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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER, RANDOLPH, UTAH Uf GERAUtt&SftVj BROWN W.N.O. FEATURE Duke McCale, private detective, Is Investigating the murder of Curt Vallaincourt, who was about to marry Veronica Bigelow, heiress to thirty million dollars. McCale obtains some Important clues from Shari Lynn, Vallaincourts former wife, and from Victoria, Veronicas sister. Veronica, the No. 1 suspect, is called again to headquarters. McCale questions the members of the family. Stephen, Veronicas brother, tells how he met Vallaincourt in Chicago, when his sister, Victoria, was running around with the handsome adventurer. It was Victoria who introduced Vallaincourt to Veronica. McCale considers this significant. Stephen also reveals that he knew Shari Lynn in Chicago. CHAPTER XII Id met her. We all met once or twice. But he divorced her, you know." He shut his mouth, and his brooding eyes half Closed. He looked at McCale with an expression that said as plainly as words could, And thats all youll get from me.. McCale changed the direction of his next questions strategically and said with the suddenness of a catapult, You were spying on your wife and Curt Vallaincourt at The White Abbey night before last, werent He thought he had explodyou? ed a bomb with that, but curiously enough, Bigelow was ready for it. No, indeed. I just happened to be there. I saw them talking. What of it? Karen comes and goes as she pleases. You didnt, then, suspect her, say, of having an affair or some secret connection with him say something she wished to keep from a moment dazed. I didnt know it was Curt. I only saw a man stagger a moment. He seemed to recover himself and walk on toward me. In my shock I stepped off the sidewalk and crossed the street. It was only when he fell to his knees on our steps that I knew something terrible had happened. It was then I saw Veronica running across the Common path. Veronica she drew herself up majestically. Why didnt you immediately come into the house? I should have thought but I couldnt. Dont you see? She was Cornell now, loyal, If Id misunderstood, rejected. gone right in, everyone would have known, wouldnt they? Id have had to say Id seen Veronica. I couldnt do that I couldnt. McCale wondered why, if she couldnt face telling it then, she was able to be so glib about it now. I slipped down the other side of the street to the drugstore for cigarettes. I met Stephen there, you know or dont you? Yes. I have seen the police reWill you ports, he said gravely. send your daughter in please? You never would have guessed that Victoria had been up most of the previous night. The circles under her eyes were no darker than usual. She slunk in, her mouth the same insolent gash of red. Oh, you? Bigelow laughed hollowly, the watchfulness gone from him. Not He accented at all, Mr. McCale. Whatever the mister disdainfully. gave you that absurd idea? You havent a He shrugged. thing to tell me that might help the growing case against Veronica, then? he asked, a reasonable barb in his question. Nothing at all. Stephen rose, well aware that he had acquitted himself, in his own mind anyway, with some success that the interview was over. He paused at the door. Who is next for the inquisition? ' he asked mockingly. 4 You might ask your mother to step in for a moment, McCale answered, wrapped in sudden fury. Sorry to bother you, Mrs. Bigelow, he said, somewhat disgruntled. Oh, no, I mustnt be spared, she sighed. Its all so sordidly necessary. Why did you- - go to the White he Abbey the night before last? asked without preliminary. !Why, I I wasnt there . . . I The unexpectedness of the attack made her forget momentarily her Dostevski role. Quickly she sank into a chair. Did you see him? McCale prodded. Sybil Admits She Saw the Shooting I told you I did not go to that is, I did go inside the lobby, but decided not to go upstairs. I returned home. You didnt see Curt Vallaincourt as you had planned, then? I tell you I didnt go upstairs. Besides, I went there to get my son. He had quarreled with Karen and I was afraid he had started out She said it very on a a binge. defiantly. One more question, then, he said, to her surprise and disapWhat did you see, yespointment terday afternoon, when you were in front of this house at the time of the murder? The blow of it visibly staggered her. Again there was the automatic reaching out for her glass of sherry. She gasped. Her eyes were filled with sheer terror. Her mouth grew slack. I was Oh, no, she whimpered. not there. I wasnt. Youre mistaken. His voice became hard, his look You wore a gray raininsistent. coat, he said. ' Both Miss Adelaide and I saw you. , No, no she couldnt have. She didnt