Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1947-04-11
CHAPTER XIII

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eyes. He accused me late that
night, but I'd destroyed the letters,
Mr.. McCale,. and I managed to con-
vince him that I had done an err
rand for Vicky."
"Ummm. Quick thinking. There
are some letters of Victoria's
around somewhere, you know"
Really" She was disinterested,
completely. "Well?"
"Those are the things I know"
He raised an eyebrow, looked at
her intensely, and his voice grew
hard. "But this is what I surmise.
Let's say it is a bunch I have, so
great that it wants only confirma-
ton from you."
The woman before him might
have been carved of ice, but McCale
went on.
"The design or plan was to bring
Vallaincourt, the irresistible, the
magnet, to attract Veronica. He
was to marry her and get control
OF the money, or at least salt away
a large portion of it for himself.
Then, perhaps, a divorce, and back
to Victoria. 1t probably was Vic
toria's idea. Then everything would
be soft for the foster-Bigelows. They
could have their fun, have millions
to play with, and no interference
from disappearing brother-in-law,
like, for instance, Christopher
Storm"
An amused murmur came from
her set lips.
Il don't think that you necessar-
lily were party to the scheme. I
suppose you knew about it, but
were just too disguised with your
own life to care" He scowled. "But
the rest of them. What a rotten
deal to put over on a fine old lady
and a sensitive young grill" His
repugnance to the idea was clearly
apparent in his face.
However" He sat up straight,
putting the tips of his fingers to-
gether. Something went wrong
somewhere. rather suspect it was
Shari Lynn. Curt probably had to
promise he would come back with
the spoils in order to get her to
divorce him. He also had to make
the same promise to Victoria. What
mess when someone, Victoria, no
doubt, found the scrap of burned
letter in the fireplace. That put the
screws in the works. No wonder,
in her rage, she took it to Miss
Adelaide, sending her searching all
over the town for an honest detec-
tive"
He was silent for a moment, star
ing modify at the disdainful Karen.
"These things I surmise," he re-
iterated. Nov, what can you tell
me?"
II don't need to tell you any,
thing. You are very acute" Her
voice was smooth, fiat.
''Thank you" He bowed as
though to the Snow Maiden herself.
Except perhaps"
Except" she cut it CURLY, "it
was Veronica who found the piece
of letter." She smiled ironically.
Lord" he reeled as from blow,
chow you all gang up on Veronica"
She moved toward the door.
"Christopher, the Galahad, the ir-
reproachable, is upstairs, if you
wish to question him." Her voice
dripped ice.
"By all means"
Alone, he kicked the brass fender
of the fireplace. He was in vile
temper. He had learned a great
deal, but all roads led to Rome-or
to Veronica, to put it exactly. There
was only one solution. Shari Lynn.
She must be bribed, or coerced, or
frightened into talking. She must
talk before this shabby crowd
brought their witch's brew to boil.
When Christopher Storm bounded
in with his quick, virile stride, Nc
Gale turned hurriedly to shake the
young mans hand. He looked into
the clean-cut face and spoke quick
ly.