Evening star., 1938-09-11

of our neighbors - the girl seemed anxious.
Il simply must get back, VAL" the girl
said. Mother will be in bed, but Senior
sometimes stays up late and he'll be furious.
Yes, III wait till the end of this act, but then
must co.
why hurry?" Val replied. This place goes
on until daylight and we can get breakfast
here"
Il lam tired and must 60"
But you don't even know the way!'
"A taxi driver can find it if you don't want
to drive me-"
Taxi drivers in this town are not to be
trusted Teddy Coburn's daughter would
fetch big ransom
Only by the slightest inclination of the head
in my direction did recognize the fact that
Trevvy, also, could overhear this converse
ton. The noise of the finale of the number
drowned the rest of it, but when the floor was
clear and lights went up again for dancing:
"Oblige me" Trevvy whispered, by draw
ing this bghter into conversation If you
can"
He stood up. moved across. and bowed to
the pair at the next table. His bow belongs
to Regency days. MY dear Miss Coburn,"
he said, Il am delighted that you recognized
me. Your father will be glad have found
you l am Major De Treville. May have the
pleasure of this dance?"
The girl was on her feet in trice her eager
ness undisguised. My astonishment was un-
bounded; for Trevvy is not dancing man.
However, as they went off, recalling his in
7 10~
His features were unpleasantly disturbed.
He had stood up as the girl left the table, and
now hands thrust in trouser pockets, he was
staring after the dancers as they moved
around the floor. with an expression in his
dark eyes not far short of murderous.
found myself unable for some time to
attract his attention; but finally:
1--WE seem to be odd men out remarked.
Won't you have cigarette?"
Thank you - nor
He favored me with glance as he spoke
the words which Trevvy would have described
as septic. But although in way he deserved
some sympathy those fragments of converse
ton which had overheard, the possessive
arrogance of his manner, had disposed me to
regard him as very bad bounder.
So that when, pulling out his own case, he
proceeded to select and light a cigarette with
out again glancing in my direction, the last
shadow of sympathy disappeared. His gaze
never left the dancers: and in consequence he
failed to notice the fact that slip of paper had
fallen from the case as. viciously, he had
snatched cigarette. 1t lay now close to my
feet
Pointedly turning his back upon me, he
dropped into his chair still watching De
Treville and his graceful partner. Then,
springing up again. he treated me to homi-
cidal glare, and walking around behind the
tables, disappeared in the direction of the exit.
| considered the ethics of the situation
for some time before decided to pick up the
paper. 1t appeared to be sheet torn out from
a small notebook, and the large, plain, pen
cilled writing which it contained was so
curiously egible that could not fail to read it.
Penetration of area over eighty feet re-
mains twelve feet deep. No progress since
last report Fresh supplies must be re-
ceived Immediately. c~,
When presently De Treville and the girl
returned, learned that she was called Paddy.
She had fresh ingenuousness SO rarely met
with nowadays that l was not surprised to
find that she passed great part of her time
in her parents country home - the back