Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
The Riddle
in Red
By
BETSY ALLEN
NEW YORK
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CHAPTER
13
CHAPTER
25
CHAPTER
Enter Cleo
uproar about?
Well get Jim Brinton and Ill tell you, Connie
heard Mr. Reid reply. Then the door closed behind
him and she turned to Ellen inquiringly.
Mr. Brinton is the account executive who
handles Marvillewhen she isnt too hot to
handle, Ellen said.
Id like to see thisthis creature, Connie
replied.
You will, Ellen answered with a partially
concealed yawn. If anything big is about to break,
shell be around.
Ellens assumed indifference didnt fool Connie.
She now understood the girl well enough to know
that the mere mention of Cleo Marvilles name
made her seethe. Without having been told in so
many words, Connie guessed that Ellen liked her job
here, regretted being forced to leave it, and dreaded
the necessity of making new contacts and beginning
all over again. The tears of the morning had been a
sudden welling-over of emotion that, at the sight of
her successor, she couldnt control.
The fact that everyone in the agency was being
especially kind and considerate didnt help very
much. During the next two days, when a coming
conference with Miss Marville and her associates
seemed to dominate the conversations Connie
overheard in the reception room, she felt more and
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36
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
said.
Why dont you? Elizabeth Easton agreed with
quick understanding. Your dad probably gets
awfully bored, just lying in bed. It would do him
good to see you. She didnt mention that it would
probably mean a lot to Connie to see her family, too.
I had a letter from Kit today, Connie said after
a while, and she says the hardware business is
thriving. I dropped her a post card from the office
and told her shed be elected president of the State
Hardware Association in Dads place, probably.
Aunt Bet chuckled at the fantastic idea.
Hardware Men Led by Beautiful Blonde would
make a lovely headline. Kit might even land on the
cover of Life.
Connie hugged her elbows and chortled. I miss
Kit, she confessed. Having a twin is a little like
being half a person. Kit has always been so close to
me I never realized how I depended on her. With a
sudden change of mood her eyes grew dreamy.
Practical Miss Easton said, Being separated for a
while will probably do you both good. Have some
more salad, Connie? Or are you afraid of the garlic
in the dressing? Her eyes twinkled shrewdly,
though she didnt mention Larrys name.
Connie obliged her by blushing. Of course not!
She stretched out her hand for the wooden bowl in
which Aunt Bet always tossed her marvelous salads,
52
CHAPTER
Week-end Interlude
family car.
Dads better, Kit said as she let out the clutch.
If he keeps on improving hes to be propped up in
bed for an hour each day and after a month more rest
hell be able to sit up.
Wonderful! Connie was relieved. She had
worried about her father more than she would admit,
even to herself. And Mother?
Carrying on like a Spartan, Kit said. Shes full
of fun and the best kind of medicine for Dad.
Turning into the main street, Kit chattered on
about the family until the familiar front of Blairs
Hardware Store came into sight. Then she pulled
into the nearest parking space, but without turning
off the ignition. Youll have to take over from
here, she said. Ive got to go back to work. You
know Saturdays our busy day!
Connie did know, of course, but she had
temporarily forgotten that Kit was a working woman
too. She thought regretfully of the walk in the woods
she had been planning, with Kit as her companion.
Do you need an extra hand? she asked
promptly. I could come back as soon as Ive seen
the family. Just say the word.
Kit shook her head firmly. Were getting along
splendidly, she said. Im having lots of fun. She
slid out of the drivers seat and closed the door,
pausing to rumple Ruggles ears as she said good62
bye.
Connie watched her walk away, then, on an
impulse, switched off the ignition and ran after her.
Wait a minute, Kit, she called. I can at least take
time out to say hello to the old store.
Kit turned, obviously pleased, and the girls
walked on along the familiar business street
together. Townspeople, passing them, nodded or
spoke. Almost everyone in Meadowbrook knew the
Blair twins, at least by sight.
Before Wilsons Drugstore Connie paused,
grabbing Kits arm. Look! she said, leading her
twin over to examine a display of Cosmetics by
Cleo. Thats one of our accounts!
Our accounts? Kit teased her.
Well, Reid and Renshaws. Connie laughed.
And Kit, Ive actually met Cleo Marville. Shes
perfectly amazing. Oh, Ive got so much to tell you!
Ill be keeping you awake all night.
Not me, Kit protested. Since Ive been in the
hardware business nothing could keep me awake.
But Im dying to hear about everything. Ill promise
to prop my eyes open, for a couple of hours at least.
Arm in arm, the girls walked on to the hardware
store. It looked little different to Connie than when
she had left home, neater perhaps, as though a
feminine hand had tried to reduce the effect of
clutter, but otherwise much the same. There was the
63
wouldnt they?
They would indeed! Kit looked at Connie in
admiration. How did you ever get these ideas?
