Evening star., 1938-06-05

Help yourself, my lad"
Get me New York." said Curtis to
the operator and named very private
number. Joan gave an anxious little
gasp but neither Felderman nor his
lordship paid any heed. Presently
Curtis was saying, Uncle Larry.
Curtis speaking. Sorry to wake you
at one o'clock in the morning. Are you
sure you're quite awake? Good. The
transaction you entrusted me with is
complete in every detail. Will you
arrange a credit for me in your bank
in London today of hundred thou
sand9 That's the total cost except for
an item of two thousand for polo
pony. Correct, sir - one hundred and
two thousand to be telephoned at
nine o'clock this morning, New York
time. Goodby, sir" He hung up.
There's another matter requiring
attention, sir" said Curtis. address
ing the Marques, ''at the earliest
possible moment. l wish your per
mission to ask Joan to marry me-
You're confusing me with the
Comte Montvert de Naucandieu, my
boy" said his lordship; his eyes
twinkled. Il can't possibly give you
permission. but I'll help your
Il love you. sir. said Curtis gravely.
loan, will you marry me?''
'Yes, Curtis"
Here? Today"
"Nonsense," said the Marques.
Whats the rush?"
Il assure you there is rush, SIR
said Curtis earnestly, land I'll explain
it Immediately after the ceremony.
Please believe me. please trust me-"
You're mad" said the Marques
scowling. Not even l could arrange
it here. Possibly in London"
Then let's go to London"
But no marriage todayr'
Then tomorrow. said Curtis,
as one making last concession ...
Arrived in London, the party agreed
to meet again at Marchamps House at
noon on the following day. As they
were about to separate, the Marques
drew Curtis aside. Listen, my lad;
tomorrow's Sunday. Do people ever
get married on Sunday?"
I'm going to be. I've got to be-"
said Curtis desperately. Surely you
of all people can arrange the British
end of it and trust me to guarantee
American legality. Please, sir; you
joke about my having saved your
life, now save mine."
"I'll do what l can"
As soon as he had left Joan and the
others, Curtis went to the nearest
post Office and cabled the Secretary of
State in Washington: For reasons of
the most private nature l hereby
tender my resignation from the For
eign Service, effective as from the
date of this message"
He proceeded to his fiat in St.
James's Street and was admitted by
Simpson. whose professional i'm
perturbability had yielded to the
pallor of fright. ''Oh, sir, I'm glad
you have returned. Your mother is in
a panic, sir. She called up steadily
through the latter part of the night
and all morning. There it is again. sir"
"Yes, Mother" Curtis said over
the telephone. "I'm quite all right.
After all. since it's week end why
should you have been so disturbed?
What's that? You don't know where
Audrey is either? I'll be over at once.
l have an idea where Audrey is, and
l can assure you she's safe enough as
far as broken bones are concerned"
Rather than put himself to the
trouble of parking, Curtis took taxi
and instructed the driver to make
detour through a certain street of
Cavendish Square before proceeding
to the hotel. 1t was mere hunch, but
it proved a winner In front of the
nursing home where Won Marbeck
was hospitalized he recognized the
car which had given him such chase.