The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-01-20
Mary Visits CarIa

cars oonneau.
Mary looked up, startled. She
was face to face with CARA
Marchetta. But there was nothing
disturbing about Carla. Her smile,
instead, was disarming.
"You must forgive me-" Carla
went on, "for this informal way
Of speaking TO you. I was, in fact,
on my way to your address when
I recognized you"
"But what do you want2" Mary
asked.
II want 10 talk 10 you about
something that concerns all Of US.
Won't you come with me to my
home for tear"
Mary hesitated. Fear Of Carla
held her back, but the magnetism
Of the women drew her on. After
all, she was q friend Of VIM
cents. Why should Mary be
afraid?
Before she realized she might
be involving herself, she stepped
into the limousine. But when she
saw Carla exchange q look with
her chauffeur, Mary felt she had
been hasty about accepting the
invitation.
Carla chatted amiably. II know
all about you from Vincent. What q
miracle 1t was that you're alvie after
that terrible disasterl"
The car drew up to a side en-
trance In Mayfair. The chauffeur
helped them out. The house was
far more luxurious than Mary had
expected.
"We'll 80 upstairs to the draw
ing ROOM" Carla directed. With q
smile she turned to the chauffeur.
Twill you bring us tear" To Mary
again she explained, During war
time, I've had to cut down my
staff. Felix is my man Of all
work." j,
Upstairs q fire was blazing In
the richly ornamented fireplace.
"You wanted to talk about
Vincent" Mary asked when they
were seated.
Eyes" Carla answered, II feel
he's In very grave danger"
Danger? How2 From what?"
Mary was alarmed. Fr
Carla smiled pityingly. Vincent
Is o very indiscreet young man"
she replied. For both your sakes,
! believe 1t would be better II you
I'D mt tautiPxy xxsI,a.a kka ARn,.a ~ Ia
investigation Is reopened."
But I must" Mary spoke with
spirit. II almost lost my life and
II can't. help In any way to pre-
vent other lives being lost I'm CO.
ing TO do all ! can"
A silver tray laden with o
handsome tea service was brought
In. Felix had changed his whip
cord Jacket to O starched, white
coat. '"t..
Mary saw him look at Carla
searchingly. Almost imperceptibly
he nodded his head. Then:
There's q cali for you on the
WIRE" .ts
"Wnl you excuse met" Carla
asked Mary. Felix will pour
your tea"
Mary sat before the cracking FIRE
slipping her tea. Her hands shook
and the cup slipped. splitting tea on
the rug. A fresh feeling Of alarm
had flooded her with Carla'S warn.
Ing Of Vincent's danger. Carla
Marchetta had always been able to
fill her with o sense Of foreboding.
But despite all this she found
herself relaxing. Drowsiness be-
gan to steal over her, o strange
numbing drowsiness. She tried to
fight 1t of. She wanted to stand
up. But she could not rise from
her chair.
Hours must have passed. It was
dark. Mary woke from O heavy,
dreainless sleep. Where was she?
She had no way to guess.
With the sharpening Of senses
that danger brings, Mary strained
her ears. What she heard was so
shocking, I'm unbelievable, she was
fully awake at oncel Carla's
voice, high pitched and command
ing. Felix's lower tones. Some
thing about q ship. Mary held her
breath.
She must get away on the In
slant.
outside her room were sounds