The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-25
CHAPTER

In the paper which contained tht
story of the death Of Clarabel
Alderman and the possible explain
alton that the two death bullets
had been intended for another, ont
statement stood out in terrifying
clarity to Linda.
It stated that the charwomal
who cleaned the Bagley offices
was the wife of the night watch
man. John Parrish, who had beer
on duty. But that vas not all.
Joe, the elevator operator, ex'
planned that he, had brought Mr.
Parrish upstairs, but he had MOI
taken him downstairs. How, tnen
had he avoided the elevator? Why
was the relationship between the
two elderly Parishes a secret
even to those who employed them!
The story implied that the elder
ly ianitor and Waterman were to
be questioned again.
Linda let the paper fall. n
knew what that. would mean
question after question hurled at
a tired. white-haired old man who
could only shake his weary head
in denial. Only, if his wife was en-
ployed. too, Why had he not told
about that, and why had he taken
such precautions not to go down
on the elevator?
The story explained that he mad
been signed out of the book at an
hour before the coroner placed the
murder, and the writer inslnuated
that he might have come down,
signed out, then let himself be tax
en- up. secure in the knowledge that
he had given himself an hour OF
leaving in the book which would
protect him. Had he signed out IN
front of the elevator operators IN
ouisitive eyes he could not have
done that.
It was foolish, Linda decided. MIR
Parrish couldn't have done it.
But when the story of the muir
der continued to battle the police
department for three more days
and a solution seemed no nearer,
she noticed that the Parrish name
was figuring more deeply in the
case.
The musical comedy, Swing the
Chorus" where Ronald was wind
ing up his engagement, as was the
whole cast, was a sell-out. People
wanted to see him and hear him
because of his indirect connection
with the case.
Linda was aware that some of
the applicants who came to the
Bagley office merely wanted to
look at her. She was glad one aft
ernoon when Robert came in. He
looked so strong and protective and
brown against the silver and white
furnishings of the feminine realm.
Il just drove down from my
work" he said. II thought you
might be able to slip away for an
hour"
Billie Anne, she wanted to ask.
Where was she? He seemed to read
her mind.
Billie Anne sends her condol-
ences and she's flying back unex-
pectedly today"
Linda felt a swift and great re-
lief and was ashamed because she
did.
I'm winding up here soon, and
taking a South American job" he
continued. But what about the
hour? Is if too much to ask?"
His gray eyes we're serious and
Entsthomable and Linda realized
with z doHn-beat of her heart that
she did not want him to go to
South America, that she did not
want hin 10 follow the girl named
Billie Anne.
I can manage the hour, she said
and called to Hortense to look
after the switchboard.
She had worn a thin black dress
that day with a huge Peter Pan
collar and a round white hat that
let her green eyes look at life I'M
shadoWed.
Shall we driver" Robert asked.
Or do you want music and tea?"
Lets drive" she answered
Would you take me to the Par
rishes? I have the address. It's in
The Bronx, just as the Alderman
Bella ~LANAN-COURT RI
En11nIaI o. ALL.