The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-08-26

self by telling him, If that launch really had anything to do with the murder, I should say that Jaspar would have been too smart to stick his neck out that way if he really murdered my cousin"
 T wonder"-again he seemed to change the subject; but Christine waited warily-"if you were too young to recall the abduction of Mrs. Talbert's nephew, Earl Talbert, about 12 years ago. Whoever en- gineered that was pretty smart, too. Mrs. Talbert paid a sweet ransom; but the boy was never found"
 T was 10 years old then" Chris tine said. Are you suggesting that I had something to do with that, too?"
 He ignored that.
 This Jaspar was employed by Mrs. Talbert at that time, also, wasn't hec"
 Ever since can remember"
 Gan you think" he demanded, "of anyone who might have sent that will to the newspaper?"
 Not unless that was Jaspar, too. But why should he? It puts him on a spot as well as me-"
 Any idea where this Jaspar is now?" he shot at her.
 "No."
 When, at length, he let her go, Christine went out with. her mind whirling. If there were only someone she could talk to-some one who might have some key to this terrifying puzzlel
 AS if in answer to her need, a girls voice sounded in her mem ory-breathless, hurried, fright ened-"if there's any trouble, Miss Thorenson, call Main 2079. Ask for"
 On @ desperate impulse Chris tine found telephone booth, dialed the number, and asked for Lucille. It would be better not to give her own name, she decided; so when 8 girls voice answered, she began, feeling her way guardedly, T wonder if 1t was you I talked to over the Beachmont exchange night before last? was to call you, if-"
 "Oh, Miss Thorenson, I've been so afraid you wouldn't!" the other girl broke in. And I couldn't think how to get word to you after you left the Crestview."
 Well, I'm calling now" Christine said. "Where can I see you?"
 Let me think" the girl hesi- tated. "It wouldn't do for you to come here. They may be watching the house."
 They? Christine wondered.
 The girl was going on, And I'd better not come to your hotel"
 Not if you don't like being watched" Christine told her dryly. Half the newspaper men in Surf City are probably camped on the porch by this time"
 Could you meet me about g. 1t will be dark then-outside the Paris Smart Shop?"
 How should I know you?"
 "I,ll be window shopping; and I'll wear a dark blue dress with cherry hat and belt. I'll know you from your pictures in the paper. Don't speak to me; just follow-you know, kind of carelessly-when I move on."
 It sounded so incredibly bizarre that Christine opened her mouth to refuse. Then, on one of her un- practicable impulses, she decided, "All right. At 8 then"
 "Wait!" the girl called sharply. "You won't-say anything to the police?"
 Of course not" Christine reck- lessly burned her bridges.
 When she came out from the booth, she bought a newspaper. There was, she decided after one glance at the front page, such a thing as being entirely too photo- genie. As the girl Lucille had inti- mated, there could be no mistaking the original of her published pie lures. Already people were staring at her. She spent four of her cher- ished dollars for 8 wide-brimmed hat and pair of sun-glasses.
 It was already 10:3O when she remembered that she was to meet MT. Wilmet at that hour.
 Christine's confidence in her sketchily assembled disguise was strengthened when MT. Wilmet, peering anxiously from the drug store, failed to recognize her until she spoke to him.
 Well well!" he exclaimed, blinking at her. You've done something to yourself. And smart idea, too. One of those impertinent reporters followed me two blocks trying to get an interview"
 Nevertheless, 1t occurred to Chris tine that the little mans sudden notoriety had pleasantly affiliated his ego.
 He seemed so disappointed when she explained about giving up her work-for she had decided that to go on would be impossible unless she wanted to be bounded by curi- osity seekers-that Christine felt sorry for him. So much so that when he asked her almost wistfully to have dinner with him, she an- swered, T have an engagement to meet a friend at g; but I'd like ever so much to have dinner with