The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-03-26


didn't pay any attention TO her.
Now you've got m ewondering.'
Gerry Neal laughed. Forget 1t!
/ didn't mean to put damper on
your good luck" He turned to
Martha at the wheel. "Are you
going into Los Angeles tonight ?"
"Just as far as Long Beach.
We're staying at the Golden State
Auto Park"
mind if l stop at the next town
and put in a long distance to a
friend of mine to drive down from
Los Angeles and meet me there
"Not at all.
"His names Jack Speddon." He
paused q moment, looking at the
two girls as if he believed they
might recognize the name. I'm
sure you'll enjoy meeting him.
At the next town Martha drew
the car and trailer to a stop be-
fore small store bearing sign
"Pay Telephone" Neal hoped
out. "I'll only be a minute" he
said, and disappeared into the
store.
Betty looked at Martha. What
do you make of him."
"Darned if | know" she an
swered slowly. For the last mile
I've been wondering if he might
not be connected with our boss.
"You mean spying on u.s." said
Betty, wide-eyed. why would
Sloss want TO do that"
Martha shrugged. 81 don't
know, I'm sure. If he was sus-
picious of us in the first place
surely he'd have investigated a lit
tie more. I've half q mind to set
that suitcase out on the curb and
drive away from here"
But before this could be accom-
plished Neal had reappeared'
"Everything's set" he said
Jacks going to meet me-" he
got back into the coupe; and with
a side-long glance at her compan-
ion Martha showed the car into
gear.
As they sped along, Neal talked
entertainingly. There was nc
doubt but what he. was well edu'
Gated and had travelled. Whatever
his luck was now, he had known
better fortune:
AS Martha drove the little
coupe, listening to Gerry Neal:
pleasant voice, she wondered II
She were being fool. Always
honest with herself, she admitted
that she had been attracted u
him. Even at that first meeting
in the half-light of the hall in thai
San Diego apartment, she haC
found Neal interesting. She had
in fact, found him more interest
ing than she would have admitted
TO Betty Haynes. And now she
had picked him up on the road
A moment ago she'd been so fool
ish as TO mention that she anC
Betty had received money from
Arnold SloSS. Nervously Martha
visioned the revolver she had pur
chased in San Diego. 1t was il
the pocket of the door neares'
! Neal. She wouldn't, she realized
in sudden panic, have the slightes
chance of reaching il if Gerr!
Neal decided against it.
But if Neal intended tric&ery
he was ut least leisurcly about il
The afternoon hours passct
swiftly, and rs they drew nearer
10 Long Beach he still gave NJ
sign of being anything more thar
happy-go-lucky young man TEN
poraril yout of luck. Apparently
too, he had won Betty-for nov
she was talking merrily, too, quite
as if she'd known Gerry Neal al
her life.
"By the way" Neal said at last
rubbing his chin. "I'm frightfull!
embarrassed about arriving II
Long Beach with two charming
young ladies and no shave. I've
razor in my bag and I'm just won
dering if you'd let me get int
that fancy trailer and use it."
"Of course" Martha said quick
ly, slowing down. There's a goo'
mirror and q wash BASIN
Taking his bag from between
his feet, Neal stepped down int
the road. "Wcll," he smiled. ="
hope you recognize me when w
meet at the Golden State Auto
Park"
Martha listened for the click o
the trailer door. then showed th'
car into gear. "He may not have
much money or baggage" she tol'
potty uhnt ho nackS q lnt m