Evening star., 1940-06-27
CHAPTER K.

banker brother. that the trust fund is
sSsen. irom from his hn0s iaSorstory ps IS m'''eF'0usl'
CHAPTER x.
"Mr. Guy went out for a walk
a few minutes ago." Laval said
hoarsely at her elbow. She turned
with a gasp, then recovered herself
quickly. Laval moved so quietly!
Thank you, Laval" she whis-
pered.
She wnet to the hall closet, took
out a light coat and put 1t on,
then swung open the ponderous
front door and started out. A figure
on the steps halted her. mo ones
to leave the house, Miss" the police
man said.
"Oh,.I see." She swung the door
shut and turned to Laval. How did
Guy get out of the house?"
Perhaps she only imagined that
his face wore mocking look. II
don't know, miss. He knows lots of
tricks, Mr.. Guy" The gloomy en-
phasis of the words struck another
| chill into her heart. She found
that she was trembling as Laval
turned abruptly and went to the
back of the house.
She went slowly upstairs again, a
trapped, smothered feeling pressing
on her heavily. She was glad for
the hot milk and sedative which
Bertha brought to her as she was
about to retire. Doctors orders,
Miss Lucy" Bertha explained. Then
seeing the way Lucy hesitated with
the glass Of milk in her hand, she
snapped, "and 1t amt poisoned,
miss!' She laughed mirthlessIy as
Lucy drank the milk, but her bony
hand, Lucy noticed, was shaking as
she took back the empty glass.
Tomorrow" Lucy thought dread
fully as she began to browse off.
II tomorrow were only over!"
Even Gregg Arrives.
And the next day did prove try
ing indeed, for Inspector Chalmers
came to the Granville mansion
armed with even more questions
than he had asked the day before.
and armed also with information,
miraculously produced by Tony, con-
cerning each and every one in the
Granville family, their servants,
every one else remotely connected
with Luke Granville's murder.
Sandy Block had arrived first of
all. Laval had shown him into the
living room. where the young man
strolled back and forth absently as
he waited for Lucy to come down.
Shortly after Blocks arrival Laval
was surprised to open the door to
Greg Hanson.
1s-could I speak to Lucy" Greg
asked Laval.
Lucy at that moment came down
the sairs, expecting to see Sandy
whom Laval had told her was wait
ing. She was dressed in a thin
sheath of black, with just a touch
OF f1lmy white at the throat.
Greg strobe toward her awkwardlv.
holding out his thick white hands.
Lucy, I've come to apologize about
yesterday" His eyes shifted before
her steady look. "It was somewhat
OF shock to find out your Uncle
Luke was dead-and-and that he'd
been murdered on top of that. But
well, I thought 1t over, Lucy, and
see that it's my place to stand
by you" His voice seemed to boom
IN the great hall and to echo crazily.
TO stand by me, Gregg" Lucy said
family.
Lucy Repulses Advance.
Greg put his arms about her,
pressed her close against him and
planted moist kiss on her cheek
somewhere near her mouth. She
shlvered slightly and pushed him
away little, trying not to give way
TO the impulse to wrest herself away
from him completely.
Why Lucy, dear" he said thick
ly, what's the matter? You do for
give me, don't you?" He picked up
her hand and frowned when he saw
that she wasn't wearing his ring.
Its in my pocket" she explained.
She fumbled for it and held it out
to him.
But Lucy-you might lose it,
carrying it about in your pocket.
Here, put it on again" He slipped
1t on her finger and then with her
hand clasped in his firmly, and her
arm tucked through his, he led her
toward the living room. IT knew
I must come today, even before Mr..
Chalmers asked me to be here" he
said.
But weren't you afraid of the
reporters outsider" Lucy couldn't
resist saying.
Well" Greg said with a short
laugh, since they got my picture
on the front page anyway and
mentioned my being engaged to you,
well, we thought the damage was
already done. There wasn't any
use In being squeamish about it
now and losing" he stopped and
wet his lips.
Lucy looked up at him slowly.
"In losing what, Gregg"
TN losing you. of course, Lucy"
he said. He stopped short and
his hand on Lucy's frightened when
he saw Sandy Block standing mo-
tionless by window in the long
living room. Lucy, too, paused, and
her heart gave queer Jump as she
saw the other man and his eyes
met hers.
The others seemed to come into
the room all together then.
Chalmers Bombshell.
Chalmers waited until Guy, sui
len and glowering as usual, fol-
lowed Tony in, before he began.
Several new facts about this case
have come to light since yesterday"
he told them. ITO begin with,
$4,000 in the dead mans possess
sion, comprising the money which
he was holding in trust for Miss
Lucy and MIR. Guy here, has disap-
peared."
"Disappeared2" Guy cried. 'Dis-
appeared?" Fierce incredulity coll