The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-26

Linda glanced again at tho clock. 1
 After half-paBt 10--how the time sped byi Tom was still to be con- vinced and Q me plan to be agreed upon to hold the house party to- gother.
 we must think of some way of keeping them here" she went on, without. giving everything away. Tell them--well, I thought perhaps I could appeal to them. l could say-and it's true, Tom that this was partly a business conference and therefore 1t would hurt you at the office is you didn't put 1t through. That would apply to Mir Statlander and Mir DeVos. You do have to talk to them, don't you? I could appeal t0 Marvin if I could get him aione-"
 Her husbands face hardened but Linda hurried ahead; "rd ask him as an old friend to stand by me because you had to be oc- cupied a good deal with business. As for Mir shaughnessey = well, he's a sponge, anyhow. A grace full. charming sponge. but the sort that's all for himself and probably has planned to spend week or SO III OuE BaIAW0 4b VaA CARgAtDDe He won't need to be coaxed."
 That sounds plausible" Tom considered 1t while she anxiously studied his face. Would he agree? No, he wouldn't--yes, he might mol But Binks, 1t just wouldn't work. Put yourself in their places "a death in the family"
 But Tom, we can tell them we hardly knew Cousin Amos"
 Even so.
 "And all the festivities planned for the Fourth of July week-endi Perhaps we can't go to dinners and bridge parties. but they could"
 "But if they did stay. Binks. what could we possibly dol"
 She breathed more easily. At least he was taking her seriously considering this desperate sug- gestion.
 and notice how they answer, as well as what they say. They'll talk about the accident perfectly naturally with us. We can ask leading questions without seeming to and then meet and anaiyze what we've found out and go back and talk with them more. Oh, Tom, don't you see It's the only way? The one who did 1t is sure to give himself away by some per- needs time-and so they simply musn't go, they mustn't"
 He sat thoughtfully long mo-, ment and then Linda dared press her advantage.
 What else could we do. Tom?
 He nodded slowly.
 1T see that, all right. It's a crazy stunt-but it's that or noth-
 She cut in eagerly. "Then let's go right away, Tom, and find them. I'm ready She stood
 "Now wait. Binks. Don't be in too much of hurry"
 Although she knew of old that his common sense decisions were slower but also more thorough than her quicker impulses, his cau- tion infuriated her, so highly was she keyed for action.
 "Tom! It's II o'clock In an hour-'
 'In an hour they'll be gone for good, especially If we IumDle U. l want to think how to go about this. First we must persuade them to stay. then get together for our first conference and decide on the story of what happened to yUu--"
 ''That's easy," she interrupted, CT faintad-o sss-
 'sNot so easy as that. Remem- Der, one of them knows"
 Yes" Their eyes met.
 "Binks," said Tom quietly, T shouldn't consider this for one moment"
 "But you've agreed to it."
 ''Yes. But I'm going to make one condition"
 Whats that?"
 "The agreement is dissolved at any moment if I think I'm justi- fled. Think, dearest" as she be- gan to protest. you haven't real ly taken in yet what 1t means. It means" Gas he spoke his words seemed to reach her through some shell that had not been pene- trated before) it means that here, right in our house, there is a killer - man without mercy and, possibly, insane. A homici-
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