Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-16

NOW, CnarleS -MatC cleared
take on like that. I've known you
pretty we'll" He put his pipe back
in his mouth and tugged at the stem
once more. IT have to ask these
questions of every one concerned"
But that's just the point, Matt, "
Charles replied. where I was to-
day doesn't concern this case at all
I was out on company business
and :"
But you went to Whipple's on
company business, too"
Unexpectedly, yes"
But was it unexpectedly" Matt
wanted to know. You see, I did
q little running around after Phil
got through with his finger-print-
ing" Matt made a wry face. "I'd
say Whipple was expecting you,
CharHk." There was a hint of gen.
tleness in his use of Charles child
hood name.
What makes you say that, Matt?"
Charity asked.
"A memo"
Charles broke in: Mildred here
can tell you that she brought the
lease with her for me to get II
signed this evening"" Charles turned
eagerly to Mildred, but the remem-
bering look in her cinnamon eyes
was not reassuring. Every one
seemed to be waiting for her to
speak.
svTvbot,e tr,,a NJ D;arsop Az
bring the lease here, and Charles
seemed surprised when I told him
what Mr.. Peters wanted"
Seemed" Charles incredulity
was sincere. II was surprised"
A Mixup Develops.
Mildred turned bafned, panied
eyes from Charles face to Char!ty's
to Mats. She could have bitten
her tongue out for revealing SC
sharply to Mats shrewd ear any
hint Of doubt of Charles. The faces
were so different-Charles', puzzled
and amazed; Charity's, preoccupied
and aloof; Mats, watchful but
kind.
1t appeared to Mildred that hi
was the only one there who took
her seriously, and she wished with
all her heart that he didn't. He
wouldn't be on Charles side Il
Charles had anything to hide. Anc
she would be, no matter what it was
"It's only that Mr.. Peters said
Charles forgot the lease when hi
asked me to bring it over here,
she finished in a swift rush oil
words.
You still say Whipple and
you didn't have an appointment
Charles?"
Eyes, Matt, I do. II you really
understood our ONCE" he went on
you'd see how Mildred could be
right and how I could be telling the
truth, too"
Matt knocked the ashes from his
pipe into q blue bowl on the lamp
table at his elbow. well, I'll be
getting along. I'm going to cal
young Timothy Wayne into this. Al
the district attorney, he should take
charge, and I'm going to get him
tonight"
As Matt raised himself from hi.
chair, Charity spoke for the second
time. What did you learn about
Whipple, Matt, when you examined
his desk2"
Nothing much in the hurried looi
gave things. He has pounds o.
correspondence thatll take a lone
time to 60 through. II any of yor
think of anything, Just let met know
III probably be back, though" HI
numbered toward the door to the
porch and in the doorway turned
back. "And Charlie, II were yol
I'd decide to forget my professions
reticense and tell where I was to.
day. Other questioners may not bt
as friendly as am"
Mildred Is Sorry.
Dhen the screen door had slam
med, Mildred leaned forward and
put an impulsive hand on Charles
arm. I'm sorry, Charles; I didn't
mean to make trouble for you; I just
spoke before I thought"
Charles patted her arm perfume.
torily. That's all right, Mildred
You just told the truth, but I did
too"
Il wonder what Matt has founC
that makes him think you were ex.
pected across the street," Chart,
crinkled her eyes and spoke mus.
ingly, as If all that had been sale
since that had not been heard BY
her.
II don't know, and I'm not goini
to worry about 1t. didn't have AM
appointment with Whipple, I didn'
kill Whipple, and I don't think I'v'
said 10 words to him except wher
he'd stop here on the porch and tall
about baseball" He brushed hi
hand through his hair impatiently
Come on, Mildred: I'll run 70,
home. Do you mind, Aunt?" Charlie
went to Charity and put his hand OF
hers.
She looked up at him, her darl
eyes intent on his handsome oper
face. "Of course not, dear. 70,
two run along and take the longes
way home to Mildred's." But he
eyes chung to his face, and the smil'
she tried to bring to her lips brok'
in forming.
Aunt Charity, you're not wor'