Evening star., 1940-06-24
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Lucy tried her very best not to
show what she was feeling as Greg
hurried out. She was aware of
Sandy Blocks sympathetic regard
But IL was no use trying to hide
IT.. She was miserable and
irlgntened over what had happened
to Uncle Luke and now-she'd lost
Greg completely. Their marriage
would be impossible after this. He'd
been horrified.
Don't worry" Sandy said gen.
tly. He'll be back. If he really
loves you. Love can stand an awful
lot You'd be surprised" He lifted
her chin and looked into her eyes.
And like he said-you still have me,
III stick no matter what happens
The most important thing now to
think OF, Is who murdered your
Uncle Luke"
Lucy wiped her eyes with her
handkerchief and walked into the
hall, Sandy following, just in time
to hear Inspector Chalmers saw to
Guy, I'D like to take a look at that
laboratory of your, If you don't
mind"
Certainly" Guy said. "And if
It's cyanide you're looking for, you'll
find some there. Also" he added
rather Unexpectedly, If you're look
ing for motives, you'll find I have
one-and a good one"
Chalmers frowned, gave Tony a
queer look, and then the three of
them, Guy, Chalmers and Tony,
went toward the laboratory.
Sandy Stands BY.
Laval was nowhere in sight, and
Bertha had taken Elizabeth upstairs
10 her room. An officer lounged on
the bench at the end of the hall by
the door.
Perhaps you'd better 20 now"
Lucy told Sandy Block. II think
he'd let you, If you asked him" She
looked up at him, like a lovely
frightened child, her blue eyes, with
their incredible lashes, wide and
innocent. her lips softly parted, her
lace framed with a halo of lipht
golden hair.
DO you want me to 90, Lucy?'
he asked.
1T isn't fair for you to-how do
we know what's going to happen
"hat may even happen to you, II
you stay?" she pointed out. Her
look faltered under his. Uncle
Merit will be back this afternoon
PROBABLY, and I won't be afraid any
longer then"
I'll stay anyway, If you don't
mind" Sandy Block said.
Lucy felt a surge of relief and
gladness. Queer that this funny
young man who had come into her
LIE so Unexpectedly should be the
one IN whom she felt confidence
and trust, the only person to whom
she could turn In this crisis. With
out knowing anything about him
really. she felt as If she had known
him always.
Sandy Startles Lucy.
Ihere was just one sman uneasi-
ness lingering somewhere in her
mind. But it was such q startling
idea that she didn't want to harbor
IL IN her mind at all. Sandy was an
lmpersonator. Supposing Uncle
Luke had been dead when he had
come out Of the study, and Sandy
mad been only impersonatinp his
voice? Hadn't Sandy's manner been
strange? She tried to remember ex-
actly how he'd behaved. Mean
while they wandered back into thu
long living room.
suddenly Sandy Block caught her
wrist and pulled her about to face
MIN. What are you thinking?" he
asked. The piercing scrutiny of his
oiue eyes disconnected her. The
sunhght from the windows struck
MS mop of red hair and made II
glow like fire. He looked verv
striking, but at the same time hon
est. She decided to tell him. "I
was wondering" she said, 'ff it
might occur to Mr. Chalmers. since
Greg mentioned your being an i'm
personator, that"
HIS fingers frightened an her wrist
IN a viselike grip. THAT your
uncle Luke was not alive when I
left his study?" Sandy said. His
nostrils quivered. A faint feeling of
coldness brushed her heart and then
was gone as he smiled at her
That's 1t, Lucy" he admitted in a
low voice. He glanced about to see
cnat no one was observing them
before continuing. Your Uncle
Luke was dead when I went into
the study"
Oh. Lucy put an icy trembling
hand to her throat. She could