The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-22

SSS0eSSS~
be wise, wilbur, under the cir
cumStances."
What do you mean?"
well. -" her voice Jagged,
"you were here last night. and
Just now when" suddenly she
became more natural. "Oh! Will
bur, isn't it awful? can hardly
believe it."
Don't talk any more on the
phone" he warned, "I'll be right
over. I think it is best, Betty
for both our Sakes."
All right. Hurry though. I
have to have a bite of lunch and
rush right out again."
with you in jiffy!" he prom
iSed, and hung up.
AS he went up in the elevator
in Betty'S apartment house, with
the suddenly important Robert E.
Lee Jackson, he was conscious Of
that strange pail, almost a pal
pable scent to the noStrilS, that
permeateS a house of death.
"Suah am turrible, amt 1t,
suh?" volunteered Lee, rolling his
eyes at Renton.
Eyes" Renton started to an
swer, then caught himself. what
are you talking about, boy?" he
snapped.
Bout de murder las night. "
Lee said blandly. You all knows
erbout it. Mr.. Renton, suh?"
Renton felt his skin pale.
What do you mean?" he
snarled. why should I know
about the murder" he caught
h self, any murder" he
amended.
Shattered Alibi
why, subj" Robert E. Lee
looked at him in wide-eyed limo
cence. you all was in de house
when it happened. Don't you re-
member, sub? You all must have
walked down de stairs when 1 was
busy with de police officers" Lee
was very important now. land me
and one of de cops done seed you
go out de front door after COM
ing down from Miss Betty'S apart
ment."
He brought the elevator to a
perfect stop.
"Heah We are, Mr.. Renton, sub.
Miss Betty's floor. subj" he an
nounced unctuouSly.
Damn that dinge!" muttered
Renton to himself as he rang
Betty'S bell.
He found himself glad of old
Suky's welcoming black smile;
somehow it treasured him. Just as
he entered the living-room he
glanced back at her and a queer
shock went through him at the
change that had come over her
face. for now the ebony features
were malevolent, and she had her
hand raised in a strangely odd
gesture that in some way seemed
to bear a hidden menace.
Quickly. he entered the other
room and greeted Betty with a
feeling of relief which he knew to
be exaggerated. but which he
could not control.
Betty" he exclaimed, my dear
you look tired, and pale. I know
how dreadful this must be for you
and tn think that your paper
should send you out to cover this
case It's too horrible. Betty
you can't stand it. Why don't you
chuck the whole thing? You can't
do it, Betty-you can't"
Betty turned to him, stead, =
eyed, firm-lipped, calm-voiced.
"Why not, Wilbur" she asked
mildly. latter all I am a news
paper woman. and" her sweet
lips curled, 1.-The story'S the thing
you know. Never mind whose
heart may break-get the story"
But Betty" he protested, "you
can't be mixed up in this-you
can't"
"And why not?" she countered,
still in that strangely gentle man"
ner.
Because of Lawrence Vane,
Betty" he saw her vince, "and
because of you. and" his voice
dropped, because. of me-"
"I'm afraid you're toe late, Will
bur-" she said. II am mixed up in
tin more ways than you know"
She saw him start and pale.
I'm in it professionally" she
continued, I'm in it because OF
you, and because Of me, and be-
cause of-lawrence Vane."
What do you mean, Betty?"