The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-30
CHAPTER VI

When Martha aWakeneO,. ralSeO herself sleepily to the window, the bright yellow sun of Santa Barbara was high overhead. To her embarrassment, cars were parked all along the block which had been so deserted only few hours before. The snow-white sand of the beach was dotted with the bright bathing suits and multi-col- ored sun-umbrellas. Offshore a dog en small sailing craft played about, and as Martha gazed from the win- dow 8 smart speedboat dashed by, tossing spray high tbove its sedan top.
 :. But as Martha watched she was possessed of only one thought how Betty would have enjoyed tho movement and color of such a scene. Hurriedly she dashed her face with cold water, made a slapdash attempt to fix her hair presentably. Across the street was 8 little cafe and she decided it would be quicker to breakfast there.
 Returning to the trailer after a brief breakfast which she hardly taated, Martha confronted a pleas ant-looking motorcycle officer in uniform. He smiled and touched his cap. Sorry, miss. We don't allow trailers to park on this street, but you can find place"
 I'm leaving right away, officer" " ,M&rtha interrupted and climbed in- to the coupe. So quickly did she suit the action to the word that the of ficer stared after trailer and car open
 The pleasant officer scratched his head, uttering puzzled and audible comment.
 And despite the trailer in tow, Martha did hurry. At all times she held close to the maximum speed limit, and on the lone straightaways she took chance against the law. One thought kept dinning in her brain: she must reach the Palace Hotel in San Francisco and contact Betty Haynes.
 At every little town she paused at gasoline stations on the main highway, asking for information as to a dark blue roadster. But none had any help to give. T just came on duty, lady," T wasn't here last night" Or "No, ma am, I don't remember any dark blue roadster at all" In Santa Maria, in San Luis Obispo, in Paso Robles, in busy King City, it was the same. But still Martha kept grimly on, holding to her faith in the myster- iouS telegram she had received at Long Beach.
 And then, late that afternoon she reached Salinas. Wearily she drove into a gasoline yard and asked the same question once more
 aDark blue roadster?" the attend ant said. "Y-yes, there was one in here"
 Martha strengthened in her seat. "DO you remember, was there a woman in it?"
 "Yes. A woman and man. "A thin fellow-and girl with light hair."
 Excitedly Martha reached into the pocket of her jacket, brought out the slip of paper on which she'd written Speddon's license number. fssWas that the license?"
 The attendant looked at it. "Gosh," he said slowly. I'm not sure. I remember looking at the plate when I was filling the tank, and 1t seems to me it was some thing like that. But I can't be sure."
 Martha fixed his glance. Please try to remember Did you notice anything at all strange about the girl? I mean did she-was she acting perfectly natural?"
 well .. thought she looked sort of down in the mouth. Like maybe they'd had 8 fight or some- thing. People come in here like that 8 lot"
 -It ! might h.t have been fright,
 ~Scared? Well-well. I guess she could've been."
 @And they went on toward San Efancisco?"
 The attendant looked at her "Ho they didn't. They turned down toward Carmel and Monterey"
 "How do you know that?"
 @That's the road right there. EEn Francisco IS straight ahead. III unfl sllnfak fn nn dnn,.a fs. Ai.a