Evening star., 1937-01-03
Mosozias Section

He ripped out an oath as his foot slipped
on the rock, and at the same moment Mel
vile saw the head and shoulders of Fechner
come into view. He was not certain what
happened next, but he started up as scream
of warning rang out from Eugene. A dis
lodged boulder came crashing down from
above and hit the rock yard from where
Fechner uouched.
Margaret gasped. and Melville sprang to
his feet. For the boulder had swept Fechner
from the ledge like fly. Richard was in time
to see the man 60 hurting down the pre-
cipitous slope towards the sea. His body
seemed to hang for a moment on the edge of
the lower cliff, then it disappeared.
Hoarse voices sounded on the sheep track
below. The two men were hastily descending.
and when Eugene joined them some minutes
later they raced back towards the path that
led down to the beach.
Richards arms had gone protectively
around Margaret's trembling body. They've
gone, y he whispered, and presently he raised
her to her feet. and pointed down to the
shore. The lifeless body of a man was being
carried to one of the boats. It was their last
glimpse Of DR.. Fechner.
When Margaret and Richard got back to
the house, they found Mr.. Brydon on couch
in the hall. His wrists and ankles had been
secured, and scarf was around his mouth.
On the floor beside him lay the telephone,
smashed into a dozen fragments. After sip
of brandy the old man recovered; and when
he went out on the terrace. leaning ON Mel
ville's arm. he gave long sigh Of relief
and clasped the younger mans hand. For in
the still night air the rattle of an anchor
chain could be heard and the three of them
stood close together as they watched the
yacht head slowly for the open sea.
1t was ten days later that Margaret
motored Richard Melville to Plymouth to
catch the liner that was to take him back
to New York. They sat quietly talking to-
gether in his cabin. In his pocket was John
Spencer Brydon's report on the new metal
alloy. which left no doubt that the War De-
partment would start manufacture in sched-
uled time.
But it was not about the metal that
Richard and Margaret were talking during
their last few minutes together; it was the
experiences they had shared in the face of
danger. DR.. Fechner's death had been an
nounced in the newspaper, and his body had
been buried at sea. but Mr.. Brydon had re-
Trained from correcting the report that the
man had died az the result Of an accident
on board his steam yacht Iyslosds on its pas
sage to the Mediterranean They had been
more Interested in the news note that had
appeared several days afterwards. On an
espionage charge, dating from the previous
year, Eugene had been arrested in Marseilles.
It was thought that he had been attempting
to rejoin his colleague, young woman
known to the French police as Valerie
Remont. She was still at large. the report
continued. but it was understood that de-
tectives were on her track.
--..' II. wonder if they'll ever get her." said
= Margmet. She must be very clever. and
you've told me how charming che is..."
mo, not charming" returned Melville
quickly. Good looking - yes, IN a way.
She's certainly a woman you'd never forget.
I'd like to know where she is
''She saved your life, Richard" said
Margaret softly. She must have been well.
just little in love with your
But he made NO reply. and began to open
small parcel which had been addressed to
him on board the liner. It had Paris post
mark, he noticed.