Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-04-23
CHAPTER XIII

The light revealed a desk, short
wave radio set and three large fill
ing cabinets. He drew on a pair of
gloves. Don't touch anything" he
cautioned Joan.
Joan's heart was in her throat.
ooh Paul, what if Karl should find
out we were here?"
'By that time" Paul replied grim
ly, lit will be too late"
Joan looked curiously at the radio
set. do you suppose Karl has
receiver too?"
Probably, though where it would
be I don't know"
He opened a drawer of the desk.
Doesn't seem to be anything
"Wait!" Joan cried. Whats
this?" She seized a gray glove ly-
ing among pencils and bits of pa
pers. "This is SYPHILIS glove!" she
said excitedly. "She always wore
these with her suit, and she was
wearing that suit the day she dis
appeared"
Paul gazed speculatively at the
slender gray glove. ut could mean
that Sybil discovered this room,
that she knew what was going on in
here, and that's why Karl put her
out of the way
Joan pressed the glove against
her cheek. ooh Syb!" she wept.
II still think Sybil is alive" Paul
said, "Karl is saving her as an ace
up his sleeve. In that way she is
of more use to him living than dead.
Anyway, that's my bunch. 1t will
be better if you can believe it too"
"I'll try" Joan gulped, control
ling herself with an effort.
Half an hour passed while Paul's
nimble fingers explored the contents
of drawer after drawer.
He tapped the walls but they re-
vealed nothing. 1t was Joan who
cried, "Paul! Look at this desk.
There's something odd about it,"
There seemed to be a panel on the
side of the desk. you're right, :"
Paul said, and gently forcing the
wood, he pulled it to one side. Here
we are!" he said as they both
gazed into small hidden compart-
ment. Eagerly Paul thrust in his
hand and drew forth large enve-
lope. He opened it. ''Look Joan!
These are the plans for that bomb
ing plane. We were right"
Joan peered over his shoulder at
the unintelligible writing. "What do
they say?"
Paul smiled excitedly as he ran
his eyes over the pages. "Plenty!
There's enough here to convict Karl
and Mrs. Murdoch as we'll as
some others!"
Lets get out of here, quick, "
Joan begged, glancing back at the
half-open panel which had admitted
them.
''While we're here I'm going to
take last look around to see if
can find a copy of that CODE"
Joan watched his brown head bend
over the drawer. Her heart went out
to him in gratitude for his kindness.
"This is really the end of our search
them" she asked.
"It looks like it,
81 wish we were out of here"
Joan repeated. 81 have a feeling
something else is about to happen"
Paul laughed. "You women and
your intuition!"
But Joan shivered nervously as
she waited for Paul to finish.
In a downtown hotel, Karl Miller
was dancing with Pat.
you're darling!" he murmureo
against her hair.
ooh Karl, l love you so much"
'He smiled. "You are happy
iebchen?"
Il still can't believe it," Pat said
turning her radiant face to his
"Just think Mrs. Karl Miller"
1--WE can't be married for two OF
three months yet," Karl told her.
81 don't care. I'm so happy
Pat gazed down at the emerald, q
magnificent jewel which flashed
green fire from her hand. cts such
a beautiful ring! Joan will be SC
surprised"
mo doubt" Karl smiled.
"And Paul too?"
paul? Why should Paul be sur.
prised?"
The music had stopped now ano
they returned to their table.
"What has Paul got to do with
us?" Karl demanded.
Pat looked embarrassed. She hao
promised not to reveal Pauls iden.
tity under any circumstances. ooh
nothing" she faltered.