Evening star., 1941-07-18

puzzled.
He said: you're eXaggerating
surely. Stephanie couldn't have al
most tainted"
And Helen smiled wise smile and
replied: She went white. Phil. and
her breath caught in her throat
She had to sit down She couldn't
take it standing"
Well, perhaps she knows Stacey
Van Arden"
She SAYS not"
"You have an army mind. Helen.
he said. You're beginning to see
spies. You're linking Stephanie with
Van Arden and Private Veretti-
and that's absurd
"Of course it's absurd" Helen said
Lets forget it"
He might have forgotten it. if the
matter had ended there But it
didn't end; it went on and on. And
the vague pattern Phil had seen
started that morning took clearer,
If more tangled, form. Stacey Van
Arden came to the post late that
afternoon.
I've been worrying about that in
eident this morning he said. Il
want TO straighten i out. Since it
was my fault wholly, I don't want
to see that soldier punished
Seeks to Drop Case.
You're sure you don't want to
bring charges against Veretu?2
quite sure"
well, You'll have to discuss the
matter with the officer of the day.
1t. Hughes. III take YOU to him.
Van Arden explained to the o. D,
that he had picked a quarrel with
Veretti needleSSly and deliberately.
and that Veretti had merely re-
acted as any man might.
THE only difference was" he
said "VeRtti used a bayonet instead
Of his fists. But no damage was
done"
so YOU wish to drop the mat
ter?" Hughes asked.
Exactly"
"Verv we'll Mr. Van Arden. I'll
report this conversation to the C O..
and that will probably be the end
Of IL"
Van Arden said thank YOU. He
turned to Phil Howard and invited
him to visit aboard the Van Arden
Yacht at Seaberth. then he left TO
join Capt McRugh.
1t. Hughes gave Phil Howard a
puzzled look He was keen sort,
and he showed that he had his sus-
picions.
What Is all this?" he asked.
VI wish I knew" said Phil. Van
Arden lied like a rookie after
A. w. Q. L. 7 think the old man
should know about this
"T1l report to him now" Hughes
said, and he rose and left the room.
Reports Jim Recovering.
Hughes returned, and he said
Mai. Hammond's orders are to
keep Veretti locked up until tomor-
row. He's going to have a talk
with him"
He won't learn thing" Phil
said. This Veretti is one man who
is tougher than Mustang Hammond
NY idea is Veretti's record should
be checked. The man has homicidal
tendencies"
Phil left headquarters and started
for the hospital but he met Mai.
Brennan on his way home and
turned back with him.
Jim Mason is all right" the
medical officer said. mo need wor-
rying about him. He needs rest
and I've given orders that no one
is to see him until tomorrow"
you're giving it TO me straight
Doc?"
Straight from the shoulder
There's no need TO make a fuss
about a sore back. Me. I'm not con-
rerned In fact. I think III do a
little fishing before it gets dark.
How about lending me Your boat?"
Whats mine is yours, Doc
Big hearted Phil Brennan
grirned, Pal. this post will be an
ugly dose without you and YOUR
money. Helen raises Cain because
we all take advantage of your gen.
erosity. She won't like my using
your boat"
Tn that case. III go fishing and
invite you along
Thanks, old man. Why not invite
the ladies, and make it a four
some?"
Phil Makes Note.
They agreed to that, then went
to Mai. Brennans quarters and got
fishing tackle. Neither Mrs. Bren-
nan nor Stephanie were at the
house; they were back at the tennis
courts. Helen had been playing with
Joan Hammond. but now those Two
were in group with Stephanie.
Capt. McRugh and Stacey Van
Arden.
Van Arden looked quite hand
some in his white civvias, and it was
quite clear that he was acting his
best since there were ladies present.
At the moment, as Phil and Maj.
Brennan walked up. he was extend
ing an invitation for the group to
visit him aboard his yacht He was
making a definite thing of it.
"We'u have a party" he said.
Cocktails and dancing on deck
Phil Howard noticed little thing.
Tn a man of Van Arden's type it
was to be expected that Stephanie
would attract attention. Stephanie
looked cool and fresh and lovely in
a soft white froCk, but it was Joan
Hammond who caught Van Arden's
eye
Joan certainly wasn't looking her
best. She was flushed and tousled
and still a little breathless from
exertion. Her play clothes were un-
attractively plain, detracting from
any charm she possessed. Yet Van
Arden watched her, and he spoke
to her even while addressing the
group as whole. That was obvious
to Phil Howard.
You will come, won't you?" said
Van Arden
We'll, perhaps" Joan said. Yes,
I shall-if the others wish to-
Good Well have a lot of fun. "
Van Arden smiled directly at her
Lets make it tomorrow night"