The Washington times., 1937-11-27

fell out.
ut will cost 5000, 1000 to get your
daughter back. Wait. More to fol.
low. We warn you. No police"
It was signed: Tony"
Mallory slumped into chair. He
began to sob deep, shaking sobs
which broke jays heart.
Jay grabbed the letter. He could
not believe his eyes. Its ridicu-
louSr'
Then Mallory heard his wife on
the stairs. PUT that paper in your
pocket. Don't tell your mother yet"
They managed to get Mrs. NAL
lory to go back to her room. They
called Lucy and told her to stay
with her.
LET me think" Mallory sat with
his head in his hands. Wen wait
for Stoddard. He's due here
shortly. I'm so afraid, Jayl" The
old man broke down again.
ACCUSATIONS
Shortly Stoddard came and
Mallory looked years older.
Whats happened"
Dick stood suddenly still. Jay
handed him the note. Dick read it,
disbelief in his eyes.
MY God, what shall we dol"
Mallory was sobbing again.
"Just minute. Gentlemen Let
me think a minute"
Dick, his face white and drawn,
examined both envelope and note.
1T was mailed at o'clock this
morning from Times Square"
He turned to Jay: There Is no
conceivable reason why Karen
should want a large sum Of money,
is there?"
Absolutely none. She can have
as much as she likes by writing
check. Her own fortune is large"
Let me think out loud for a
moment. If she wanted to go
away alone, she could go. There
was nothing to stop her." He
turned appealingly to Jay. "She
wouldn't do this just to worry us?"
mol"
Stoddard Strengthened his .shoul-
derS. "Au right. This Is q wait
ing game. But first, Jay, cancel
tonight'S sailing. We don't want
any curiosity as to why Karen
Mallory isn't on that ship when it
pulls out"
While Jay was telephoning, Dick
sat there thinking. He had to tell
the story now. The poor Mariet-
tos!
Mallory, there is something 1
did not tell you last night. I'll
explain my reasons"
II knew It'll"
"No, you don't understand. I
know here Karen went from here"
Mallory's eyes were hostile.
Remember, I love Karen, Mr..
Mallory" Dicks voice held des-
perate appeal.
"Mr. Mallory, do you want to
trust meP" The old man hesitated,
finally held out his hand. Then
we must get to work." Dick con-
tinued.
I'VE must be careful who comes
in and out Of this house. It is
probably watched. I'm going out
for a while. When I come back,
may know something"
TRACING KAREN
Dick got his hat, he had not
taken off his coat, and dashed out
the front door. His car was In the
driveway and he went straight to
the MariettoS.
Cecilia was cleaning the front
room when he came in. Cecilia,
have I always been a friend Of
yours?"
"Oh yes, Judge"
you've said you wanted to re-
pay me for what I've done?"
"Oh yes"
"You can, now. Cecilia, I am
going to tell you a secret you must
tell to nobody in the world. Prom
ise?"
The girls eyes were full of ter
ror at Dicks tense voice.
Karen did not get home"
Ooh" The girl sank onto
the davenport. mo! What hap
pened2"
Something serious. can't tell
you about that. But want you to
sit here quietly and remember
every little thing that happened"
Cecilia, her hands folded, stared
at Dick.
Cecilia. her hands folded. stared
at Dick.
did she say anything about
where she was going from here?"
"She said she was going away
for a long, long time. Then she
cried"
Tears came to Cecelia's eyes
again.
How did she come hereP"
"In a taxicab."
did you see her?"
IT was right at the window"
"And when she left, was it
dark?"
1T was just getting dark. And
she hurried up the street because
I told her you were coming"
"She didn't take q cah?"
II don't know. I watched her
walking up the street as far as I
could see."
Stoddard sank down on q chair.
Nov try and remember Just how
far she was UP the street when
you lost sight Of her?"
Together they stood in the front
window and peered out. "She must
have hAen almost Ia the enrrnaH