Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1939-10-28
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'oN AMI RELEASED BY CENTRAL PRESS AcSo177 -
cuAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER If11fL L Il 1.-TWO
WHEN I-ANCY told Neal that
coral would he looking for a recon-
citation. I looked at him. His lips
,.are set in an implacable line.
"In vour presence she gave me
hack nv ring. That is enough. I'm
through"
Nv heart leaped at the words.
Free. he might, just possibly
,,ioht. look at me!
CAPTAIN Lancy was speaking
again.
SAY nothing to anyone of this
conversation. There are MANY
things to be taken into considera-
ton Just go on as you have been
doing. That is all for now"
THAT was rather a facer," Neal
said in a low tone as we left the
room. But I'm trusting the chief
and Captain Lancy. They don't
want a scapegoat; they want the
murderer. Oh, Captain Lancy," as
the detective came up behind us,
"jo YOU mind if l take Tinker and
90 for walk on the moors? I
want to get some exercise and
think this out" he added as the
other hesitated..
Mind taking Haines with you ?"
yes, I mind" Neal replied
frankly, but want to go enough
to endure him."
Lancy looked at his watch. How
Ions do you expect to be gone ?"
Give me an hour. I can walk to
the beach and back in that time.
That's far enough"
Lancy laid his hand on Meals
shoulder. 60 then. I'm trusting
you to be back in an hour"
without Haines ?" Meals voice
held a joyous, incredulous note.
The detective nodded.
Meals hand shot out to rest with
4 grip which turned his nails white
on Lancy's arm. Then you don't
think L" He could not finish what
he started to say.
He might be almost through his
lnternship, lentitled to write the
letters NJ. D. after his name. but
he was still young enough to be
unable to suppress all his emo
tons That thought flashed through
my mind as [ stood listening, held
by Josie's arm linked in mine.
Slowly Lancy shook his head.
mo, I don't" he said frankly.
You don't size up that way to
me"
Thank God!" The words were a
prayer. You'll never know what
that means to me-"
Il can guess" smiled the other.
Have your walk and We'll talk
again later"
Under my eyes, Neal seemed to
grow an added inch or two in
height as he went out the door.
"Oh, Sally!" Josie's eyes shone
like twin stars. He doesn't believe
Neal She couldn't finish any
more than Neal was able to.
only fool would believe that"
1 snapped. L had to snap or bawl.
She squeezed my arm tightly as
we walked on into the lounge,
where we found Alan Murray
waiting. He had called every day
since the murder, and I felt that
his presence helped Josie as much
as anything could to get through
those awful days. I did not give
her an opportunity to ask me to
stay, but slipped away to our
room.
From the window there, I could
see Meals figure, accompanied by
the giant dog, striding toward the
moor as though he possessed the
famed seven league boots. For
long time I watched him growing
smaller and smaller in the distance.
l longed to be marching by his
side, but the very fact that he was
free from Corals tolls was suffi-
Gent to send my blood pressure
into high.
Dinner that night was a more
nearly normal meal than any since
Mrs. Peake's death. Coral was as
sweet as syrup to Josie and Neal,
and l was convinced that Captain
Lancy was right. She was merely
waiting for an opportunity to re-
sumo her sway as queen of Meals
heart. But Neal, while courteous in
ms manner, was as impersonal asi
though he had met her that day for
the first time. 90
Mrs. Rutherford was not yet able
10 come to the dining room for her
meals, but DR.. Paul and Pauline