The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-05
CHAPTER xxIv

CHAPTER XXlV
 payson brought Julia back to the apartment, then telephoned Smith i Garland that she would not appear
 was he angry2" Julia asked when Payson had finished.
 Not Smith Garland. He said he'd get a lot of pleasure out o1 telling them they wouldn't sec Nadine White tonight"
 Julia smiled. He's peach Tom"
 Payson took up his hat. His eyes were troubled. sJulia- you're not falling for Smith, are you?"
 I'm not falling for anybody Julia told him.
 But when Payson had left the apartment Amy guessed different 1y. "Payson was miles of, wasn't he. Julia?"
 ~What do you mean?"
 T mean you still like Peter Kemp"
 T never said I liked him at all" said Julia, taking up a cig- aret.
 Next afternoon, she received a frantic telephone call from Kemp.
 T must come right over," he told her. "It,s important"
 "Yes, Peter ."
 It seemed to her that she had hardly replaced the receiver wher she heard Kemp's ring.
 How ever did you get here se quickly from the once, Peter?"
 He smiled quickly and hurried into the room. T didn't come from he office. I'm not with Woodford and Brooks now, Julia."
 You mean you've quit?"
 He nodded. Of course, Julia. I'm going to be working against Woodford in this business. And l never liked him anyhow"
 "But, Peteri You mean you've given up your place to help me?" Oh. Peter, I wish you hadn't done thati And it's so unnecessary"
 He looked at her oddly. "Un- necessary" he asked. I'm afraid you're really in spot, Julia"
 You mean-''
 T mean that things are hap pening pretty fast against you. Buchen has been talking with Tony Latta, for one thing. Latta sore at you for running out on him, see we can expect anything there. have 1t straight that you and Payson figured in an alterca- ton on Latta's gambling ship"
 But 1t was Latta,s fault, Peterl don't see how"
 "Buchen could drag that out of you so 1t would appear plenty discriminating in court, Julia. The fact that you sang on a gambling ship would work against you with most jurors"
 Julia sat down, staring at him unbelievingly. You talk as if l were going to be accused of mur- dering Royal Nesbitt."
 I'm afraid you are, Julia. l" He stopped a moment, looking down at her curiously. They're going to question Payson, too Buchen knows that Payson wal the man who tried to help you on Evergreen Island, and that he was the one who tried to break into the radio room of Wood lords pacht. And he knows Pay son is behind the White Club"
 Julia drew a quick breath. But but how can they say killed Nes- bitt?"
 You mean the motiye?" Kemr frcwned. T don't know yet what Buchen will use. It may be that you wanted to escape from the yacht. He can prove you wanted to get away. He might build 1t up that you got into a argument with Nesbitt. can't contend that the blow was . mans. not a w0mans = because Nesbitt was stunned. then died by drowning" Kemp paced across the table. Or Buchen may build up some love an- gle. He's good at that"
 "But--how could he?"
 You've never heard Buchen fin action, And didn't you tell him that Nesbitt had been coming to your apartment long before you ever saw him on Woodford's cruiser"
 Julia was silent. slowly real- izing that 1t could be true. Buchen could make it bad for her. Perhaps he himself believed that she had killed Nesbitt-and in his belief could convince the fury.
 "But, mo-" Julia cried, half fin answer to her thoughts. "They can't, Peteri They can't do anything to me, because I didn't do iti" Kemp studied her . moment, then walked across the room and kneeIed down beside her chair. Look here, Julia. I've got to get you out Of this. But if do manage it you have Co teli me the truth. Don't you see? In order eo bs prepared for Buehen I have 8 know whas seaiIy happened. xS,. ,' dent have Co iis Co me Suddenly Julia realized what LA zaamUl |E1|@n1ala, nfsa aaaIlaas1