Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/195

“I propose to leave you with nobody for company—except Miss Julie. And who is she?”

“Wait a minute, and I'll tell you. She’s the most——”

“Later,” cut in Chan. “Much later. Mr. Hettick, I request that you remain here until my return. Your keen eye will be required. I am off for session at Grand Hotel.”

He left the pavilion, and the boy followed. As Charlie passed out of sight around the corner of the house, Bradshaw went over to where Julie sat. He dropped down beside her.

“Has that funny policeman gone?” she askedeagerly.

“For a few minutes. He'll be back before he’s missed.” Looking up at her, the boy thought he saw an expression of fear cross her delicate face. He wondered. “Charlie has just made an important discovery outside the pavilion window,” he added.

“W-what?” she inquired.

“I don’t believe he’d like to have me tell you,” Bradshaw answered. “Not just yet, at any rate. But—what about this Alan Jaynes? You don’t know him very well, do you?”

“Scarcely at all,” the girl replied. “I never saw him until yesterday morning. Shelah met him in Tahiti—I believe she was very fond of him. But Shelah was fond of—so many people. She was even—fond of me.” Without warning Julie turned away her head and burst into tears.

Bradshaw got up and laid a hand on her heaving shoulder. “Now—now,” he said uncomfortably. “You mustn’t do that. You're ruining all my press stuff.