Glacier County chief., 1939-04-14

make a call on the telephone. 1t would
be very easy for you to pull the con-
nections out"
DR.. Meyer smiled as his hands went
over her body, meticulouSly searching
her. The wire is already cut. My as
sistant out there in the car has been
taking care Of your calls all day. 1t
is very elementary matter to cut and
plug in on line"
He searched her shoes, her hair and
ruthlessly probed her thin clothes.
ly. What do you think I could hide
on me? lists absurd"
Nothing is absurd in my profession"
said the stranger shortly. He went
out to the kitchen then and left her
She heard him find his way into Johns
laboratory.
Billyboys crying subsidized into tired
fretful little whimper. Gwynne shut her
mind to its merchandising persis-
tence and concentrated on the faint
sounds of the intruder's movements
with all her might. There was no in
dication that he had found Johns
cleverly hidden safe. After long time.
the deliberate unhurried footsteps
came down the passage and went up
the stairs. She heard the methodical
determined search going on overhead.
The baby's whimpering ceased as he
reluctantly succumbed to sleep. Now
the kitchen was quiet except for Johns
hard unnatural breathing. Gwynne
heard the alien feet descend the stairs
and the stranger stood in the doorway.
lie said. And now. Mrs. Brunius, you
must tell me where your husband keeps
his records"
His records?"
Precisely. The records of his work"
Gwynne looked at him with wide
eyed innocence. Maybe he does keep
records. But if he does. I wouldn't
know"
advanced toward her and sat on the
edge of the table. His eyes were cold
gray glass unwarmed by his unpleas-
ant smile. Il think you know very we'll,
Mrs. Brunius. We have been getting on
eXcellently, so far. Suppose you avoid
any unpleasantneSs by telling me right
away"
He doesn't talk to me about his
work." persisted Gwynne. II don't I'M
derstand 1t, you see: can come and
but can't tell you anything -"
There was an ominouS silence. The
cold eyes glanced at the limp body of
John Brunius stretched on the settee
and then rested on the baby sleeping
1
wouldn't care to kill a child-not that
have any sentiments towards chill
dren-but if it would make you talk
I might go so far as to start him out
in life with a little disability-say a
twisted limb"
Gwynne cried out sharply. I'll tell
youth tell you all I know. There's
a hidden safe. Under the tiles below
the laboratory sink. 1t has combina-
ton lock-"
The combination please?" he in
quired in tone that indicated she
had better know it. Gwynne gave it to
him.
He departed and returned shortly,
his hands full of notebooks, phials,
small boxes and odd scraps of paper.
He opened his medical looking black
bag and stuffed the labor OF John
Brunius inside. He took up his over
coat and struggled into it. You're a
very sensible girl, Mrs. Brunius. Such
dry activities are not worth one thought
of a pretty woman's head"
1--WE always thought so.' she said
Unexpectedly. But anyhow you haven't
got everything"
mop" He stood looking at her. dis
tinguished, tall, beautifully dressed.
arrogantly handsome.
mo. He gets a lot of ideas in the
night. And he pushes the papers be-
tween his plllOWcaSe ana the pillow.
I never remove them. You will prob
ably find what you most want in the
bathroom among his shaving things or
in his bed
Her voice trembled on the edge of
hysteria Dr. Meyers expression was
by no means warm enough to be called
human. but it was tinged with inter-
ested speculation. There's something
peculiar here. Now what can it pos
sibly avail you to send me on wild
goose chase through the house? You're
not going to pretend you want me to
find all these things?"
I'm not pretending" said Gwynne
desperately. Set me free and let me
show you. want to revenge myself. I
hate the life he compels me to lead.
It's unnatural-monotono
lonely"
But he did not set her free. He
shrugged his shoulders and went up
the stairs again. She heard his foot
steps and knew he was at Johns bed
shaking out the pillows. There were a
few Of Johns characteristic memoS in
his hand when he came down.
He added the scraps he had found
to his haul in the black bag, buttoned
up his coat preparatory to leaving. But
he still fingered as If fascinated as a
cat is fascinated by the antics of a
mouse. Then I take 1t you're disap-
pointed in your role as CONSIDER and
mainstay Of scientific genius"