Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-08-14

He stood m0tl0nleSS on Cne polSH'
His heart was pounding and his brain
whirled like maelstrom.
What was the meaning of that sud-
den shudder, on this hot and humid
night?
What had caused the change that
had come over Judith and Bennington
during that second dance?
Who, for that matter, was Bennlng-
ton. The mining man he pretended
to be? Or the Naval Intelligence OIL
ficer he was rumored to be!
Hawley turned and hurried down
the steps and across the lawns to the
wardroom, the bachelor officers quar-
ters. He found old Doc Meyer stu
awake, playing his interminable game
of solitaire. Doc looked up as HaW-
lev came in. He grinned family.
"Home early aren't you, Phil!"
"Miss Whalen was tired. This heat
is hard on a person who isn't used 70
it," =,
He went to his room and shitteo
out of his mess jacket and into dark
suit of civilians. When he came PACK
TO the wardroom, Doc was engrosseo
in his solitaire.
"Doc, do you mind if use your car
for a while? 2" he asked.
go ahead. It's in the driveway.
Doc Meyer did not look up from ms
game. "Going back to the party
mo. I've had enough OF the
Strangers Club"
The doctor looked up with quick
ened interest. He was grinnng.
"Georgette 2" he asked.
Perhaps" .
Damn Doc! What did he know OF
Georgette? Somebody mas Deen
talking.
81 hear she's nice little girl" Doc
said.
"She Isl"
"Much too good for the Palais
Royale." !.
"That all depends on the point OF
view" Hawley said. "Wen, I'll be
showing off. Thanks for the car.
Good night, Doc"
The speedometer of Docs car drop
ped under sixty only once as Hawley
drove back to Colon. He had never
been in the Hotel Nacional and he had
some difficulty locating it. He finally
discovered it to be secondrate native
hostelry with an all-night lunch room
on one side of it and a cheap bar on
the other. The dimly lit lobby was
deserted.
He eyed the place thoughtfully. He
knew now that he had been foolish IN
not bringing a gun, for this was a
section of Colon in which almost any
thing might happen. He hadn't real
lied until then just how low Les Ken
nedy's fortunes had fallen.
He found Room 81, on the second
floor, and knocked. There was no
answer, although he could see a gllm-
mer of light around the door. He
tried the knob, found the door unlock
ed and went in. Kennedy lay sprawl
ed on his back on the bed.
Hawley closed the door and crossed
the room.
Lies! Les!" he cried. "Wake up,
Les!"
Kennedy did not move. On the
table beside the bed there wa hall
emptied bottle of whiskey and a glass.
Hawley swore under his breath and
took hold of Kennedy's shoulder and
shook him rudely.
Drunk himself to sleep, damn
him!" he muttered. "And after max
ing me promise to come back to town.
Les! Wake up!"
But Les did not wake up. He did
not stir. Hawley began to breathe
faster and he felt again that cold chill
sweeping up and down his spine. For
it had dawned upon his consciousness
that Les would never wake up. Les
was dead.
Less Kennedy, dead!
The shock of discovery was numb
ing. For long time Hawley stood
staring at the thin, long body in amaz-
ed disbelief. And yet he knew he could
not be mistaken. The bloodless fea-
lures, the half-opened eyes, the inert,
queer way in which he lay-all told
their story.
LIa.,lo,. 4l,o,,rb+ of what KaOnedV