The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-02-11
By Dennis Wheatley . 1891
RECIN HERE TO-DAY

Boarding Carlton Roek.avase
yacht. Golden Gull. off Miami &c
investigate the disaPPearanee OF
Bolitho Blame. British finaneie'
and Rock.avase', chief eompeh'
tor in world soap trade, Detective
Officer kettering finds strange
marx. on Blane's cabin carpet and
blood on the curtain.
Kettering examines all PA,se n
rer, including Nicholas Stodart,
blanc. secretary; Roek,avage and
nj. daughter Ferri; Lady Welter;
Resinald and Mrs. Joeelyn, Lady
Welter'. daughter and son-in.i~~;
the Bishop Of Bude; Count Luigi
Po,odini and lnosuke Hayashi.
Ksttering finds in preliminary
interviews that .Roeksavage had
sought . merger with Blame to
save their companies; that Lady
Welter is heavily interested; that
Haysshi, Japanese agent sough'
to sell q huge soap monopoly
either to Blame or Rocksavage;
that the Bishop was involved in an
un.avory army scandal; that Pos-
oJ;n; /. An ex-eonviet; that Rock
savage's former partner died mys-
teriously in his office.
Later, kettering questions fo-
,odini again, the count admitting
his police record and that Mrs.
Joe.lxn wa, sweet on him." But
ne adds, IL never mix business
with pleasure" Kettering at once
sei1es on the slip of the tongue.
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XIV
SHORTHAND NOTES OF De
TECTIVE OFFICER KETTER-
ING'S SECOND EXAMlNA-
TION OF C0UN POSODlNl,
CONTINUED.
X: You say this dame is sweet
on you?
r.: Yes, she made just one darn
nuisance of herself ever since the
day after We put out from New
York. "Oh, Count, it's such a love
w day, would you carry my rug
up 10 the sun deck?"-"Oh, Count,
don't run away, there're so many
things want TO talk to you
about. "-"Oh, Count, must you 60
below, then let's meet in the
lounge before the others come up
FOR a cocktail" Well, it's all right
when you want that sort of thing,
but when you don't some james
give you the willies.
X: I get you. Now let's 80 back
to the night in question.
p: Well, it was this. way: when
we were talking in the lounge, be-
fore Rocksavage and that fellow
Stedart came in, / happened to
have mentioned that I had read q
real good book, "The Saint in New
York" it was called, by u guy
named Charters. When we came
down the companion-way she said
60 me, "Oh, Count, ] wonder II
you'd lend, me that lovely book
you've lust finished?" and she
takes my arm and accompanies
me along 20 my cabin. / handed
her the book Immediately we got
inside but she wasn't going. Oh,
no, sir, believe you me. Down she
sat on the edge of my bed and en-
gagged me in conversation. She SAT
there nearly half an hour, and
even then l had my work cut out
70 get rid Of her. Then | had to
seram after she left. or | wouldn't
have been changed in time for
dinner. That's all there Is TO it.
*: Right, that's fine. Now, !
want to know why Reginald Joce-
I'm. asked you 10 join this party
in the first place? ~.
: Pile faheies himself at poker,
so he asked me along in the hope
weSd be able to make a little
school and brighten up the trip.
X: Did be know that you were
q sharp? 49, .
p: well, no, wouldn't say that,
but he's no fool, that boy, al
though / certainly took wad off
him when we crossed together on
the Normandie. He can see as far
as most people and, although he's
no reason 10. complain, J. wouldn't
be surprised if he thinks my castle
in Italy to be all moonshine.
h: Listen, Slick: he wouldn't
have asked you TO come along If
he felt that way about You, and
It's. pretty obvious from what you
say that ne did. There must have
been some other reason and
want il, 80.
P.:Well. il there was, Pm not
talking about il. f'.s
n: Don't you think it would be
better to do the talking quietly
here with me, than to some heart
less cop you'll have to spill the
beans TO il / send you ashore? .
p: You wouldn't do that, chief.
X; I would and you know it.
You're due for a first-class grill
ing, Slick, unless you come clean
with me. - o.
p: II only you'll believe me,
that's ALI / ask. .,'' :.
k. I'll believe you all right.