hasnt She would not tell you. You know that. She has not admitted it even to me. But I saw you, Mrs. Bigelow.' I know it was you. He waited, tense, as she pulled herself slowly together. She arose with cold determination. Very well, then, she said at last. I was going to protect her. God knows why. I didnt actually see the shooting. It was foggy, slippery, you know. I have very small feet and sometimes lose my balance, I was picking my way. I had my head down when the shot come. I was so frightened and for , Shari Lynn has them. She must. You hinted at it the other night. You can act as intermediary get your cut anything. Only Ive got to have them. Why? She was impatient in her anxiety, boldly took another task. See here she came close to him, dropping her voice conspira-toril- y youre working all out for Veronica, arent you? Now listen. If those letters come out, it will put her in a worse spot than shes in now. Im sorry, but I dont follow you. Oh, Lord, I thought you said you were a detective. Look. Veronica found out, somehow, that I had known Curt rather well. Dont ask me how. I dont know that. We had a whale of a row over it, but I denied it. Do you see? Now, if they get her for his his death, and the letters are found, it will prove she was right. Dont you get it? It will give them a motive. If I can get them back, I can destroy When sewing material that is Time to fill the salt shakers. Only this time make a funnel from slippery and hard to handle, a towthe corner of an envelope, cutting el pinned around the extension lid off a small portion of the tip. No of the sewing machine keeps the material and place. spilling. For smooth looking sheets, iron Tie back curtains can be evened' thicknesses of sheet at one by to pulling down window shades to fold in hem half time; bringing ;:old. Iron first on the plain side, the exact point where they are to be fastened. This is a perfect guide then on the hem side. and eliminates a lot of measuring. When babys quilted pads are To stop grease from sputtering well worn, cut the best pieces from them for padding. These in your frying pan sift a speck of flour into it. make extra heavy pot-hold- er pot-holde- Gay Paama Do for Bedtime of the Bedtime Doll (Pattern No. 5303) send 20 cents in coin, your name, address and pattern number. SEWING CIRCLE NEEDLEWORK Mission St., San Francisco, Calif. Enclose 20 cents for pattern. 709 No Name Aridrpss them. w temper in :!our - He chuckled cynically, striking his hands together with a muttered exclamation. No, he barked, not really! Dont tell me, in all seriousness, that you want to protect Veronica? Of course. Why? Because it just occurred to me, being a detective, that if you had those letters you might just possibly not destroy them. They make such a swell motive. He bowed. Not only that, my loyal young lady, but you seem to think as a matter of fact, youre practically convinced yourself that Shari Lynn has possession of those letters. Suppose I tell you that the police have them safe under lock and key. Evidence, you know. Its a lie! Yes, he said, so far as I know, it is a lie, but how did you know? She shut her lips together and just glared at him. You may go, he said unconIll talk to your sister-in-lacernedly. ones This Home-Mixe- d Cough Relief Is POTS adore soft, cuddly toys they can take to bed. This sleepy time doll is 15 inches high and is dressed in warm, gayly flowered pajamas with narrow ruffle trim. Wonderful No Cooking. So Easy. Save9 Dollars. To get the most surprising relief from coughs due to colds, you can easily prepare a medicine, right in your own kitchen. Its very easy a child could do it needs no cooking, and tastes so good that children take it willingly. But youll say its hard to beat for quick results. First, make a syrup by stirring 2 cups of granulated sugar and one cup of water a few moments, until dissolved. Or you can use com syrup or liquid honey, instead of sugar syrup. Get 2 ounces of Pinex from any druggist, and pour it into a pint bottle. Fill up with your syrup. This gives you a full pint of really splendid cough syrup about four times as much for your money. It never spoils, and lasts a long time. And it gives quick relief. It acts In three ways loosens the phlegm, soothes the irritated membranes, and helps clear the air passages. Pinex is a special compound of proven Ingredients, in concentrated form, well known for quick action in coughs and bronchial irritations. Money refunded if it doesn't please you in every way. next. A few minutes later the door opened and Karen Bigelow came in. To obtain complete tissue pattern for I think, he observed, that of doll body, pajamas, embroidery chart for the least all Bigelows, you belong lace, instructions on how to make