The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-21
Chanfer TWentY-Nine

abe realized tnat hOudIQ
had been questioned just as she
was.
His look was serious and even
silencing, though his lips smiled.
His eyes acknowledged her ques-
ton, but did nothing to help an
sWer it.
1t was a new detective who did
that. He spoke respectful to the
commissioner. We've checked on
Mr.. Stafford, sir. He was out OF
the theater for nearly 40 minutes,
during the time when his band was
off. Nobody was with him. The
place where Swing the Chorus" is
playing isn't far and he could have
made it,"
"You mean you dare to accuse
Ronald of wanting to kill me-"
Linda cried. She stood before the
burly commissioner, slim. white,
taut. "Of all the silly nonsense l
ever heard, this is the worst. Now
/ see how you get all yot convlc-
tons. You go around following in
nocent people and trap them. May
be Clarabell had some enemies.
After all, she was shot! Why don't
you look into that?'
"Sure you haven't an enemy you
haven't mentioned?" the commits
eioner persisted. Think hard"
Certainly not! l didn't put an
ad in the personal column for
friends, but I had some, anyway.
Please, may l go homer"
The detectives decided that the
people who were involved in the
case might as we'll be dismissed.
Thev had work to do, though.
There were clues to trace, furnl-
ture to tor t~ingerprints,
the dead girls family to Sc
Linda thought of them at the
door. Have they been tc'1?' she
asked.
"A mar went out to break the
word to her sister. There are just
two Of them. He hasn't come
back"
Where does her sister live?"
she asked. I'm going out, too"
Better not. It's late and the
neighbors will take care of her.
Or We'll have her taken to the
hospital if this upsets her. The sis
ter's quite a lot older, I think.
Some place a clock struck three
and the rainy night caught the
echoes and held them, as though
it would hold time at a stand-still
forever.
IF you want to 60 ou+. I'll 60
down and hail a cab for U.s." Ron
ME said. "They are hard to get at
this hour on a bad night"
A new representative had j ust
come from the police department.
He whispered something to the
chief who stopped Ronnie.
We're going to need you some
more, young man. Sorry to keep
you, but it's a matter of form"
"Then I'll wait, too" Linda an
sWered for him.
Afraid you can't. We're taking
Stafford back to headquarters right
now. Ready"
Ronnie grinned. He stopped over
and kissed Linda. Honey, 1 never
thought I'd get such publicity. It's
a lot of nsens and we'll have
the city's apologies tomorrow. See
you in the morning, or 1 may call
you when you get home and I'm
frc, from-well, free"
Still want to make that call?"
Robert asked when Ronnie had
E e.
Il have to do something. Would
you take me?"
She felt very tired. She did not
know that her face was white and
her eyes enormous and dark and
two operators were working low,
that she swayed a little in the hall
as they went toward the elevator.
due to the nights excitement.
my cars parked around the
corner" Rob said casually, and
she didn't notice the serious look
in his eyes or catch tie %undertone
of tenderness in his voice. wait
at the entrance and I'll get it. A
ride will do you good"
1t was cold at the entrance, for
the rain was coming furiously now
and the rose linen dress was not
warm. She was standing there try
ing to avert her face from a news
Bella ~LANAN-COURT RI