The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-06-04

said. slowly, '.Such a nice chap, but
headed wrong
"Oh, he'll be all right; I've my eye
on him. And he's always careful
when Mrs. Maiden is around. Now,
when can you get with US for a real
meeting of the executors?'
Almost any time. Give me bit
of advance notice, and I'll be on
deck. Is there much doing YETI"
mot much, until we get more sta
tistics from the banks. But want to
be ready for this Farman person.
You know, suppose, he means war
to the knife? And the circumstances
are $3.50"
so definite and. so incriminat-
ing"
it so strongly. Yet it's the truth. A
really disinterested investigator
would pounce on Perilla as the obvi-
Gus suspect"
II know" Tony drew deep sigh.
That's the reason I stayed home
from the trip-to fight any such in
vestigator."
HYou gave up months pleasure
in the company of the woman you
love, to be here on the mere chance
of something turning up?"
"Of course" Gaskell looked his
surprise Wouldn't you? have low
ed Perilla for years, long before she
knew Corey. But I've no intention of
bothering her. And it's all too soon
yet. If the time ever comes for me to
tell her, very well; if not, then, very
well, again."
Gaskell's handsome face looked
moody and distressed, but in NOM
ent it cleared, and he smiled.
Never mind all that" he said. 81
did want to go motoring with them,
more than lever wanted anything in
all the world, but had bunch I
"I'll remember that. Now that
on me for anything you want"
could do more for here here. So call
This program was put over, and
the perplexed detective was glad to
get to his room, where he could be
alone to think; he had picked up
some new notions during the eve
ming, and they had to be threshed
out
Bob and Tony were at Perilla's
early the next morning. Gaskell
drew her aside, and then into small
reception room and closed the door.
''Don't be frightened" he said,
smiling at her startled gaze, Il only
want to whisper a word of warning.
You know / was Corey's best man,
now want to be yours. And I mean
only to warn you against one or two
things. Don't be too kind to Garth.
Oh, know this sounds like the bah
BILE of a jealous fool, and don't say
I'm not that, but if you want to or
mean to smile on Roger Garth, wait
till you get home again to do it.
There'll be time enough then. And
don't be angry with me for saying
this"
I'm not angry, but I fail to see
what right you have to dictate my
behavior. You were Corey's best
man, but that doesn't mean you are
mine!'
81 know. Forgive me, Perilla, I
truly meant only to speak for your
own good. Oh, darling, if you knew
what you mean to mel" and unable
to restrain himself, Tony clasped her
in his arms.
Just for a moment, though, and
then, letting her go, he said, 'Now
you know-and I'm not sorry. l
promise never to lose command of
myself again and you're going to for
Ioic
mel can't let you leave me in an
uncertainty"
"Well, then I forgive you this
once, on condition that never
again"
Come along, Pril," called NAL
colin, through the door. Buckle is
here, and you're needed. Hurry! We
are bound for California;
Tony followed Perilla from the
room, and set himself to work in
earnest, helping stow away small
bits of luggage and special belong
ings of Perilla. He could not wait for
the actual departure, nor could
tSone, who stopped in for a moment
to say good-by.
The first car held the redoubtable
Buckle, driving, also Sarah, and Mrs.
Dunstan's maid The second contain
ed Perilla, Hilda, Jack Dunstan and
Bob. This was driven by Bailey,
Perilla's own chauffeur. The other
car brought up the rear, with Alice
Dunstan and Jane, Malcolm and
Roger Garth, driven by Garht's man,
Hopper,
About the time the party was
emerging from the Holland tunnel
into the New Jersey sunshine Cas-
kell receievd telegram from Rich
ard Carleton, saying he would be in
New York by noon, and hoped to
have meeting of the executors that
afternoon, as he had to return to
Washington on a night train.
Tony called up Stone and also Mr..
Lowell, the latter advising that the
meeting be held at his home. This
was arranged, and at 3 o'clock a con-
clave was held for the discussion of