The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-12

SIlu, UuI UEE DMS AnbtfGBl W0S tO Bet Ginger back uninjured.
 These preliminaries attended to, Marker said he would like to hurry out to the scene of operations and they got at once into the car. On the way. however, he asked her to stop at the telegraph office, where they were obliged to wait for 90 minutes while he wrote and dis patched a dozen or more 'telegrams.
 The group at Mill Rush was im- patiently awaiting their arrival, and with them the three Italians, timid, i'll at ease, humiliated by the obvious suspicious against them, but nervously anxious for human companionship.
 Marker spoke to each of them and had a brief recital of the days events as concerned each one, when last he had. seen Ginger, what he had been occupied with at the time of her disappearance. how the in- tervening hours had been spent. In the 10 accounts there was not one word of dissent or disagreement.
 Well" he said briskly, why don't you all go to bed now? Holt and I will have "a quiet look around by ourselves, and you will need some rest. There's nothing to be done tonight. But we'll keep watch and if anything turns Up we'll call you. And if you hear any noises, don't be scared. We'll just do a little private exploring"
 Certainly they had slight inclina- tion for sleep, but as Phil joined her advice to the detectives, they paired off reluctantly to separate rooms, Patty and Cotton sharing one together.
 Almost before the break of day. Marker called Eddy Jackson and asked him to drive in to town and bring out the answers to his tele- grams, and a few minutes later. dis turbed by the confusion of voices and the starting of the motor, the entire group reassembled down. stairs, peering out into the misty gray morning, wandering where Ginger had lain her head that night.
 Pietro hastened to serve them with strong hot coffee and light rolls, Angelo assisting, while Benito. evidently wounded to the heart, brooded alone and would neither eat nor drink.
 When Eddy came back with the sheaf of telegrams Marker went off by himself to look them over. There was an air of satisfaction about him when he rejoined them at the table.
 Finish your coffee," he said ''but stick around. I've got a lot of questions to get off my chest and I'll want all of you. You, too,' he turned to the Italians with a sud- denness that sent a cup spinning from the nervous hand of little An gelo. ''I want all of you.'' Hurriedly they finished their cof- fee, feeling that something gravely portentous lay just ahead for the detectives manner indicated pur- pose.
 "Just sit down." said Marker Don't get uneasy. We've got a long rigmarole to go through, and it'll take time. All right, you first, J he said briskly. turning to Speed What do you say your name is?' "Roney," said Speed promptly Lane Roney. They call me Speed
 You say you know him?" He turned to Mir Tolliver. Yes. He was out here severa years ago."
 "Why, 1f course" chorused hal. a dozen voices. We've known hin for years. Of course it's Speed.' |. He turned with great suddennes. upon Cotton.
 You're his sister," .Why-yes."
 What's your name?"
 Cotton = Roney." Cotton was pale but composed.
 Why did you hesitate between the words?"
 Did I-hesitate
 Speed sprung to his feet.
 "Sit down." ordered the detec- tive. ''Stay away from her. Are you his sister?"
 "Why-yes." she whispered.
 Do you know her. too?" asked Marker curtly of MT Tolliver.
 Phil crossed quickly and stood beside Cotton. She took her hand kindly within her own. We have not known Cotton long," she said gently. "She came here last week with her brother, and has been our guest since then. We like her very much indeed, and trust her i'm plicity."
 "Well, l wouldn't trust her too far" smiled the detective. You really are his sister," he repeated incisively.
 Yves. Mo-" she said sudden ly. I'm not his sister," She cov- cred her white face with one hand "Let me tell the truth, Speed. I'm not his sister,"
 The detective laughed. "So l heard. No. Mrs TolIiver, she is not the young mans sister. The young mans sister is at home in Massachusetts. This woman is an imposter."