Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-08-23


ed.
"You knew that I was about to take
a party aboard?"
She flushed holly. Innately truth
full, she couldn't deny it. He mis-
understood, naturally.
"And so you and your friend Tom
my thought you'd spike it,"
Tommy didn't know about the par
ty." She was about to add: but Hell
en- Hobart did, but stopped short, not
being proof positive.
"You did, admittedly" he demand
ed.
Eyes. But" How could she tell
him about Helen, when she really did
MT know, but only suspected, the
facts? 1t would be umsporting. And
anyhow he'd only think her catty!
Jealous of Helen, as obviously he
thought she was jealous of his party.
She kept silent.
He proceeded modify: II came up
here in my car. An inspector phoned
me they'd picked up the police broad
cast away up the river. I'd given the
police the name, number and descrip-
ton of my boat when I saw that it
was gone from the pier. I'm told"
he added sharply, "they semaphored
you with lights, but you wouldn't
STOP"
Neither of us understood the sig
mails"
"Nor the sirens either, 1 suppose?"
His tone and gaze seemed to say,
wordlessly: not in the condition you
were in, naturally!
Which was unjust, for she hadn't
had one cocktail at the dance, al
though she was aware she must be
looking it.
"How's Tommy" she faltered.
Better than he deserves. What I
should give his is a darn good hiding"
came the disconcerting answer.
"Is it mean, could you take us
back to town in your carr" knowing
she had no money with her, and that
Tommy was in his usual broke con-
dition
"Sorry I can't oblige," said Wal
ter stiffly. "I'm driving in the op-
posite direction to join my party at
the Cruise Club. I sent them ahead
of me-"
An embarrassing pause. Then a
worse slap.
you'll have to take a taxi" he
said, "And may 1 suggest that you
both stop at one of the all-night
drugstores and have a stiff bromo-
seltzer?"
She managed to get into her step
fathers house by the service entrance.
The butler answered the night-bell.
She told him to go around the corner
and give six dollars to a waiting taxi
driver. He did so.
Early next morning, Jean was rous-
ed by the ringing of the phone at her
bedside. A reporter on the line!
miss Garrett, will you kindly give
us your version of what happened
last night when you Communicated
Mr.. Mallory's boat?" she was asked
Don't you dare print one syllable
about mel" She hung up.
Immediately another call. From g
second paper. And before she'd an.
initiated that one, Toinette, her amid
appeared at the door. Treves, the but
Ter, was behind her. He said apol-
ogetically: miss Garrett, the hall is
full of gentlemen from the press
Mr.. van Auken left the house early
but it seems it is you they wish to
see. l told them it is impossible
but they will not leave"
Call the police! No! Don't!" She
put her hands to her throbbing head
81 won't see anybody And don't put
any more calls through on my phone
I've got to be quiet. Pm sick"
Very good, miss"
But as the hours passed, she knew
no repose. What about dressing and
sneaking out the back way? But she
mustn't be a coward!
At noon, contrary to her instruc-
tions, the phone shrilled. Treeves'
voice: "The master is on the line"
"I'll be home in fifteen minutes
JEAN" The usually indulgent tones
frigid. II want to talk to you. If
you have any engagements, cancel
them"
Out of bed and into her demurest
clothes. Even the library where she
waited seemed to wear grim look,
Rupert van Auken carried an af-
ternoon paper in his hand. A dra-
matte photograph fairly leaped from
the front page
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