Evening star., 1941-04-18

pen.
She crept to the door and looked
into the living room without NOV
ing the door even the fraction of
an inch. At first she could see
nothing but the vague outlines of
familiar chairs and tables. Then,
as her eyes grew accustomed to the
darkness she saw shadow move
Motionless she waited From the
shadows on the lar side of the
room the tall muff1ed figure of a
man passed swiftly toward the door
leading to the outside corridor. In
an instant he was gone.
1t all happened so quickly Crystal
was not sure she had not created
him out of her overwrought imagi-
nation. Several minutes passed in
paralyzing fear, then she flung the
door open and walked into the room.
On the small light rug in front of
the outside door was a muddy foot
print. She went Immediately to the
bedroom telephone and took the re-
ceiver off its hook.
Everything was quiet. No sound
anywhere. Would the signal work?
Five minutes she waited, then the
telephone in the living room startled
her tangled nerves with its ringing.
Marks low, tense voice came over
the wire.
Has he gomez"
"YeS."
Good. Don't touch anything in
the living room. I'm coming right
up"
A few minutes later Crystal let
him into the living room. You're
sure you haven't touched anything
in this room-it's just as he left it?"
His voice shook with excitement.
Crystal nodded. "Only the tele-
phone"
Mark had on his overcoat. Out
OF one of his pockets he drew
cloth bag, then he put on his gloves.
Gong to the table where the ther-
mos bottle stood he said quietly:
will you just step into the bed
room, fix the door as it was when
you first heard sound in here and
then listen"
Crystal walked quickly into the
bedroom. Again she heard the same
metallic crack of sound-glass strik-
ing metal.
Yes, That's the sound heard"
she called out. What is it?"
Just this" A glass slipped from
his gloved hand to the metal tray
which held the thermos bottle.
Gloves are clumsy. He was in
hurry"
Without further comment he
placed the bottle, tray and glass
IN the cloth bag and started for
the door.
Better get another setup of this
thermos outfit from the waiter" he
called back from the doorway. III
return this later"
AS Crystal went over to open the
door for him he said, II can't wait
to tell you about it now. Crystal. but
that was a close shaveI Don't say
anything about this yet to Sandra.
The captain and I'll have luncheon
with you girls-we'u explain then"
Noiselessly he disappeared down
the dark corridor.
At 10 that morning Oliver Walker
telephoned Sandra. Greatly sur
priSed that he was in town, Sandra
finally reluctantly consented to see
him, saying that her time was lim-
tied as she had an early luncheon
date. Almost as soon as she hung
up the receiver the telephone rang
again and Mark asked her if Walker
had just phoned. She told him he
was coming right up.
Fine" Mark exclaimed. But
don't make any luncheon dates.
You and Crystal are lunching with
me-"
That mans getting psychic"
Sandra laughed, but Crystal was
silent, feeling a growing tension in
the air. She knew their telephone
was tapped and that Mark and the
captain were evidently checking
every call that came through
Within so minutes DR.. Walker ar
rived. He seemed embarrassed and
i'll at ease and both girls were Won
dering why he wanted to see Sandra
when the door quietly opened and
Mark stepped into the room. Capt.
Jones, followed by two men in uni
form, walked heavily behind him.
The men stood around the room in
silence while the captain said to
Sandra:
You must forgive this intrusion,
Mrs. Starr. Our call is not for you
but for DR.. Walker" He walked
quickly over to the doctor and,
laying hand on his arm, said
brusquely: Come with me-"
I'll do nothing of the kind" the
man burst out angrily. He looked
white and shaken but stood his
ground. This is outrageousl"
Mark moved nearer him. Don't
make trouble, Walker -" he be-
gan, but Walker instantly swung on
him, then dropped back quickly as
two men stepped between him and
Mark. After that it was a matter
of seconds. Walker backed to the
window facing the park. a revolver
flashing in his hand. The captain
and Mark sprang at him and the
fight was brief. Almost before they
were aware of what was happen
ing the girls saw Capt. Jones slip
a pair Of handouts on the doctors
wrists. Mark handed his gun to one
of the officers
1t was the captain who broke an
instant's silence. His voice was low,
entirely official. DR.. Walker, you
are under arrest for the attempted
murder of Mrs. Starr"
(Copyrigtt, 1941, Chicago Daily News, Inc)