The Key West citizen., 1940-09-17
Chapter 26
Spot Of Detecting

OBOs IA
VOU send these right to the
L magazine" she said curious
ly. Il thought writer's had agents
to handle things for them"
Good agents don't care to be
bothered with pulp stories-there
isn't enough money in them"
You've sent these people other
things? They know who you
are?"
"Oh yes. I sell them a story ev-
cry month or So"
What becomes of it if they
don't take it?"
81 enclose return postage and
they send it back. So then try
someone else"
How long before they send it
back mean, if they don't buy
it?"
Couple of weeks, more or
less"
script?"
Sometimes, suppose. I've
never had one lost. But / keep a
copy, just in case"
People are always asking ques-
tions like that, but maybe l would
have begun to wonder why she
pursued the subject so relentless
1y if we hadn't reached the post
office just then. She stamped her
two envelopes and stuck them in
the chute without a second
glance, but / was vaguely con-
sciouS that she kept her gaze
riveted on the manila envelope
while inserted return postage,
affixed the outer stamps and
sealed the envelope.
It's easy to look back now and
say that | was stupid, that I
should have known something
was up. But what? What possible
connection with the mystery
could / assign to Sandra'S volun-
tary assistance? She was impoS-
ing on me to the extent of asking
to share my room at night. This,
/ thought. was her gesture of re-
payment.
That was a break for me-" I
said as | turned Adams car once
more toward home. How much
would you charge to take the job
on permanently"
I'll be glad to help you while
you're here" she said seriously.
"But l couldn't take any pay"
Il was only joking. l can't af-
ford a secretary-wouldn't know
what to do with one. When l
graduate to the slicks I'll send for
you. You're good"
'I've had experience Il paid
my way through dramatic school
as secretary to the head"
"Oh. l thought you had an in
come"
mot enough. would have had
to break into my capital, and /
have better uses for that"
She was abruptly silent then,
in a way that discouraged pur-
suit of the subject, so l changed
il TO a recital of the plans the
Pennants were making. That
seemed a matter of complete in
difference to her, but she listened
politely. said vaguely, Whatever
they want to do"
She went off to her rooms to
dress for dinner as soon as we
reached the club.
Gerald Beaufort was sprawled
asleep on my studio couch. l
stared down at him in eXaSpera-
tion. Was my room turning into
a public lounge? | reached down
and shook him. He sat up with a
muffled snort.
"A Commission
Il SAY, do you have to be so
L rough?"
eff the bed in your room isn't
comfortable can easily have this
one moved there for you" said
politely.
He grinned. Maiden lady in
defense of her modest couch.
Frightfully sorry and all that. l
came here in great dignity to pay
my respects-your own fault for
being out. / say, don't tell me I
was Snoring?"
''RaucouSly. / heard you clear
out in the street"
ITS the weather" :" he said sol
emnly. THE heat. Never happens
in the winter"
why not?"
always wear a muffier."
I groaned. Il never thought I'd
encounter a form of humor lower
than my ownl Now how would
you like to run along and let me
get ready for dinner?"
Il knew there was some reason
for my being herei You're having
dinner with me you and Julia
Pennant. Now don't say no-she
said she would if you would. I
quite realize I'm a dangerous sort
Of fellow for a maiden to be ex-
posed 10 alone. hardly know my
own charm. But the point IS, this
is not a strictly social formation.
] have a commission from the
great Adam Drew himself"
"a commiSSion?"
mo less. Now don't ask ques-
tons - youth know all in good
time. We three. you and Julia and
], are going to do spot of detect
ing. And that is definitely my last