The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-04
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ness. He would want money, great deal of it. The Kokinor dia- mond. My knowledge of his char acter, then, was his undoing. The Kokinor had to be in the life belt. With the ship on the reef there was no other place where 1t would be safe in Ttno's hands"
 Dirk waggled a finger at Jane Young lady, you know too much about people. Suppose you start on me, and tell me what I'm think ing of right now. But still in- sist you couldn't have known. Even human nature changes. If you were with Tino at the time Man nie was murdered"
 Jane flushed. Sorry. My vanity gave him that alibi," she said. T didn't recall it until the detec- tive's steady questioning made me go over the night of the crime, minute by minute, telling every thing did. There was time when Tino could have got the jewel, and killed Mamie. When we left the deck I stopped by my state room to powder my nose. Natural ly Tino stayed outside. It was only minute or two"
 And in woman's mind, that means at least ten, long enough for Tino to have entered Nora Lanes suite, shot Mamie Jackson, who was probably there looking for blackmail evidence, obtained the diamond, and rushed back to mur- mur pretty things to you. Young lady, your vanity shouldn't last so long! You're too human yourself"
 "Tino was clever" she added. "He used me for the perfect alibi Nobody would have suspected Tino! He was making love to me all even- ing on deck. If he hadn't been panic in the storm, we might never have suspected him o1 a thing. And he left no clues al any time. But you can't hide from yourself, especially when panic grips you in a storm"
 And you can't hide from you self" Dirk hastened to add, "ir love. One always knows. At least I do. I don't harbor any illusions any longer. I'm in love with you Just you"
 For you," she advised, avoiding his intent gaze, "it was just g cruise to nowhere. I'm sorry. Yol didn't spend moment on those romantic islands in the southern seas."
 Dirk scoffed. "It was hardly g cruise to nowhere! For me it hal been a trip to the sun and tht moon and the stars. But now feel safer - I'm back on earth witt you. But surely you don't wan to marry a man who is going tt run a sawmill? There's nothing romantic and glamorous about g lumber town"
 Jane said, We can't hide iron our love by harboring precious il- lusions any longer. We both looked way out yonder for romance, but here it is-in our hearts. You just ask me to marry you, and see what I'll say"
 He moved to kiss her, but as he tok her hands 8 dry, waspist voice interrupted him. It was Madame Doremus hobbling on the deck with her cane. "Shipboard romance" she said. Co ahead! Go ahead!" she insisted, waggling her cane at them. I'm an old woman, but I can stand anything now. Where is that bald-headed detective - Snowshoes?" She cack- led, drily. He promised to teach me how to ski at Lake Placid. I'll probably take one jump, and break my fool neck, but I'll try anything now for excitement. It's good for my weak heart!" With a gesture of defiance she threw her cane overheard, and walked down the deck.
 "Yes!" Jane repeated, almost in- sistently, to Dirk's question he hac never asked. "YeS!"
 Then he kissed her.
 | THE END