Evening star., 1934-12-18
CHAPTER XIX.
GID WILLIAM AVON


XCo oRRY to have been so long"
said Jerry. II dent know
why, but I was a bit sleepy
- this morning"
IF you will insist on
dragging us to expensive night clubs
and dancing till 2 O'clock" be-
gan.
"Was 1t as late as that?", He
dropped into an easy chair and ran
his fingers through Georges silky
coat. STILL we didn't have bad
time, did we? I think Molly enjoyed
herself all right"
I'm sure she did" said. "A sim
pie nature like hers :,
Simple nature be blowed! ! tell
YOU, Nick, that girls wonder. Shes
not only pretty, but she's got brains
and nerve, too"
According to the best scientific
authorities" I observed, most young
women have"
Look at the way she bluffed those
two thugs In your studio" he went on
with growing enthusiasm. Mastery
bit of work call it And the jolliest
thing about her is that she's so easy to
talk to. We got along together like a
house on fire"
what were you discussing?" I in
quired.
"You, chiefly"
"It's a fascinating topic" I ad-
mitted.
She's worried about you, Nick. Got
1t into her head that she's no right to
lead you into any more trouble"
"Oh, that's bunkum," I objected.
what want to find out is who killed
Osborne. Until I do. every fool in
England will go on believing that I'm
q murderer
That's what I pointed out to her.
I explained that we were both acting
from entirely selfish motives. You
wished to clear your name and I was
thirsting to try my hand as a sleuth'
If we were able to help her at the
same time so much the better"
well done, Jerry" said, I'D no
idea you were such diplomat"
"I've always been underrated by my
friends" He glanced across at the
clock. when is this appointment OF
yours with Avon?"
"One-fifteen. I replied.
That will give us time for walk
first, George wants some exercise SO
I'll come along with you as far as
Hyde Park Corner"
What are you doing afterward?" ]
inquired.
II thought I'd lunch with Molly at
the Milan and wait for you there.
When you're through you can come
along and tell us the result. I'm
yearning to know what he wants to
see you about"
1T ought to be interesting" I
agreed. by the way, I rang up old
Cresswell just now, and he suggests
that I should go to dinner with him
tomorrow night"
"You didn't mention anything"
mot a word. Until I've seen Avon
I think we'd better keep the whole
thing to ourselves"
That's my opinion" He got up
and, with a joyful bark. George bound
ed toward the door. Just you and I
and Molly for the present: OF course,
] don't count Dawson"
Does Dawson know" I inquired.
Jerry yawned Il expect so. It's
no use trying to keep things from
Dawson. I gave it up long ago"
The world seemed to me a very
agreeable place, as, with George pad
ding sedately at our heels, we emerged
through the Admiralty Arch into the
ordered peace of the Mall.
Buckingham Palace loomed up
ahead of us in all its reassuring ugli-
ness. Jerry. who was telling me about
his late trip, rambled on cheerfully
from one experience toeanother, while
a stream of smooth-running cars, with
their well-dressed occupants lolling
back against the cushions, added to
the general atmosphere of comfortable
security.
When we arrived at the gate oppo-
site St. Georges Hospital, Jerry came
to a halt.
81 think I'll turn round and toddle
back now" he observed IF I take
George along Piccadilly he will stop
and look at the shop windows"
well, you can expect me some time
about three" replied. II should think
ought to be through with Avon by
then
Don't rush it. There's no hurry as
far as we're concerned. If it's any,
thing to do with Osborne get as much
out of him as you can" He whistled
to George who was eyeing a large