Evening star., 1941-06-24

pletely. Her eyes were wide. What
do you mean?"
II heard what Eric Farrell said
to you last night" He gave the in
formation casually.
Janielle's eyes were bright and
shrewd. "Au of it?"
"Yes."
She digested that with some diff
ficulty. Her eyes were opaque.
How can you help?" she said
finally.
He said: ut seems reasonable to
suppose that the tables in FarrelPs
place are fixed. They have to be
for the man to make money, enough
money to be big shot. Those things
are taken for granted by some peo-
pie. They know it and are still will
ing to play, counting on the fact
that perhaps the night they pick
will be the one when the table is
straight. An experienced gambler
knows almost Immediately. The fix
is only for the suckers" Locke
spoke carefully.
A Born Gambler.
THAT must have happened to
father"
How much cid he lose?"
ST don't know" Janielle said tone
lessly.
Did you know that he had been
going there?" Locke kept his voice
friendly and matter -of-fact.
Eyes. Father has always been a
gambler. He admits it. 1t is his one
vice, I guess. He has run his life
and his business that way, taking
some wild chances. Until now he
has always come out on top. He
must have lost large amount OF
money. He always pays. This time
he hasn't. He must have a reason
and that is what worries me. Far
rell implied some condition that I
have no knowledge of: he said 1t
as though he expected it to be full
filled"
Janielle walked toward Locke. He
watched the swing of her body. Il
don't know why I am telling you
all this" she said.
Locke said gravely, his eyes di-
rectly on Janielle's face. Il won't
use this information in any way but
what I think will help you"
Janielle nodded her thanks. Her
expression was unreadable
"If we knew just what Farrell
wanted" Locke said.
Janielle sat down opposite him.
Eyes" she said.
Your father won't like your hav-
ing confided in me-" Locke observed.
THAT is another point. We will
have to wait until he comes"
Locke said, Hell have to listen
to reason. I think I can get him out
of it,"
After moments silence Janielle
said, Until father does come, would
you like to look around the
grounds?"
THAT would pass the time"
JAMS Father Arrives.
They went out of doors. For the
next hour they walked in the bright
sunshine and for the moment Of
interlude their talk was of other
things, and neither realized that
this was what all lovers do. Neither
knew that as they walked they
formed chain that could bind
them. Janielle forgot that her COM
panion was paid to do just this.
Locke thought only of the lovely
girl who walked at his side.
They were at the far edge Of the
immense flower garden when jan
ielle saw her fathers automobile
pull up before the front door.
Here he is now" she said, and
there was an underlying twinge of
regret in her voice. Locke looked
down at her. Their pleasant mo-
ment was over.
Lets get back" he said, his
voice tightening. They strobe to-
ward the house.
Xavier Merrill was pacing the
library floor when Locke and jan
ielle came upon him. Locke saw a
blocky wedge of a man who looked
as though he could drive any of the
trucks that his employees handled.
His face was craggy, square -jawed,
rough-hewn. His hair was a thick
shock of iron-gray, brushed metic-
lulously over a big head. Locke
| looked into eyes that were warily