the hair of all to this house. You mean, perhaps, that I am an acquisition let us say an ornament? Exactly. You can tell me more A hard nut to crack, was all about them than anyone. She made McCale made of her. "Oh, but I couldnt. ABOUT YEAST GETTING STALE! a slow, somnolent motion, not so A hard nut to crack, was all much in horror or disloyalty as of McCale made of her, as he smiled deadly indifference. to himself. I think you can, he persisted. Too bad you werent able to find Let me tell you what I know to be your letters in Vallaincourts apart- true. You all were acquainted with ment last night, he opened. Curt Vallaincourt in Chicago at She did not seem startled. She about the same time Stephen Bigetossed her dark head. low was, shall I say, rushing you You knew his Oh, you know that, do you? How into matrimony? did that get out? wife, too, Sarah Linsky, wasnt it My assistant, who helped you the present Shari Lynn? search. He was quite smitten by She was watching him covertly from under her long lashes. your charms. So Her lip curled. That Ox. he works for you. He told me he The Ugly Plot was a policeman. Well, hed make a good one, at Begins to Show McCale chuckled. I know you finally consented to Youd that. have recognized him if youd been marry Stephen, he continued. home the night before. He was on Ill confess, Ive wondered why. She shifted her position impercepduty here all that night. Where New Fleischmanns Fost Rising Dry Yeast keeps were you, by the way? tibly, placing her long white hands on her knees. Thats my business. th for weeks on your pantry shelf I had suffered all winter with a She touched her arm. Those Letters Could pain here. can make IF YOU BAKE AT HOME-y- ou A nervous ailment. I thought then Be Damaging delicious notice time bread a ... at moments any that I would never play again. I Yeast. New Fleischmaxms with Fast mine. Or at Dry She Rising least had thought, of thought Perhaps its the police may want an explana- course, that she could forget her Always dependable New Fleischmanns Fast tion. Were you at the Vallaincourt music in the bosom of a rich soRising keeps fresh for weeks on your pantry cial life. How wrong she had been. apartment, by any chance? shelf ready for quick action whenever you "My little romp with Curt was She found herself embroiled bewant Just dissolve according to directions it. tween a jealous mother-in-laover long ago. and on Get New Fleischmanns Fast the package. Was it? he asked quietly, hard a jealous husband. She had withYeast Rising to Dry today. At your grocers. bunches showing along his jaw. Nordic her drawn, therefore, Yes. Who says it wasnt? hauteur, until boredom and unhapThe red wig you wore when piness had driven her back to the you impersonated your stepsister, keyboard to find that sheer neceseach time you went sity enabled her to overcome her Veronica, there. illness, forced her to play again. Youll have to prove that. McCale stood very straight and Her eyes grew hooded and he saw still before the glacial Karen. he said her hands tremble. His shot in the Look, Mrs. Bigelow, dark had been a good one. very quietly, I know that Victoria Proof? he said, smiling. "I knew Vallaincourt and that was still going on even after his endont need to prove it. Its I know a lot more about gagement to Veronica, and that he the woman that Curt Vallaincourt stiff saw Shari Lynn as well. I knew than you can imagine in your know, too, that you once had some wildest dreams. connection with him, because you A crooked little smile curled the went to the White Abbey the night before last to buy back some letedges of her mouth. On, what does it matter, any- ters from Miss Lynn. They must how? Were all sunk. I did want have been old letters or Vallainthose letters though. You know court would have had them and what I think? I think you know you would have had to deal with where they are. 1 think you could him. The fact that he showed sur'VSli Why wont you prise when you made, the exchange get them for m Poor little chest muscles all sore and work for me? 1 said Id pay you with his proved that. achey from hard coughing? Quick, well. Ive got enough money. Her What else do you know? she Mentholatum. Rub it on back, chest, r.lEflTHOLATUr.l neck. Your child will, like that warm, asked wearily, her voice toneless. eyes were bright. I know What good would that do? he hesitated. Well gently stimulating action. Helps lessen She got up, turned her back to that your husband also saw the without irritating childs congestion the window, and made a quick, exchange. Did you know that? skin. At same time normal delicate IMG, Dm 'TO BE CONTINUED) pleading gesture. Co, comforting vapors lessen coughing. No more ivory full-streng- w self-evide- ex-wi- fe tick! |