Evening star., 1936-12-13
Mosoxiss Section

SAnilSI W tCAOSilZS tiiC No1 H. Wdo dtS OitC LA
which Valerie Renard had driven him from
the Marquise Hotel. They had followed him
here! He remembered what Valerie had told
him: the Marquise Hotel was being watched.
Pushing open the gate, Melville hurried up
the path and rang the bell in the portico.
'Mr. Melville, sir? Miss Brydon is expect
ing you. Come this way, please"
Melville followed the manservant along the
corridor and was shown into the spacious
book-ined library where Margaret Brydon
awaited him. She was dressed in low frock
of shimmering blue - the color of her eyes,
he noticed - and her golden hair was like
bright halo. $50 glad you came" she smiled.
Il must speak to you alone" Melville
glanced at the door, making sure it was
closed. I'VE are quite alone" she assured
him. Il remembered you said on the phone
that you had something important to tell me.
Do sit down. A cigarette?" She stood with
her white arm resting on the marble mantel-
piece as she listened.
I'm going to take you into my confidence,
Miss Brydon. know can trust you. This
concerns your father as well as myself.
Frankly, I'm in a tight jam, and think
you're the only person in London who can
get me out of it. I'm supposed to be over here
on holiday trip. but actually I'm here to
consult with your father on behalf of the
Federal Research Laboratories"
She was interested, and waited for him to
continue. From the corridor there came
sounds of talk and laughter; and presently
they caught the murmur of waltz tune.
You'd better hear the whole thing. Miss
Brydon." He told her about his new metal
alloy for aircraft; and the urgent need for
secrecy. Then he spoke of Valerie Renard and
her employer whom she called Cesare, who
had learned of the discovery, and was fight
ing to obtain the formulae and processes, IN
order to sell them to European power.
Have you gone to the polioe?" Margaret
asked quickly.
Richard Melville shook his head. No; the
police mustn't come into this. There must
be no publicity" He explained how he had
tried to bluff his opponents by giving them
the formulae of an alloy that had failed under
test. by the time they found I'd tricled
them. was hoping to be safely in Cornwall.
As yet, Cesare and Valerie Renard know
nothing about my visit to your father. If
can give them the slip in London. I'll have
nothing to worry about. But they're clever,
these devils They've followed me here
Margaret Brydon drew in quick breath.
They've followed your
'Yes, and you can help me = if you will
I've got the formulae and laboratory records
in my pocket. Thank heaven, Cesare doesn't
know I've brought them to England" He
looked apprehensively towards the windows,
and saw that both were closely curtained.
Here they are. Can you 60 to Cornwall to-
morrow, and take these records with you?'
Margaret was gazing at the sealed package
in his hand "Is there no other way?"
None. could pitch this into the fire, of
course. No doubt could get safely back to
America on cargo boat But think what that
means! Our people have planned to start
manufacture in three weeks. The foundry il
ready, picked men will be standing by. But
without your fathers report. the War De-
partment won't give the order to begin. I
just can't sail without it. You see the point?'
Yes" she said slowly, and held out her
hand. I'm take it, Mr.. Melville. III motor
down to Cornwall tomorrow, and IN wait
there with Daddy till you come
Thank Cod" Melville breathed his relief.
You'll have to make some excuse to your
sister and Sir Henry. Not soul must know
anvthiuu al,oa,t thse -