Evening star., 1941-03-31

voice. I'm other, words, you think
I'm more susceptible than Gladys
easier to get, to put it rudely!"
"Oh, come now!" Dick explained,
ct didn't mean that. Honestly,
darling, you don't believe :"
1t was the first quarrel. They
made it up Immediately, with Dick
appropriately apologetic and hum
bic. Nothing more was said at the
time about Brindas going to Vas
laws. But it left bruiSe nonethe-
less, and one that sometimes made
Brinda sorry she had adhered to
her original resolution.
Another shock was preparing. On
leaving the hospital, Dick was to
have gone to the home of a school
friend at HarWich to recuperate
Just before being discharged. he
told Brinda he was going to Lord
Mountwyn's instead.
II don't enjoy the prospect" he
added, but his lordship has an in
terest in my invention, after ALL
and I can't very we'll refuse him.
Besides, dear, it's important I get |
to work again right away"
Returns Dicks Plans.
At his request, Brinda brought |
him the plans she had guarded SO
carefully.
II wish you were going anywhere
else, Dick" she said. Not because
of Gladys, but . well, / some
times wonder about Lord Mount
wynn"
"Oh, he's sound enough" an
swered Dick, with no conviction in
his voice, his jaw set in stubborn
line Anyway. you do as you please.
Vaslav, for instance"
Brinda let it rest there. But, II
Vaslav had known, that night might
have been his opportunity. Instead,
he chose the occasion to make some
radical changes in the steps Brinda
had already learned.
She was so furious, she almost
walked out on the entire ballet. But
some instinct restrained her. So she
practiced the new steps-not only
at the studio, but after she reached
home. before her pier glass.
The better to remember the new
changes, she borrowed Sir Johns
chesSboard and worked them out
with a real queen. AS she made
each move she noted it in the GUS
tomary code used in registering chess
moves.
Then, unable to think Of anything
but Dick, she crumpled the paper
and tossed it in a wastebaSket.
Sir John Startled.
There, with an exclamation OF
malignant triumph, the house.
keeper Walker found it the following
morning. She took it directly to Sir
John.
You say you found this in my
niece's wastebasket?" asked Sir
John.
That I did" declared the house
keeper, "and if it amt one of them
secret ciphers I'll be surprised.
What's more. she had a little tin
box hid in that jewel case of hers
for time-only it's gone now. And
she comes in all hours of night
lately"
Sir John glanced at the notes
and sighed.
These are only some chess notes,
Walker I often make ones like
them myself. I'm sorry, my good
woman, but I'm afraid something is
affecting your mind. suggest you
look for another place"
You mean I'm sacked?"
'I can't have spies in my house!"
snapped Sir John.
Walker laughed unpleasantly.
Cant have spies! In this house!
That's a good 'un. Well, if you amt
got one named Brinda I miss my
guess-chess notes or no chess
notes"
She flung out of the room. Sir
John rang for his orderly.
Better take care of ! er," he said.
ct fear she's crazy" He looked at
the chess notes. Idly, he jotted
some figures. whats this?" he
and reached for the phone.
Capt. Boiling? Send your best
cipher man at once please"
The cipher expert arrived on the
run.
sit down." said Sir John. I've
something puzzling here. 1t appears
to be in code. wish you'd look 1t
over"
+" (To be continued
(Copyright by Maurice Dekobra and Leyla
George. Distributed by King Features