Evening star., 1936-12-20
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tired out, and he was glad to tumble
into bed and switch out the lights.
We'll. did anyone give you any
trouble last night?" inquired DR..
Fechner at breakfast the next morning.
Richard smiled. No one. whateverw
I've been thinking about this trip
to Paris" said DR.. Fechner seriously.
I've got a better idea for you. My
yachts Lying off Dieppe. I need
a few days rest. so Ill be delighted
to put you ashore at Cornwall if you
care to come. 1t won't tale US many
miles off our course"
1T sounds good to mer' -
Right. That's settled. Your best
plan is to take the ordinary Channel
boat across to Dieppe this morning.
If the crooks follow you. give them the
slip over there"
Leave that to me-" Richard said.
Finishing his coffee. DR.. Fechner lit
a cigarette. Make your way to my
villa south of the town. rented it
for the summer months, and Ill give
you the directions presently. I'll join
you there in time for dinner; and in
case you've failed to shake off your
friends. we'll 60 on board the Irelands
before dawn. How does the arrange
ment strike you?"
1T strikes me that I'll never be out
of your debt" said Melville. and
shortly afterwards DIR. Fechner's Rolls
Royce dropped him at the Marquise
Hotel.
With the collar of his overcoat
turned up, to conceal the fact that
he was still in evening clothes, he
hurried to his suite and changed into
serviceable tweeds.
He packed bag with a few neces-
sites. He still had the small nickel
plated revolver he had taken from
Valerie Renard the night before and
slipped it into his overcoat pocket.
Then he went down to the reception
desk. where he settled his hotel bill
and told the clerk that he was leaving
at once for Paris by the Dieppe route.
The remainder of his baggage was to
bc-<etained until further instructions;
and three-quarters of an hour later
he was seated in a Pullman car on
the boat train. without having caught
a single glimpse of either Valerie
Renard or Eugene. 1t would be a
bitter jest, ne thought, if he had taken
these elaborate precautions for moth
ing. But he could hardly believe
that Cesare Cratz had thrown in his
hand; and after the Channel steamer
was under way. he left his bag in his
cabin and sauntered around the deck
to look over his fellow passengers.
II Eugene was on board, he was
keeping carefully out of sight but
Cesare had other men; possibly one of
these was playing the sleuth.
Walking slowly through the saloon
bar. Melville went down to his cabin.
He had left the door on the hook
half-an-hour before. but now it was
closed, and he pushed it open. Good
morning. Richardr'
Melville started back in astonish-
ment. Seated on the couch. calmly
smoking a cigarette, was Valerie
Renard. Her travelling coat was open.
and at her breast there glowed spray
of red carnations. Her lips were parted
in smile.
why don't you shut the door.
Richard" she bantered. Surely you
aren't going to throw me out, as you
threatened at dinner last night?"
Melville laughed quietly. my dear
Valerie, I've got some sense of humor.
l congratulate you - and your col
leagues"
She gave an ironic bow. so you
spent the night at DR.. Fechner's."
You haven't taken long to discover
his namer' exclaimed Melville.