Evening star., 1936-12-27

ngure IN white Jacket entered.
IF you are feeling better, sir, DR.. Fechner
awaits you in the saloon"
Richard Melville followed the servant up
companionway. When he stepped into the
saloon, the door was closed behind him. The
place was luxuriously furnished, with rose
wood panelling, carpet of soft silver grey,
and deep armchairs. DIR. Fechner reclined
upon couch at the other end, dressed in
trousers of white duck and blue REFER jacket
I'm sorry things have turned out like this,
my dear Melville" he remarked casually.
Won't you sit down."
80 you've got me just where you want
me, Dr. Fechner" Richard said in a re-
strained voice. "Or perhaps should call you
Cesare Cratz ="
"Gratz!' DR.. Fechner smiled That's a
name use only when it suits my convenience.
It's pity you played the eavesdropper last
night after dinner. was hoping we'd remain
good friends always"
"A friend? You've played foul game from
the start -" DR.. Fechner interrupted:
Il accept the compliment And must con-
gratulate you! You handled difficult situa-
ton amazingly well. You began by bluffing
us completely about the formulae at Eugene's
house. Indeed, your only mistake was to
take me 50 fully into your confidence last
night at dinner"
You called yourself friend of Brydons!
That's why was fool enough to trust you,"
Melville barked.
"A friend of Brydon's? Oh, yes; make it
my business to cultivate useful friendships.
admit l went to the Osmonds house the
other evening to inquire discreetly about
you. wondered if you'd come to England to
see Brydon about your new metal alloy. In
deed. wasn't perfectly certain of this until
last night when you conided in me about the
formulae and laboratory records"
1--WE already said was fool!'
you obeyed a generous impulse. find it's
always a mistake to follow ones finer feel
ings."
Finer feelings!" Richard gave a cynical
laugh. Have you got any - has Eugene, has
Valerie Renard?"
Valerie? Unfortunately, that's her weak
ness. She's just been trying to persuade me
to renew my offer to you" Fechner shook
his head. my dear sir, without any help of
yours, by tomorrow night the formulae and
laboratory records will be in my hands. Per-
haps you've guessed we're on our way to
Cornwall now? -. We must check over the
formulae together"
You imagine I'd help you?"
IF you refuse, must use methods to COM
pei you, Afterwards. you'll be set free -
under certain conditions. Conditions which
you'll hesitate to break, Mr.. Melville"
The mans audacity took Melville's breath
away. With chuckle, DR.. Fechner said:
Since we won't reach the Cornwall coast
until evening. we may as well spend the day
together pleasantly"
Fechner himself ate hearty breakfast,
and kept up steady flow of conversation.
Although Richard was unable to touch food,
a cup of coffee revived him little
After breakfast he went out to find
steamer chair on deck. Settling down in
sheltered corner, he closed his eyes in the
warm sunlight and when he opened them he
found Valerie Renard seating herself at his
side.
He got awkwardly to his feet and turned
away. Must you go?" she said quietly.
I'D prefer it." His eyes were unsmiling.
"All this may be amusing to you .."
mo - not exactly amusing, Richard"
She took a cigarette from her case, and
L. 4