Evening star., 1935-11-24
Magazine Section

use little common sense, was the Dlunt
Iply. We'll take it for granted, especially if
this fellow Regnier is mixed up in it, that this
y may be criminal attempt to abduct Miss
Rookie. There's one thing very certain,
though. II that is the situation, you have been
asked, absolutely invited, to follow Miss
Rookie to Monte Carlo. Your friend having
seen her there - that part of it is helpful On
the other hand, if you do the obvious thing
and 60 after her. the chances are that she
won't be there. Shell be where you least
expect to find her.
Where do you mean?" Colin demanded
Seymour glanced at his watch We'll dis
cuSs that over lunch"
"You say you have already wired Miss
Rookie for an explanation of this change in her
plans" Seymour said half an hour later. Il
should wait till you get a reply before you
start out to follow her."
But she may not get the telegram" Colin
protested.
Give her time to reply before you act"
Seymour bade bluntly. II don't mind telling
you Rookie, that the first move, after all, is
ours. While you we're waiting for the taxi to
bring us here, slipped down to our Overseas
Department, and l ordered our telephone
operator to put call through to Howes, one
of our agents in Paris. He poses as cor
respondent to London daily, but he's done
lot of fire work for us. instructed him first
to call on Lady Kennard and ascertain what
her movements have been for the last few
weeks. then to hire plane and get to Cannes
tonight motor over to Monte Carlo and re-
port as to the doings of Miss Ann Rookie.
That is little quicker than anyone who is up
to mischief would expect to be disturbed"
Colin smiled for the first time THAT
was damned good idea." he said. II know
Howes. although didn't know he worked for
, you. He's clever fellow"
Hes quick worker anyhow" Seymour
continued. The message will catch him be-
fore he goes out. We have our fixed hours for
telephone conversations, and shouldn't be
surprised if he was already on his way to lie
Bourget. If you take my advice, you will stay
here and await Howes report"
I'm do it," Colin promised disconsolately.
At about five o'clock that afternoon uni
formed inspector brought Colin Rookie an
official note from Scotland Yard. He broke
open the seal and read:
Sorry Colin - things aren't going quite
our way. Howes' Car was run into by loTy
on his way to lie Bourget. Howes is in the
hospital and will be off the map for week.
Stay where you are till you see me. have
conference with the Chief in half an hour"
That period of waiting was not one of the
pleasantest in Collins young life.
The curtain of the opera house in Monte
Carlo had fallen upon the first act of a we'll
known popular opera. Hand in hand the
artistes had made their bows. The applause
died away; the lights glowed with an increased
radiance; there was rustic of programs, the
mmmm of voices. The exodus to the forum
outside began.
Ann Rookie was seated in the front row of
the last amphitheatre of stalls, little raised
above the others. BY her side throughout the
act had been the only vacant seat in the place.
Ann was looking her best, although there was
an air of detachment about her, which showed
that she was living in world where such
matters as successful toilette are of no great
importance. Any psychologist who studied
her that evening would probably have
decided that it was not the very beauti-
fully rendered music but the empty seat by
her side which was responsible for her aloof-
ness. She had the air of woman who was suf-