The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-10-10
/. CAST OF CHARACTERS

ROBERT TAIT-hero. News
paper Observation-Disclosures:
ANNE LESTER-Myrna's clos
pAHNiE FREELEY-offieer as
signed to investigate Ladder
Dombey's murder, .....s /;
Yesterday: TAFT and Anne find
Myrns in an abandoned cabin and
bring her back TO the city to face
the music. TAFT vows to help her
until the end.
CHAPTER MI
Almost three hours later, Just
as the little coupe was crossing
The north city limits, Myrna
awakened on Anne's shoulder. The
dawn was breaking into full day,
and the spirits of the trio rose
with the sun. The black hours in
and near that hillside shack SEEM
ed to TAFT like a bad dream.
He turned to Myrna. Feeling
better"
Eyes little"
"Anne and | have decided you
should sleep some more, though
IN my apartment. Another 20
minutes and we'll be there -.
But when TAFT arrived at his
apartment building. he decided
that caution would be the. better
part of valor. Instead of parking
near the entrance way, he drove
around to the alley.
"Pm going up and have look.
1t may be that Dannie Feeley's
got suspicious and has someone
waiting for my return. You girls
sit. tight here in the car. He
grinned at Myrna.. And lrexpect
to find you here when / get back"
She managed to return a smile.
sI'H be here" she said.
TAFT hurried up the back stair
way of the apartment, slowing
down only when he reached his
floor. Quietly he opened the door
from the back landing into the
long hall. To his relief, no patrol
ing stranger was in sight. Never
theless he went down the hallway
to1isten before his door.
Suddenly he stopped. The door
of his apartment was slightly
ajar! Tentatively he pushed it
open and looked inside-and was
amazed to see, seated in his one
easy chair, Harris Rogers. %
r>'tWe1!% he tried to keep the an
ger from his voice. You're an
early shall we say an early
caller?n go.
Rogers got up, Struggling his
shoulders, and Strengthening his
collar. Better caA me guest,
TAFT. The fact is, I've been here
sll night" He smiled, not unpleas-
antly. you see, ] came last night.
You hadn't arrived, and i per-
suaded the janitor that ! was a
friend Of yours. I hope / didn't
exaggerate, TAFT,
TITS not necessary to exagger-
ate! with the ianitor if you've a SIS
bill" TAFT said. Z. =
~ really expected that you'd
returRA1and then somehow I fell
asleep in that very comfortable
chair; \ hope you'll forgive me.
But under all the circumstances
- " His voice traifed off, and he
made a gesture which said that
TAFT would Internationally under
stand. -, tI.'f,s
aWhat can I do for your TAFT
was still standing. He was puzzled
ut Rogers curious visit, was nerv-
Gus about the two girls in the car.
Suppose they grew disturbed at
his long absence, and walked into
the apartment to investigate? "I
II don't want to rush you, Rog-
ers. But the fact is, I've an early
appointment"
Again Rogers smiled. az won't
be long. Here's the point, TAFT.
I've known YOU for quite q while,
and I've always liked you. Some
how | got the impression, down
there at the Pacific Plaza last
night. that you were interested in
this terrible business"
Interested? How do you
mean"
"Well, curious, then. ! can un-
derstand that. After all, you're
newspaper man by training.
You've been at the finish of a lot
Of things like this. But this is one
that ! wouldn't get worried about.
Bob"
The seemingly mild suggestion.
startled TAFT. "You-you're not
giving me warming. are you? 2"
"of course not" Harry Rogers
laughed disparagingly. FITS Just
a friendly tip. And, frankly. it's
for my sake as well as yours" =
81 see -. :" TAFT drew cigarets
from his pocket and offered the
pack to Rogers. Then. carelessly,
he closed the doe~ into the hall
Turning. ne said. "Now were get
ting somewhere. What's really on.
your nlind?!" %;
,"Just this. As YOU know, Imam
aged Dombey himself well as.
The Swirfgateers. ,l'd ike to see
the band fgo on both because it
means a good SPOT for me, and be-
cause of-of Mrs. Dombey. Poor
Lud is dead. I don't know who
killed him. I'd like to get my
hands on .him-bSt ] think it's
more importsnt 10 keep things; GO
ing for the girl he loved. And Pm
telling you, TAFT, if they start in
vestigating all over the place
there'n be a bad mess of public
fty. That wouldn't be good for
either the girl or her business"
Her business"
of course you didn't know
but Dombey made her q partner
IN Swingateers. She's liable for
the debts of a corporation, and
there are plenty" Rogers held his
palms inward tsItr-iad fo8eonfrol