Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-11-29
CHAPTER II

VI Tile lire DuC IL was Green
Armand Green! :" Jean
wrenched the receiver from her, with
a: "Hush!" and then, to Armand:
"Don't discuss it over the telehone!'
She hung up.
"Why did you cut us OFF," Gaby
angrily asked.
Because the exchange girl who
put his call through may be the same
one who asked if you were Madame
Blanchard! And if so, she's recog-
nized your voice! She'll think you're
the girl who ran from the burning
shack!"
"You mean-they'll think it is
because I have love affair with Ar
mand, and also they will say that
am stool pigeon of a wicked man
who has escape from jail?" Gaby's
voice rose in piteous confusion as she
added: "The police may come here
looking for Madame Armand Blan-
chard! Jean, they must not find me!
I must leave immediately"
Jean thought fast. Gaby had CIV
en- herself away completely with her
last statements. But she felt it was
up to her to safeguard Gaby.
"I'll call up mother in Palm Beach
right away. She's staying with old
friends in big, secluded house. I'll
say you've had touch of flu, Gaby,
and need warmer air, and that I've
just put you on a plane to join her"
She did so.
"Now just one more promise,
Gaby. I'm getting you out Of any
trouble about being in Armand's cab
in the day of the fire. In return,
you'll promise me that never as long
as you live will you touch narcotics
again."
~ swear it, cherie." Tears glis-
tened in the black eyes as Gaby CRATE
fully kissed her half-sister. She add
ed naively: 81 have put back in your
closet your new wine suit. I borrow
ed it yesterday to visit Armand, with
your little burgundy hat like stove
pipe. And you will get in touch with
Armand at the sanitarium, and say
I have gone away for little time :?
You will let him know that it is the
fear Of the other that makes me leave
town discreetly, because the tele-
phone may have ears, as you say?"
Jean promised she would attend to
all that. Her heart rejoiced that there
had been no mention Of Walter from
Gaby
But it was in mood full Of fore
boding that Jean returned from see
ing her half-sister off for the South,
that morning.
The man Green, of course, never
would attempt to come here. But
what relief it would be if she could
make a clean breast of it all to
Rupert!
But it was up to Laurel, her mother
to do that. Deception had been prac-
tically forced on Jean, and the web
was tightening. She had no one to
confide in. 1t was almost more than
she could bear. Independent as she
was, she realized how she needed a
strong shoulder to lean on. The prac-
tical advice Of an experienced some
one.
Walter?
Was it telepathy that message
was waiting for her on her return?
"Mr. Mallory phoned, Miss Garrett
Will you please call him?" Treves
told her. Her vexed heart lifted.
you're sure that it's me you want
and not Gaby?" She managed that
her voice had an arch, challenging
gaiety over the wire. Before he
could reply, she added: "Gaby went
south this morning to join mother
Walter, it seemed, was going to
take long drive into the country to
visit client. Over in New Jersey
It was beautiful day, and the two.
way trip would take most of it. He
craved an amusing companion. Woult
Jean accompany him?
II can pick you up in twenty min
utes," he told her.
Apart from her utter joy in pass
ing hours with Walter, it meant
avoiding - at least temporarily -
further explanations with her step
father as to last night. Escaping
possible inquiries at the house as Il
the identity of Madame Armand
Blanchard" which Gaby had feared
Though they couldn't really trace
her here" Jean assured herself al
she got into Walters long, low-swunt
car and they shot over to Riverside
Drive, and up to the Washington
Bridge.
To-, kb;o ouo dow cho'd Y1tIt Gahy