The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-08-11

NAO VT NAAFN-NF-~ 1900
JUDITH IRVING, heroine, Am
erica's best dressed woman.
PHILIP IRVING, Judith's es-
tranged husband.
MARTA ROGERS, Judith's RI
val
BRUCE KNIGHT, author. Ju-
dith's old elassmate.
MILLICENT BAINE, Bruees
Protege.
CHATTER XII
Basil Rogers. Marta divorced
husband. stood in the doorway OF
the sitting room where Judith,
Marta. and Phil sat.
Hello. my sweet" he greeted
Marta. He leered. $50 thiS-thlS
is the gentleman who's going to
give you an honest million. Con-
CALCULATIONS, my dear, congratula-
tons. Didn't think you could do
il. Better grin thought you.
He turned TO Judith. And you
and | get Tilted, Ell? Don't you
fret. She'll give him a devils life
"a DEVILS own life"
He laughed loudly as though he
appreciated his humor.
Phil was on his feet. That's
about enough out of you" He
grasped the mans arm. but Basil
Rogers pushed him back.
Going, going SOON, he said.
Get OUT Phil commanded,
but the man only laughed.
Patience, please, patience. I've
got 20 talk 10 this young lady
my wife she was. Might rs well
say it in front Of you good people.
She got nd of me-didn't want 10
STAY in my racket--not good
enough for her" His voice grew
uglier. He addressed Marta di-
rectly. But you took a string of
pearls on your own, my dear.
Pretty pearls. ! saw them.
You're lying" Marta said. but
her face was as white rs her hat.
81 won't stand II.
Phil noticed IT, He began TO
speak, then paused.
"Kick him out" Marta ordered
Phil.
Lets hear him through" Phil
answered. Judith saw Marta
clench her hands and look to-
wards the door. 81 want to hear
it."
"You bet you want to hear it :"
the man challenged. "The police
got on my trail because my cS-
wife was at your house when the
pearls went. | was innocent.
Funny. | was innocent this time.
But | had an idea. So I've been
following Marta 10 find out. Saw
her leave her house and come
here. So followed" he held up
a warning hand. Didn't give you
away TO the cops, Marta. Not at
all. Gentleman TO the end. Just
gave them your address. But be-
careful. Marta, be careful"
Judith spoke quietly. How did
the police happen to know | lost
my pearls"
"Yes--hOw?" Marta asked.
at was the jewel detectives
from the insurance agency" Phil
told them. IL reported Judith's
loss, quite naturally. | wanted'to
clear Marta completely and ! also
wanted TO regain the pearls"
Better get going. Marta. The
police are about up with you.
Came TO warn you," Basil Rogers
said and turned TO go.
"You took those pearls Phil
looked straight at Marta.
"No. he's lying. He didn't want
me to divorce him. i couldn't stay
with him when ] found out he
was q jewel thief. never saw
the pearls"
The maid came in then to an
nounce other callers. Ii was Basil
Rogers who nodded 20 her. "Show
'em in, show 'cm in. The detec-
tives, Marta. my love. They
talked TO me a while ago and
thought il would be sort of nice
for all of us To get together. so
| told him To come along. Have
a nice talk-gct things settled
and you can marry this gentle
man"
"Detectives? Hcrc?" Phil ask
ed.
The next 10 minutes were a
blur TO Judith--a blur that would
come back with clarity later. She
knew that the detectives con-
fronted Marta with evidence she
couldn't withstand. She had sold
the pearls. one here and one
there. thinking she ran no danger.
She admitted, sobbingly, that she
had needed the money to main
tain her apartment and wardrobe
until she and nil were married.
She had been in constant fear
that she would be discovered.
al did il because | love you so,
she pleaded with Phil. 81 was go,-
ing to redeem rthem-every pearl
AS soon as | was married and
had a bank account"
''I'll call you later, judith"
Phil said abruptly, and engineer
ed the group into the outer hall
and the elevator.
Judith noticed that the rain