Evening star., 1936-09-02
INSTALLMENT XIV.

door ana greeueo OeeoS
blithely.
~ You're looking very much
better." were her first words. as she
surveyed him. did you get some
sleep and rest, as I told you to?"
"Ive been loafing feel better,
thanks" 5
"Just the same, I'm going to check
up with Gene, when I see him, on
what YOU two did last night" She
settled herself in the next chair and
smoothed her skirt. He has de-
.veloped into a regular go-getter since
he's been here. I wouldn't be much
surprised to find that he's addressing
Rotary clubs"
Maybe he is"
Cant prove it by me. One thing
sure, he seems to be all talked out
when he hangs around here. About
as communicative as Joan or
does she loosen up in the right COM
pany?"
"You asking me?"
: "Of course I'm playing you
across the board now. I figure that
.Jawn isn't in the money any more
! know how he feels"
"You?"
Z, "Are you so used to having girls
throw themselves at you, that II
doesn't make any impression at all:
MY luck was pitiful. I've seen lot
of Summer romances in my time, but
you're the fastest worker yet. All
have to say is hope you win
y Deeds glanced around in surprise
Ut the sudden little ring of sincerity
IN Claires last words. For some rea-
son, it did not occur to him to at
tempt deceit.
II could wish the same thing" hi
answered simply.
"Joan's a dear" Claire said i'm
pulsively. But can't get away from
the idea rather I'd shut up?'
NO" Deeds leaned nearer. 81
want you to finish. I want you t.
tell me why you wished, the Other
day, that she wasn't here. I have 6
reason"
"I can't answer that, Deeds. No
the way think you want me to. It!
Just that I worry about her, and
know she wouldn't thank me. A
first thought that doctor was hound
ing her on the quiet. But, now.
don't think that's it. Just sill.
hunch I guess"
II hope so.'
"I don't know a thing, Deeds . d.
honestly. I told you that Joan neve
lets me get very near her. But "
surprised her several times. Whel
she thought no one was watching
her. you know There's queer
strained look in her eyes almos
as If she were afraid. I can't fame
Joan having past"
Claire laughed lightly over tina
suggestion. Her blue eyes looke'
frankly at Deeds. 1t was a cinch
he decided, that she knew nothin,
of that marriage. 1t looked. NOR
than ever now, as If Sloan Elledg
was the only outsider able to us
that information to Joans disad
vantage.
He excused himself and went t.
his room to make ready for dinner.
Having reached the conclusion tina
It would be best, while waiting TO
circumstances to develop, if he mad
no obvious attempts to seek joan
company. Deeds had no opportunit.
to talk with her until they met b.
chance the following afternoon.
He had been debating whether o
not he would say anything abou
her having been seen in his room
He was satisfied that his explanation
still was correct, but had been unabl
to dismiss it. There were severa
reasons why he did not approve o
Joan's being in his room like that .
the chief one being that his doc
was in plain sight of the Elledg
quarters. OF course, they were a
the table every one was, excep
that Beckham kid.
"You know, JOAN" he began alb
ruptly, I've had my first great disap
pointment in you"
What do you mean, Mac?" He
brown eyes met his with startled
gaze" Have I done something?"
Yeah" He was forced to grin
"You've destroyed my faith in wom.
ans intuition"
What do you mean?"
Nothing, except you told me yol
knew was planning to beat it from
here. I thought your heart mus
have said it. And it was only youl
eyes. You saw the damning evi.
dence."
What evidence?'
my bags. When you were in my
room" He laughed at her bewildereo
expression. Don't tell me you're
going to brazen it out!"
IF you'll be good enough to tel
me what in the world you're talking
about" Joan's tone was impatient. .
"All right. In words of easy sylla-.
bles. I didn't get up until late yes.
terday just before lunch time
in fact been joy-riding with
Gene, you know. Rosemary didn'
have a chance to do my room, 81
you did it while was down drinking
coffee Like nice girl. Just befor,
I started down I dragged my bag
out Of the closet. How's that?"
Joan looked at him soberly.
Very good as far as 1t goes
Would you mind telling me the res
OF it?"
Easy. Just one of those unex
pected incidents that always break
up the perfect crime. The surpris
witness, this time"
"Oh. And it WASP"
"Young Mid, the boy sleuth. Mid