Evening star., 1936-09-03


Sloan Elledge had met In
- Waples Beach, though they
returned to the cottage separately.
He picked up a magazine that con-
tanned a novel-length crime mystery
and pulled the rocking chair close TO
the table lamp to discover If reading
would induce drowsiness. Sleep
seemed farther from his eyes with
every passing page.
There was the occasional sound OF
steps in the hall, doors closing. Short
" after midnight the front door
banged noisily. 1t indicated that Jere
was turning in for the night. After
that the house seemed enveloped IN
silence. Deeds removed his watch
from his wrist and laid 1t under the
lamps glow. He lighted cigarette
and leaned back in his chair, his
magazine discarded.
After his first meditative smoke, ne
must have dozed.
When he reused himself it was
with a sudden start and he sat mo-
tionless, listening. A glance at his
watch told him that it was almost 2
O'Clock. He had about Convinced HIM
self there had been no sound when
he heard the latch of his door click
softly.
Almost at once, it swung open and
Gene CASTOR stood looking at him.
Before Deeds could speak. his caller
closed the door and smiled apollo
getically. Sorry to bother you, old
man" he said in low voice. II saw
the light under your door as I came
along"
THAT'S all right. Sit down, won't
you?"
Deeds removed his feet from the
rooms second chair. He had noticed
by this time that CASTOR was fully
dressed and was wearing rubber
soled shoes. That was why he hadn't
heard his step. But it didn't explain
the electric flash he carried in his
hand.
II can't stop" Gene explained. do
you happen to know anything about
motors?"
I've tinkered around them some"
would you mind taking a look at
my car? I can't start it."
Going for drive?" Deeds was
forced to ask.
IT was. Wanted to get an early
start going quite ways. I'm
sort of up against it now"
why, sure :. just minute, until
put my shoes on"
Mind putting on your sneaks?"
Gene asked hesitatingly. I'm afraid
I've been making some racket out
at the garage . hate to disturb any,
body, you know. But I'd appreciate
1t if you could help me-"
That's all right. Glad to-"
Nothing more was said until they
had let themselves out through the
silent kitchen. Then Gene con-
tinued his low-voiced explanation
Had a deal I've been trying. to
close have to get up to Norfolk.
Just struck me I could save myself
some time by starting early like this
roads clear. The folks always
lock themselves in at night. so
showed note under Clairs door to
tell her where I had gone :"
He was swinging open the garage
door with his last words. As Deeds
entered. he heard the door closed
behind him.
'1 can tell you one thing that's the
matter" he declared, with an accom-
paniment of shifts. You've been
losing gas. Don't you smell it. Look
at that"
Gene had turned a switch, flooding
the garage with light. At the rear
Of the car the concrete floor showed
q suggestive stain.
Leak" Deeds decided.
"The tank was nearly full" Gene
said quietly. "And it doesn't leak.
The gas was siphoned out"
How do you know"
Had an extra can in the rumble
-. for emergency. I dumped it in
and the motor won't work. can't
see anything wrong with it, but I'm
no mechanic"
Give me your FASH" Deeds said
well take a look at it. Did you look
at the distributor head?" he asked
after cursory inspection.
Eyes, first thing. know that trick
about taking out that contact hicky
-. I've done it myself. It hasn't
been disturbed, but there's something