Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-08-10
Continued from Page 81


the bay in a rowboat.
IN get them, Gilbert" she
said. Somehow I'll find a way"
Gilbert smiled palely. Thank
you, my dear. Perhaps l should
have been franker with you this
morning. But for Terrys sake l
didn't want anyone to know this
unless they had to-"
Il understand. / only wish. :"
Then, in a tight little voice, be-
cause she couldn't keep the words
in. she blurted: Gilbert, do you
think he did IL? Do you think
Terry killed him ?"
Gilbert leaned across the table
and took her hand in his own
warm, steady one.
I'VE mustn't think that way,
Kay. We mustn't start wonder
ing. If we do, Wen go mad.
We ="
He broke off, Kay started too
and looked up as the door burst
open and Elaine ran in. Her
small. pointed face was white as
parchment. Her eyes, moving
swiftly TO her fathers, were
Swallowed with dread.
Gilbert s k ed sharply:
Elaine, what's the matter
It's Alice" Elaine came to-
ward them. her hands fiuttering
out helplcssly. You've got 10
come - quickly. You've got to
stop her. She's just told us all
that she knows who killed Ivor.
She's got evidence, she says. And
she's going TO Major Clifford
right away"
THIS, happening on top Of every
thing else, seemed 10 Kay like
the final blow Gilbert swung the
wheel-chair around and was
staring at his daughter. Kay
asked
But who is it, Elaine? Whom
is she accusing ?"
She didn't give any name"
Gilbert, his voice very calm,
said: Then it's probably just an
other Of her theatrical scenes "
No. no It's tho truth all right.
We were al there in the living
room and she burst in and told
as She has evidence. she said.
evidence she couldn't tell the
Major about over the phone. evil
dcnce she had 20 take 10 him
personally. She she was gloat-
ng about IT," Elaine threw back
her dark hair. Somehow we've
got 10 stop her You've got 10
come and help"
Enthusiastically Kay never a mo-
mcnt stopped 10 reflect that. in
taking evidence 10 the police.
Alice Lumsden was merely doing
what any decent. law-abiding
person would do under the cir
cumstances Her reaction was as
unashamedly realistic as Elaine's.
Alice Lumsden was a menace 20
them all. Somehow she must be
stopped
Father, Kay. come. please"
Elaine had turned back i'm
patiently 20 the door Kay hur-
ried after her Behind she could
hear the cumbersome roll Of
Gilberts wheel-chair as he fol-
lowed them down the corridor
into the living
Kay had been expecting 20
interrupt a dramatic scene domi-
mated by Alice Lumsden. But. as
she entered the room after
Elaine, no one was there except
Maud who stood with her back 20
them. staring out Of the window.
Lights had been turned on here
too. Outside their small palid
circles. the room was caught up
m a weird dusk The French
windows were shut. but the whole
grey weight Of the gathering
storm see IN ed 20 be leaning
against the panes like some huge
invisible beast Of prey, pushing
to get into the house.
Little things took on pointless
significance low bowl of scar
let hibiscus burning like petrihed
flames. a tray Of glasses. a bottle
Of whisky and squat Bermuda
soda-water bottles with little
glass marbles in their thick
necks. cleaning evilly in the
undersea light.
Gilbert came in behind them.
Maud. as If she were conscious
Of them for the first time, turned
and moved toward them. Her
face was pale and set, but its in
trinsic tranquility was still un-
disturbed. She looked at Gilbert.
Elaine told you?
Yes, my dear"
I'm afraid IL isn't bluff. She
really does think she knows who
killed Ivor and she intends TO 20
to Major Clifford right away"