Evening star., 1941-02-15

a month. You must have at least
one suspect"
There's a man named Donovan.
Bert Donovan. plane salesman. l
had a hunch Tex Martin knew
something about Donovan. and that
Donovan was scared of Tex. But
still that's only a hunch.
We'll check on Donovan" Mack
lin said He looked at his watch.
The mail should be in, Ryan. Want
to see if that money came?'
The Money Is There.
Michael nodded. and went to the
desk. There was letter. He
ripped open the envelope and it
contained 5000 in 20s. The en-
velope had been addressed in pen
Gil, the letters printed, and it was
the sort of stamped envelope sold
at post Offices.
Macklin said. IF you turn the
envelope over to me. the depart
ment may be able to find some
thing"
I1oW dOOuJ Gilc lllOiicN
They're old bills. I doubt if the
bank-if they came from a bank
listed the numbers. But it's
chance. I'll give you receipt
for it."
Michael agreed and then Macklin
said: you've been help. Ryan.
Maybe Ill look you up again"
I'll be around"
"All right. But keep your eyes
open"
Wide Open" Michael agreed.
The two men left, and Michael
went back to the phone booth and
asked the hotel operator to ring
room 719. He heard Joan Halli-
days soft, slightly husky voice say,
Hello"
This is Michael Ryan. Joan. We
have a date for this morning, re-
MEMBER
Yes, I remember. I'll meet you
in the lobby in five minutes"
Michael said, Good" and hung
up, feeling a keen anticipation.
While he waited, he called a garage
and asked that his wrecked car be
brought in.
Joan looked cool and fresh. She
wore blue linen dress and car
ried a panama in her hand. Cross
ing to her, Michael was aware of
her beauty; and aware of the way
life lay in her eyes and played on
her lips. She was smiling this morn
ing.
Reveals Her Quarry.
To his question she said that she
hadn't yet had breakfast He took
her into the hotel cafe and during
the time she ordered and ate he sat
watching her.
Finally she said: so my Job
would be to spy on a man. Who
is hep"
Michael avoided her eyes. made a
slow thing of lighting a cigarette.
Spying was an ugly word. an ugly
act, and he felt a keen guilt.
He said Bert Donovan" quite
simply and heard her sharply-drawn
breath. She said "Ah!" but didn't
seem surprised.
Does that make any difference?"
mo. I don't suppose it does"
Michael kept looking at the burn
ing end of his cigarette, unable to
meet her eyes. Donovan interests
me-" he said. you don't need to
know why. He has a rather color
full background. and it's the sort of
background he'd need to pull what
I think he's pulling. What I really
want to find out is what, besides
selling planes, he's involved in"
And I'm to play up to him."
do you think you can do it?"
do you mean, will my principles
let me?"
That" he said, "and if you can
get him interested in you'
He looked at her then and saw
that her color was little high. She
said, He is already interested in
me-"
Michael nodded. ''It will be easy
then. I'll contact you once a day
to see what progress you make. I'll
send your first weeks pay up to
your room after I 60 to the bank.
In case you need it."
Thanks. :" She was smiling.
1t was an amused, family mocking
smile. That will be nice, especially
since this happens to be my BIRTH
day"