Evening star., 1956-01-22
She was dangerous and beautiful =
and, worst Of all, her appalling
dog was shocking insult to
Mr.. Wickwire's intelligence -.


unattractive dog. and had no idea, naturally that
either Of them involved in murder While the dog
looked capable Of any perfdious crime the lady did
not. She was as fresh as q rose.
rather full-blown rose il Is true slightly middle
aged. but charming; delightful perfume dnfted from
her conner sat opposite her. both waiting for
the vet return to his Office was about seven O'Clock
Of rainy spring night l held my dog Happy firmly by
the leash and eyed the lady, She held her dog absently
and eyed the door to the street. Her bare wrists were
round and white: her hand wedding ring which
pleased me.
Now do not wish to give wrong impression: am
and intend to remain bachelor; my name is James
Wckwire am rather on the elderly side, being
senior vice-president Of bank. Since my duties
also included the task Of dssuadng Of my clients
from diving into capital in order finance sundry Get
nchquick schemes those particular clients being, all
too frequently. widows. This is merely professional
hazard: only say that in consequence the absence Of
q wedding ring on the adys hand rather pleased me-
! had no thought Of amorous daIliance.
Ii was different with Happy; amorous dalliance was
preeminent in his mind; he had taken look at the
ladys dog and fallen in love. He gave frenzed lung
said absently. Down. Lola" and watched the door,
Lola did not obey; she topped an uneainly paw in
lumberngiy coQuettish gesture which appeared drive
Happy Of his few wits with delight. restrained him
and glanced at my watch; twelve minutes after
seven said politely to the lady. "Dr. Sherman was
called on an emergency just As arrived He said he'd
be right back
She nodded. "Its twelve minutes after seven," she
said and watched the door anxously.
I supposed her anxiety concerned Lola, although
! have never seen 50 revolving creature she was
brown, unganly animal vertable Jukes Of monerei
with the nose Of q terrier and the ears Of German
shepherd except that one Of them slanted backward
while the other slaned forward in indescrbaby raf
fish way. However there IS no accounting for the
vagares Of human affection. said "Dr. Sherman
extremely fine vet. I'm sure he'll soc to your dog
She gave a surprised glance. 'Oh, I'm only going
to board Lola here. She's not got anything wrong with
her."
There was. Of course everything wrong with her. My
own dog. Happy. gigantic, liver colored creature.
predomnantly Great Dane, although have suspected
touch Of the husky in his pedigree; but he is prince
Of dogs compared to Lola. WINGED rs watched Lola
rolling wassish eye at Happy. He made another lunee
at her and the door opened and a man came in.
Il was not the vet He was small thin man in
raincoat with lady's handbag bright red under his
arm. had swift impression that he did not me,
for My chair was behind large filing cabinet and in the
same instant occurred to me that the lady herself car
ried no handbag at all. And then number Of things
happened.
He said, IL want to talk to YOU and seized the adys
arm. She sprang up and cried mo! Nor Happy con-
ceived one Of his whimsical diskes and sureed the
length Of his leash at the man. who ered around with
a look Of surprise and alarm.
do not think that Happy would in fact dismember
anybody. but occasionally he gives the impression Of
intending Lola instantly oned in the fray and cot her