The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-11-18
CHAPTER vII-Continued

rectly opposite the door? He re-
membered now. Jed had told him
that he had 0. KID an offer Henri
Jacques had reported for the out-of-
date machine. Probably the butler
had planned to drive it off in the
morning.
The man who had just made his
getaway had stopped here. Why?
Had he hidden loot? The silver?
But the silver had been in the
storeroom only a few hours ago. A
few hoursl Much could happen IN
few hours while the occupants of the
Other House had been at supper at
the Reyburns' He'd better investi-
gate. Lucky he still carried the
key to his aunt's garage on his ring.
In the days when they had been
friendly, she had insisted upon his
having key to the house as
well. Soundlessly he slid back the
door, squeezed in. closed and locked
it.
With the light in his torch
dimmed, he tiptoed carefully be-
tween the automobiles. Brooke's
long, sleek town car. Sans con-
vertible coupe. The white cloth
cover of the old limousine was aWry
as if it had been hastily adjusted.
Part of it lay on the floor. What
was that mark? A footprint a foot
print faint but bloodyl
With a childish impulse to clutch
their coats and keep the men with
her, Brooke Reyburn had listened
to the closing of the door behind
Mark Trent and Jed Stewart. They
had pleaded an early morning start
for the city, but she was sure that
they had gone because they resent
ed Jerry Fields sulky silence. She
would have been glad to get away
from his gloomy presence herself.
She glanced at him as he stood be-
fore the fire. From the back OF the
house came the crash of dishes,
shout of laughter.
Brooke sprang to her feet. Il
wonder what went then. | suspect
that Lucette and Sam started
rough-housing and that Daphne was
drawn into the scuffie. | should
have known better than to let them
wash the dishes. Come on. Jerry.
Let's investigate. I'd rather know
the worst at once"
Field Strengthened. and thrust his
hands hard into his pockets.
Same here, Brooke. want to
know what you were doing in Mark
Trent's house while we were at re-
hearsal. -
why should you think ! had been
in his house2"
Didn't Stewart find gardenia
outside his front door,"
$50 what7 | suppose there
couldn't be another woman in the
world who might call on MIR. Trent
wearing flower, or did you corner
the gardenia market today, Jerry7"
Fields expression changed from
gloom to cheer.
There's something in that. Trent
certainly is a WOW with the ladies'.
| ! hear that he could dine out three
times an evening if he'd accept the
invitations heaped on him. 1t gets
me why he settled down In this
burg. Don't be sore at me, sweet
thing. Wasn't it natural for me to
think the flower yours when Stewart
| produced the gardenia that he found
at Trent's front door when you
weren't wearing any?"
Before she could answer she heard
someone approaching.
She drew a breath of relief as
Sam and the two girls entered
what smashed in the kitchen,
Sam? | thought the chimney had
fallen in"
Nothing but stack of those war
ranted unbreakable plates Clotilde
keeps things on in the ice-box. And
did they crack up? The floor looked
as If there'd been snowstorm."
1.-THE sound brought Henri down
the back stairs in a hurry. Ever
seen him in his robe de mutt,
| Brooke?"
What a giggler you are, Lucettel
OF course ] haven't"
you've missed the laugh OF your
life. He was something straight oui
of Cruikshank edition of Dickens
Night cap with tassel; night shirt,
I believe 1t was called back in the
dark ages; thin bow legs, and flap
ping slippers "
"Was he embarrassed"
HE was not. He behaved more
as il he were afraid we'd miss the
appeal of his costume. He rar
around like this" She trotted across
the floor.
Lucette frowned at Field. Can
you smile for the lady, Jerry? III
tell you one thing. I'd rather be {
giggler than a COB of gloom. Good
night" She dashed from the room
| Daphne ran into the hall.
"Lucette, don't forget that MARI
Trent is giving us : party tomorrow
night at that swell new Supper
club"
Lucette hung over the mahogany
rail. Forget Not chance. Thinl
I'll forget a night off from rehears
ing7 Nothing short of an act Of Coz
will keen me away. Sam, the ole