The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-04
CHAPTER XXVI

one walked across town 10 the Grand Central Station. If she lin gered ill the bus terminal too long she might attract attention. She bought newspaper and turned i'm mediately to the classified columns
 One after one she read the ad- vertisements of rooms to rent. She checked of only those which spe- officially quoted the price.
 At ten o'clock, she visited the first one on her list. It was in an untidy house on a poor side street and it looked out over dreary vista of roof tops. Mrs. Griggs, the land- lady, showed her the room. Here might be refuge. at least until she had thought this whole terrible thing through, and planned her next move. Without moments hesitation, Joan handed Mrs. Griggs six dollars for the first weeks rent.
 Before noon on Friday, Sybil drove out to the airport to meet Bob. She had wired him only of the sudden death of her uncle, sparing the details, and begging him to re- turn at once. In reply, he promised to take the first available plane
 SybilS eyes were red with weep ing as she greeted him.
 What happened, Sybil?" Bob asked her in horror stricken tones He was so perfectly well when l left"
 She shook her head sorrowfully. "I'll explain in the car. Do you mind driving, Bob? I'm so terribly upset"
 of course"
 He helped her gently into the car, tucked the robe about her feet. AS he walked around and got into the seat beside her, she wiped away the last traces of her tears.
 Tt was a heart attack, I sup pose?" he asked, once they were under way"
 NO. Nothing like that Oh, Bob, my dear" Her tears burst forth afresh and her voice was slightly hysterical. How can I ever tell you?"
 "Tell me what, Sybil?" His tone was anxious. What did happen to him?"
 Uncle John-was murdered"
 Murdered! My God, sybil, you can't mean it!"
 He pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car, too shocked, for the moment, to drive farther.
 You don't mean it, Sybil!" he protested, searching her face for denial.
 Its true, Bob. I can't believe it myself. But there's no doubt"
 "Who did it? When did it hap pen? Where?
 Briefly she explained how she had come to find the body.
 T couldn't sleep, Bob" she em- phasized, thinking of Uncle John all alone in the house with that money"
 Bob started. "The money! I'd completely forgotten it. Whoever did this" He broke off abruptly.
 That's what the police believe" :" Sybil agreed. Someone who knew about the money"
 But that's impossible, Sybil," he protested. Nobody knew about it except Joan and I-by the way, how is Joan?"
 Sybil sighed. This was not the moment to tell him-not yet. She must lead up to it slowly, with in- finite patience. Above all, he must believe that he wrung the truth from her, against her will.
 T haven't seen her this morn ing" she replied, evasively.
 '"The poor grill" he exclaimed. T know she's as broken up about this as you are"
 Sybil broke into fresh, violent sobs. Bob corrected himself quickly.
 Forgive me, Sybil," he pleaded. T didn't mean to put it that way. He was your uncle. He meant everything to you, know. But Joan and I both loved him so dearly"
 Sybils sobs persisted.
 Bob waited a few moments in awkward silence until she composed herself.
 "Who did it?" he demanded then. Haven't the police any idea?"
 Sybil did not answer immediately.