The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-05
CHAPTER XXVII

AS they drew up in front of the little white cottage, Bobs eyes grew wide at the pandemonium which enveloped it. Police officers, curiosity seekers, newspaper reporters and camera men their shrill voices raised in querulous inquiry gave the place carnival atmosphere Bob pictured MT. Hendry's fury could he ever have Visualized such dissertation.
 A shrine - that was what he had called the little house just a few evenings previous. A shrine to happiness. His words still rang in Bob's ears. T want Joan to have the house - to keep it always as sort of shrine ." Poor Joan! She would probably hate to even pass it, after the misery it was causing her today.
 Sybil and Bob rushed past the crowds without and entered the house. The police had taken com mand, and they seemed to swarm over the place scrutinizing, meas uring, searching.
 Bob restrained himself with an effort. These fools had tried to pin the blame on Joan . on his own beloved Joan. He wanted to have it out with them physically, to choke the words down their throats, with his own bare hands!
 As Sybil introduced them per- functorily, Inspector Kennedy must have senSed some of the turmoil go- ing on within him, for his voice was kindly.
 "A terrible case. MT. Andrews" he observed, gently. MT. Hendry was such a fine man, .in every way =. You've known him several years, understand"
 Ten years" Bob replied. I've been in the organization that length of time
 Inspector Kennedy was watching him shreWdly. But his voice was still gentle as he asked: By the way, Miss Hendry tells me that you were to be married to MT Hendrys secre- tary Miss Barrett?"
 l3ob's face was white. T do in- tend to marry Miss Barrett" he snapped, and his lower jaw was set.
 Kennedy hesitated a moment. Then: Suppose we discuss the case privately" he suggested We can go up to MT. Hendry's room
 Bob followed him up the stairs without word. Sybil looked after them little fearfully. She would have preferred being included in this discussion. She wanted to caution Kennedy not to reveal where he had got his informa- tion on San Francisco.
 The two men went into the small library adjoining MT. Hendry's bedroom and Kennedy shut the door behind them. He sat down, motioning Bob to seat.
 MT. Andrews, he said, still kindly, T know how you feel - Miss Hendry has doubtless dis cussed the case with you - but I don't want you to get the impress sion that the police are deliber- ately trying to wrong you - or Miss Barrett"
 T think you're making a pretty big mistake ."
 Believe me, we're trying not to- We have made no accusations"
 Bob looked up suddenly. Miss Hendry intimated-" he began.
 That we had accused Miss Bar rett?" Kennedy finished for him. Miss Hendry has misinformed you. That is her own Supposition, not ours. In the first place, the affair does not seem the work of a girl. MT Hendry was a power ful man; he could have resisted any normal attempt on his life. We are concerned, however, over the fact that Miss Barrett has disap- peared. Do you know of any req son why she should have run away?"
 Bob shook his head. T can't un- derstand it." he said duly.
 You knew of her - her back ground?"
 No. I know nothing other than what Miss Hendry just told me. I don't believe her story"
 We're waiting for absolute proof now" said Kennedy, making no eff fort to convince him. However, that 1,oo hiy,n tn l vr,itI tEo ,>roco,1t