "and
make your explanations and
then we'll see if Mrs. CarStairs
win be so anxious to brinG the
police into this"
what do you mean!" asked
Jennie, as Collins face dark
ened with angry blood, "by
speaking to my niece N such a
fashion?"
"She is not your niece" Tony
said coolly. "She planred this
COUP with me. But it didn't
quite come off," His eyes went
to Fanchon in an unmlstakable
expression of menace, mixed
with a certain sardonic triumph,
"she feared, possibly, to ex'
change the easy flesh Ncts for
the uncertain existence of-a
gangster's GIRL" said Tony.
"What the hell is this all
about?" demanded Collin
An Absurd Situation
Fanchon spoke then. She
spoke with extreme quiet. She
said
This situation is absurd. We
aren't getting anywhere. Col
lin, take-take Tony into the u
brary. Keep him covered. Tie
him up, If necessary. And then,
III tell you the truth. After
that you can decide what to do
with him-and with me-"
what truth?" asked Mrs.
Carstairs quietly. She spoke,
reaching for her robe and Slip
pers. Her face had aged ter.
ribly but her voice was low and
her expression had not changed.
Fanchon's heart went out to her
on a wave of sorrowful love and
admiration. But she dared not
look at Collin again as she an
Gwered.
"The truth about myself. He
IS quite right. I am not your
niece. I am not Evelyn Howard.
I am Fanchon Meredith"
"Not-Evelyn?" gasped Collin.
Had she looked at him then she
would have seen that a flash OF
most incredulous joy swept over
his face, blotting out the amaze
ment. Then the amazement re-
turned. He darted a look at
Tony who, hands still high,
leaned against the dresser.
Tony smiled evilly. Nothing
was apparent in Collins face
now but sheer male anger.
I'm getting rather tired OF
this position. said Tony blandly.
She Finds q Pistol
wait a moment" Fanchon
stepped forward. She put her
hands on Tony. She loathed
touching him-tOnight. But she
felt in his overcoat pocket, took
out a wicked-looking gun and
kept it in her hand.
Nov" she said to Collin,
stake him in the library"
Tony went first, prodded by
Collins revolver in his ribs. Fan
chon followed closely, turning
on the lights as she went. In
the big book lined room, Collin
Indicated a straight chair. He
said, briefly, looking at Fan
chon::
"Strong cord in the desk
drawer. Get it for me, will
you? And call Jameson"
mo-" she said, better not.
If you'd do what is necessary,
I'N-I1l keep him covered. I
promise" she said bitterly as
she saw the look of mingled
diStruSt and question in Collins
eyes.
BY the time Jennie joined
them, it had been done. Tony
sat, as easily as possible, on
the straight backed chair, his
hands and arms tied behind
him, his legs laShed to the
rungS. Collin sat in an easy
chair opposite, the gun steady.
Fanchon, in her plain.tweed
frock, stood against the desk.
Who Is She?
Jennie came in, and sat down
by Collin. He gave her a re-
assuring glance.
'If you are not Evely How
ard" asked Jennie, evenly, of
Fanchon, where is she?"
II thought" said Fanchon, as
evenly, that she was dead. In
the accident. But he"-she in
dicated Tony-"Says she is not.
That she is with him. Men
tally, a child"
my God!" exclaime Colin,