The Washington times., 1933-08-26
By Joan
Clayton


slouched in from the squad
room in the rear. Patricia
hesitated in half panic; then
from their casual, uncurious
glances, knew that she was
safe.
MCGEE Pursuit
Clark was already telling his
story. Bill McGee-yes, they
knew Bill MCGEE by reputa-
tion-had murdered Julian
Haverholt, the bridge expert.
1t could be proved. And Bill
MCGEE was now cruising up
the East River, possibly pointed
out toward the sound, possibly
lolling in the lee Of one of the
city islands.
The lieutenant tapped his
pencil on his teeth. There had
been no alarm sent out for
MCGEE, he ventured. So far
as he knew, MCGEE wasn't
wanted. And finding a boat
on the river on night like
this was no picnic. He re-
garded the two at the desk
skeptically-a pale and I'M
kempt girl, a young man la
boring under patiently con-
cealed excitement.
I'm not questioning your
story" he said doubtfully. 1T
may be true. But I think that
you better take the matter UP
with headquarters in the morn
ing"
Tomorrow will be too late.'
II wouldn't want to act with
out orders from headquarters"
Get them on the telephone"
said Clark. "Get the commits
sioner. I'm Clark Tracy. He
knows me. I'll talk to him."
The blue-coated telephone
operator got headquarters on
the wire. Commissioner Young
was home in bed. It was about
the Haverholt case? Just a
minute. Would Inspector Fer
guson do? No? Just a min
ute. Eventually Clark heard
the commissioners voice.
Even as the night visitor
talked, the lieutenant knew
what his orders would be.
When Clark had finished. half
a dozen men in Slickers were
ready and the police launch
was humming at the pier. The
commissioner, disbelieving at
first, had been convinced. The
word of a member of the mil
lionaire Tracy family carried
weight. And, strangely, he had
been finally won when Clark
blurted out the news that he
had with him the hunted
Patricia Warren.
"I'll parole her in your Gus
tody," the Commissioner had
said. "I'll hold you responsible
for her and if this turns out to
be wild goose chase it is part
of the bargain that you must
bring her to Headquarters your
self"
"A bargain" said Clark.
The police launch was a slim,
rakish craft. Patricia, concealed
now in a slicker three sizes too
large, trembled with chill and
excitement as they swept away
from the dock, turned sharply
in the rising waves. and swung
up the river with steadily in
creasing speed. Clark was be-
side her.
On Parole
"We'1l never find McGee,"
said the Sergeant in command,
as he approached the two who
stood beside the rail, "but we'll
start out from the wharf where
he was anchored and sweep up
the river as best we can"
Patricia spoke with the as
surance of prophecy.
"We'll find him." she said.
Already the Searchlights were
swinging in bright and mon,
strous circles. Their bow cut
like a knife through the black
ness of the water. Spray leaped
over the side in great gusts, the
keen wind whipped and tore.
It was cold and wet and dan
gerous. Now and again a vicious
ly approaching breaker swept
the craft at an angle and they
rolled and pitched but never
modified their speed. The lights
hunted out the shore and low
lying wharves and cast bright
eye over the vessels which lay
at anchor.
MCGEE will be running with
out lights" said the sergeant.
Ten minutes passed, fifteen
minutes, a half hour. Patricia
had begun to despair. She
stayed close to Clark, but he
seemed almost unaware of her
presence, his eyes following each
fresh exploration Of the cold,
white lights. A rain was COM
ing on and the preliminary
drops scattered diamond-like
through the moving glare. The
river widened. The Sound was
just ahead.
(TO Be Continued