Evening star., 1941-02-23

ne was In ITOuDlc. n pldiil-StOihco
man might be sitting on the next
bench listening to every word. For a
few days until he was safe, he must
find some excuse not to be with her.
He tried to telephone her, forget
ting that the store didn't permit its
employees to answer during working
hours. There was no phone where
she lived.
He bought an evening paper and
sat in his room with the account of
the Fitch Filling Station murder
spread before him. There was a pic
ture of the place and one of Hiram.
Police were checking up with the
Rogues' Gallery to find out whether
Hiram had a record. They weren't
satisfied with the hold-up theory. The
stolen money might be a blind to
cover up more subtle crime.
Night fell. Dave didn't go out to
eat. He sat there, the paper still
spread, but he was picturing Marie.
alone, waiting for him, asking herself
if he stayed away deliberately, if he
wanted to renege on his promise to
marry her. He couldn't stand that
He'd risk anything before he'd let her
doubt his love- He picked up his hat
and dashed over to the Square.
His first swift glance was reassuring.
The bench where Marie sat was in the
open, no other bench near, no trees,
no bush where man could hide. That
was a relief That was something.
He took her in his arms and pressed
his face against her neck. He didn't
have to tell her about Hiram. She had
read the news. She realized what he
had been through. She cupped her
hand around his head, pressed it closer
and said nothing.
81 might not be able to meet you
tomorrow, he whispered. They'll be
asking me some more questions"
"All right, Davey. half didn't ex-
pect you tonight" She hesitated.
"Davey, any idea who might have -"
mo - no." he interrupted almost
savagely. "How could know? How
could have any idea?"
81 just thought - you always no.
tice people. Maybe you'd remember
somebody who came to see him or -"
If ONLY he dared give in and tell
her this thing that was burning him
up, she'd know what he should do.
He gripped her hand tight in his.
Here's that extra coin made. Put
it in the bank" And then his head
dropped on her shoulder. Gosh, I'm
tiredr'
go home - go to bed. I'll pray for
you" Anxiously she repeated it: "Tll
pray for you" Did she guess he was
holding something back?
The next day, Sunday. he stayed
in his room. On Monday, he was ques-
toned again, this time at Police Head
quarters. Going there with a detec-
tive frightened Dave. He wondered.
what now? But the inspector who took
him in hand, lanky stoop-shouldered
man who wore heavy, tinted spectacles
so that his eyes didn't bore through
fellow, somehow gave him confidence.
The mans voice had a soothing
drone as he said, "Pm Inspector Car
digan. | know you want to help US
in every possible way"
Dave was surprised how simple his
questions were. Cardigan wanted to
know how many cars had stopped for
gas on the thirteenth, wanted descrip-
tons of the cars and their passengers,
wanted as many license numbers as
Dave could recall.
1t was a relief to give direct answers
to this mans slow, monotonous in
terrogation Dave found himself de-
scribing Addison along with the rest.
Why not? The guy had bought gas,
hadn't he? No need to let on he'd
given any name. Just another Gus
toner and let it go at that. 1t was a
relief not to have to lie.