The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-06-13
STEPHAN IS HURT
CHAPTER xT

k1euOt DII0BlC pChOWSd aAAnbAy into the instrument. Sure 'tis Brid- get Lanahan, Miss Lovett's house. kaper sphakin'. But Miss Lov- cit is entertainin' guests at dinner, and cannot be dishturbed."
 The magnificent finality of Bridgie's tone conJured a drawing room brilliant with the socially elite of New York, London and Paris; but the person at the other end of the line remained apparent ly unimpressed, for in Q moment Bridgie called:
 Miss Debbyl Sure, an 'tis sorry I am to bother you and the Cap tain" - So Bridgie did not know that Stephan had gone -- but there's an uppity party on the line that will have words wit none but you"
 With an indignant fiirt of her apron, she marched off to her own quarters.
 When Deborah went out, picked up the receiver, and said, "De- borah Lovett speaking" 1t was Q mans voice which answered -- crisp, impersonal, and somehow terrifying guarded:
 T understand, Miss Lovett, that MT. von Thalmann was your guest this evening""
 Who is this2" Deborah de- manded, her fingers cold upon the receiver.
 "Dr. Bingham will satisfy you on that score, I think, Miss Lov- ett.'
 Dr. Bingham had been the Lovett physician for years.
 Just now" the voice went on, T am sorry to have to tell you that MT. von Thalmann has met with an accident--a rather serious accident"
 Deborah sat down Imply on the chair before the telephone table.
 Are you there, Miss Lovett?" the voice asked sharply. Gan you hear me?"
 yes" Deborah breathed. "An accident, you said It he? Oh, but you must bring him here, ct once"
 That was the doctors idea. Ills own quarters, 1t seems, are un- suitable That is - this Mrs. Lanahan, think she said her name was-can she be trusted2"
 About my affairs she's as close snouthed as the Sphinx
 "She sounded like the private secretary to Q busy corporation lawyer" the voice agreed dryly. "Dr. Bingham about whom I happen to be informed = speaks highly of your own discretion. Hell come on ahead of us"
 How how soon7" Deborah faltered.
 Probably i've minutes fl noth- ing goes wrong"
 pr. Bingham, himself, came in almost immediately big and wholesome and comfortingly mat ater of fact in the midst of this insane nightmare.
 Before Deborah could ask any , questions, footsteps scraped on the gravel of the drive, and when she hurried to open the door, a grim little procession filed into the hall. On an improvised stretcher four sailors carried a long figure with roughly bandaged head. At first Deborah hardly recognized Stephan in the coarse seaman's clothing and boots When had he put them on2
 Behind came Q fifth man in a gray overcoat, inconspicuous in every way except for bright dark eyes that seemed to see everything in the hall in one swift glance. Deborah looked for Wilhelms sturdy figure; but Wilhelm was not among those present.
 As soon as the man in the gray overcoat spoke, Deborah recog- nized his voice as the crisp, im- personal one she had heard over the telephone.
 Miss Lovett?" he asked, but as if her were already sure of that. My name is Hilton. Where shall we take him2"
 Before Deborah could answer, Bridgie's voice rang from the land ing above:
 "Howly Mither of Heavenl' cried Bridgie, numbering down the re- maining flight of stairs "If 1t isn't the CaptainI What in the name - Sure, where would you be putin himself but in the Masther's room2 An don't shtand there lookin' feckless entirely, Miss Debbyl Put some water on to boil"
 
 From that moment 1t was Bridgie who took charge -- Bridgle who led the little procession upstairs, who found linen and extra covers, and stood by while pr. Bingham did his grlsly work. For when Deborah tried to follow the stretcher into the up- per room, the physician took her arm and led her gently away.