Evening star., 1941-08-15
CHAPTER 10.

4Ou maze Jne scene, JeH nung
over his shoulder as he gave the
driver Tommy Nelson's address, the
Hotel Bristol
Are you under the impression
that you're tracking down the
criminal?" I asked sweetly when we
had got under way.
I'm anxious to see the expression
on your face when / solve this
thing" jeff growled.
when that happens my face will
have gone to claim its just reward"
Look. I admit didn't find out
why Alice left the theater, but I
did all right at that The girl poured
out her heart and soul to me-"
She poured out lot of nonsense.
I don't believe that Bowers ever
promised her Carols part, and as
for the stuff about Tommy! He
took Carol to lunch once or twice, he
knew she was broke, and brought
her home a few times, but that's
all there was to it,"
Wen see what Tommy has to
say" Jeff said.
But we didn't. Tommy was out.
From the Bristol jeff called Gree
ley Morris, but Mr.. Morris, accord
ing to the operator at the Gotham,
was not to be disturbed Back in the
cab jeff directed the driver to the
Alexandria.
Next on our list, Amelia"
But Jeff, why of all people,
Amelia?"
why not?"
"All right, she might have poisoned
Carol But she never would have
mistaken Eve for Carol no matter
what Eve was wearing. She's been
with Eve for century. Why, it's
just preposterous that Amelia .
Jeff, surely you don't think she
could have done it?"
Amelia Might Have Clue.
II don't know who did it. But
Amelia's been around the theater
all the time. Eve didn't keep her
busy, she had nothing much to do.
She might have a clue, clue de
luxe, with tinsel, and not even
know it,"
We pulled up in front of the Alex
andria In the lobby jeff pointed
out with great pride the clerk who
had been so helpful on his previous
visit
Amelia opened the door and when
I saw her I was sorry had let jeff
come. 1t would be cruel to bother
her with questions and pryings. 1t
would be completely heartless. Her
dark ugly face was filled with grief,
her eyes swollen with crying.
jeff said very gently, Gould we
talk to you for a little while,
Amelia?"
Yes" She indicated chairs for
us and stood watching us with a
weary patience.
I'VE want you to help us if you
can"
YES"
IF we can find the person who
tried to kill Carol Blanton, We'll
know who killed Miss North You
understand that, don't you, Amelia?
And We think you can help us if
you'll try. You've been around the
theater a lot, at rehearsals and per-
formanceS. You might have noticed
something that none of the others
did"
She watched JEFF intently. I'm
always around the theater when
Miss North is playing. I took care
of her"
II know you did, Amelia. You
were doing something for her that
first night when the poison was put
in Carol Blantons glass, weren't
you?"
Her head bobbed slowly up and
down. Il was putting on the water
for her tea. She didn't have an en-
trance early in the third act, so ]
was taking my time"
When you crossed the stage 70
the kitchen did you see any ONE"
Lots of people. Almost all the
crew were there working"
ANY one else?"
Miss Thompson. She was setting
the table,
Jeffs hopeful face took a tumble
ooh. Then you crossed before the
dirty work was done. And what.
them"
Il made the tea and in a minute
or two Miss Thompson came in.
Then went to Miss North's dressing
room with the teapot"
WAS any one on stage when you
recrossed it?"
Il didn't 60 through the set. I
went behind it and I didn't see
any one, nobody at all.
And last night you were in the
kitchen again when Miss North was
stabbed"
II was just coming out. I was
crossing backstage when Miss Rogers
started screaming. Mr.. Bowers saw
me, he was sitting there. He jumped
up when the scream came and ran
right past me. I know he saw me-"
"Yes, Amelia, he said he did" JEFF
leaned forward and said earnestly:
Amelia haven't you ever noticed
anything strange in connection with
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