The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-22

ONV " w aAC S otAh6Ay AtehA oAhs wanted to be alone," Steve told her skeptically. Come on. We'll go back and you can go to bed. Maybe you'll feel like telling me tomorrow"
 Steven went back to the club car to spend the evening leafing through the train magazines. Nikki retired to her stateroom, desultorily taking off her clothes and wondering whether to wire her father. She decided not to wire.
 If he could have told me more he would have in the first note, thought Nikki as she climbed into bed. And then she suddenly came to the conclusion that her father probably knew what he was do- ing and had good reason for It.
 There's no point in my worry ing myself into state about 1t, she concluded. At least not until something else happens. And feel ing better, she went to sleep.
 Something else happened, and if 1t didn't add to Nikki's worries, 1t at least added to the whole pug gle. She had greeted Steve cheer fly at breakfast.
 You were 8 darling not to be angry last night she told him. I'm feeling fine now" She was, and after five minutes bright conversation decided she had atoned in Steves eyes for her be- havior of the night before and that all was well there. After they had eaten Steve had gone back to his stateroom while Nikki paused a moment to talk to the porter. She was just starting away when she looked down the cor ridor.
 Get ready" she told herself half aloud. Here's that man again."
 He was followed by another, shorter and stockier, and obviously they were together. He was almost abreast of Nikki when he spoke
 T would like to apologize for my intrusion of yesterday. I must have startled you," he said, and Nikki remembered his sift, smoot2 voice.
 She simulated mild surprise.
 Tt was quite swiftly that her safest course was to be casual. No one could blame you for be- ing anxious about your CT - dressing case" Nikki said 1t as if carrying $100,000 in cash around was the most usual thing in the world to her.
 T would like to introduce my self," he continued. My name is Wade Bancroft. This gentleman is MT. Sarto, my business associate. MT. Sarto nodded jerkily and backed away until he could con- tinue on up the passage. T would like to see more of you," said Bancroft, and Nikki thought, I wonder how he means that. If he doesn't quit saying T would like" I'll scream and if he's Bancroft and the other man is Sarto, where is Dillon? Then she remembered her fathers note and said:
 T am Nikki Jerome"
 Going to the coast7' No, just to the Lazy R Ranch in Wyoming"
 Bancroft nodded pleasantly, an- nounced that he hoped to see her again and Nikki continued on to her stateroom, her brain whirling.
 The man with the dressing case full of money isn't Dillon, she thought, he is Bancroft. He is travelling with an associate" who looks remarkably like body guard.
 And now, summed up Nikki un- happily, know about the money. Either Bancroft is Dillon or he has done something to Dillon and taken his money. If he's Dillon I've got to be nice to him on ac- count of Dad, and if he isn't I'm liable to be murdered because I know about the money.
 That afternoon she and Steve strolled back to the club car, but found every chair taken. The train had filled up at Chicago.
 Want to try the observation?' asked Steve, Nikki nodded and they had almost reached the far end when man arose hastily. u was Bancroft.
 Miss Jerome" he observed. Looking for a chair? think MT. Sarto was just leaving, weren't you Carl?" 6arto arose without a word. Bancroft grasped Nikki's arm gently and began guiding her toward the vacated chair.
 Just minute,' said Steve, mostly amazed, but Q little an- noyed. Nikki leaped into the breach.
 "Oh Steve" she said This is MT. Bancroft. MT. Bancroft, MT. :fallory," and added. my fiance."
 Steve grunted. Bancroft looked Steve up and down and said:
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