The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-11-13
THE LADY is
RECKLESS
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ry ROB EDEN

snough to recover the hidden box.
Il looked as If there might be
4 chance. Nine was out, she prob
ably would go shopping after
luncheon, Louise had told her when
she asked
Mrs. Fenwick, the maid also had
informed her, was driving to the
Country club later in the after
noon-a committee meeting Of
some sort.
That would clear the second
floor, as she knew that Mr.. Fem
wick was downtown and could Do
expected TO stay there till five or
later.
1t was entirely possible that she
could have few minutes to her.
self without anyone seeing her.
That's all she needed, not more
than two minutes, she decided.
In her mind she rehearsed the
moves she would make, and she
was confident that it would be
smooth sailing. The only possible
hitch would be If Louise happened
to be on the second floor.
Takes Nap
She doubted that, as the maid
had said she was sleepy and in
tended taking a nap as soon as
Mrs. Fenwick left the house.
That would leave only Annie and
Chatfield. Annie, she knew, al-<
ways spent the afternoon in her
room, and Chatfield might be ex-
pected to remain downstairs to an
swer the phones and the door in
case there should be any callers.
Jill smiled to herself at the way
things were working out. In half
an hour, the coast would be clear.
she'd get her hands on the box,
and somehow she'd find a way to
slip out through the gate.
Short Walk
If Dougald were around. she'd
tell him she was going for short
walk in the neighborhood
If only Prince was on guard at
the back gate, she was certain he
wouldn't modest her. Not now that
she'd made friends with him and
been accepted by all the dogs as a
member of the household.
Once outside the gate, she'd
hurry to the busline and down.
town, the precious box in her
arms At the hotel, she'd open it
and then decide what to do.
Shed not even bother about her
clothes in her room.
There was nothing of any par
ticular value there, nothing she
cared about, and it would arouse
too much comment if she attempt
ed to walk out of the place with
a suit case in her hand.
She was just turning back to-
ward the house, impatient for the
time to fly swiftly by so she could
put her plan into operation, when
she heard a slight commotion at
the front gate.
Through the trees and shrubs
she could see the gates swinging
open and car driving in and her
hopes fell like a rock dropped into
pond.
Smaller Car
The small car swept past her,
and she saw a thin faced man at
the wheel.
He stopped under the porte
cochere and she saw him unlimber
his long legs from under the wheel.
grab up a brief case and let him.
self into the side door with a key.
Whoever he was, he certainly
was familiar with the house AMI a
privileged person. The gate mad
swung open for him without uues-
ton, and he had a key to the
house.
Then she knew who he must be,
although he hadn't been at the
house since she had come. he must
be Joseph Rothbury, Mr.. Fem
wick's secretary.
Various Persons
Mary had mentioned him casu-
ally In naming the various persons
who lived in the house or had the
run of the place.
1t was disheartening. having this
happen when she figured the coast.
would be entirely clear and sheS.,
would have a chance to enter Fem
wiek's rooms without interference.
Rothbury undoubtedly had come
to do some work. and in all likeli-
hood he might stay until his en-
ployer returned from the office.
Il guess it's just not meant for
me to get my hands on that box"
she told herself, discouraged. How
ever, il wouldn't hurt to wait and
see. After all. he might Just be
on an errand. She wouldn't give
up hope. yet.
She couldn't give up, now.
She settled down at the window
In the servants room. off the
Aitenen' g magazine in her hand,
eat her eyes looked over the top
OF the pages and she kept them
on the drive where she could see
everyone who came and went.
Annie had already left the
kitchen and her helper wasn't
there. either. Both, presumably,
already were on the third floor
enjoying their rest period.
Service Pantry
Cnatfaeld was in the service nam
Try polishing silver. She had Of
fered TO help him, but he ref,,sed
Thanks, Talbot" he said mt
1 always handle all the silver nv
self
Nearly an hour passed before
jill saw any movement in w.