Theyre good!
Connie sat back and hugged her knees, pleased at
the praise but anxious to be modest. After all, Im
in the advertising business, you know, she said.
Then she confessed, And you know Larry Stewart
is a display man at Campions. Ive watched him
work dozens of times.
Kit was considering still another drawing. I
think youre wasting your time as a receptionist,
she said.
Dont worry, Connie replied with sudden
boldness. I wont be a receptionist long.
Kit looked at her sister confidently. I believe
that, she said. Then she jumped to her feet. Come
on! Lets show these to Dad.
Mr. Blair was as excited as his new store manager
about Connies ideas. Theres no reason why these
couldnt be worked out, Kit, he said promptly. Do
you think you could build the windows from
Connies sketches?
And Kit replied, Im sure I can.
Because Connies homecoming called for a
celebration, Mrs. Blair laid a supper table in Mr.
Blairs bedroom that night.
Mm! Connie sighed as she took her first taste
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open.
I was thinking about the store windows, Connie
said slowly. Ill call him back and apologize.
You can apologize in person, Kit said. Hes
coming over in half an hour with Bob Anderson, and
hes bringing a new album of records that he says
we simply must hear.
The evening passed quickly, and it was midnight
when Connie finally snuggled down in the bed next
to Kits. Far from being tired, she leaned on her
elbow and said enthusiastically, Now let me tell
you about Cleo Marville. She really is the most
amazing character youve ever seen.
Kit stifled a yawn, turned on her stomach, and
propped her head on her folded arms. Im sure she
is, she said politely. Begin to commence.
Connie could be eloquent, but Kit was very
sleepy. It wasnt ten minutes later that Connie, now
sitting cross-legged in bed, asked a question to
which she got no reply.
What Id like to know, she was saying, is why
Miss Marville is so temperamental about Angela
Murray. Otherwise, she can be quite businesslike,
but when Murray is mentioned she flies off the
handle. Ive heard her myself. Do you suppose it
could be something personal that we dont know
anything about?
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CHAPTER
Hush, Hush!
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CHAPTER
92
CHAPTER
Angel on a Letterhead
just left.
So absorbed was she in thought that Connie
didnt remember, until she had boarded a local train
and was being borne back toward Philadelphia, that
she had left her original mission unaccomplished.
A fine businesswoman I turned out to be! she
chided herself. Now what am I going to do?
The thing she did was to confess the whole
absurd experience to Mr. Renshaw, after she had
distributed several of the samples with ease.
Never mind, he said unconcernedly. I think
Miss Marville should handle that particular
assignment herself anyway. She cant expect you to
go barging into a big house unintroduced.
The next morning Connie presented a couple of
her friends with bottles of the sample polish. She
sent one vial to Marcia Shaw, a girl from her old
Meadowbrook crowd who was now at State College,
and she personally induced Ellen Randolph to
experiment with another.
Ellen snorted, then shrugged and agreed. For
you Ill do it, Connie, but only for you. On account
of you got me this job.
Connie and Ellen lunched together, and then
Connie went down to the display department in
Campions basement to see whether Larry could
recommend an artist who might cooperate. Larry
could, and she spent a pleasant afternoon calling at
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CHAPTER
10
Whos Who?
like?
He wasnt so old, Connie said. Not doddering,
I mean. Maybe pushing fifty. Hes the kind of man
youd call dapper, I suppose. Awfully well-pressed
looking.
Dick glanced down at his own baggy tweeds. He
should be. He must have made a pile of dough from
la belle Marville.
I suppose, Connie said, without admitting that
it would never have occurred to her that a man with
a title tacked before his name might be in straitened
circumstances.
Rumor has it, Dick told her, lowering his voice,
that the Baron has been giving our Cleo a bit of a
play.
Play?
Dick nodded. The bended knee stuff. It wouldnt
be a bad thing, probably, to take home a wealthy
American bride.
Oh, but Miss Marville would nevernever give
up her business, Connie finished lamely.
Dick was too shrewd for her. You were going to
say shed never be interested in von Gletkin, werent
you?
Well, yes.
Why not? Isnt he as smooth as they say?
Connies brow wrinkled. Smooth? Maybe, in a
foreign sort of way. What nationality is he, by the
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way?
Dick shrugged and waved the hand in which he
was carrying some proofs of magazine ads.
German, AustrianI dont know. Cleo met him in
Vienna, Georgia Cameron says.
Connie went back to trying to answer Dicks
original question. Hes almost the type youd call
distinguished, she said. He has a beard trimmed in
a tuft like a goats and he has long, thin hands and
high cheekbones. You know.
Im learning.
But he has eyes like ice. Connie frowned and
an impulsive shudder ran through her at the
memory.
Maybe thats characteristic of successful
businessmen, Dick quipped.
But not of successful suitors, Connie shot back,
glancing up at the artist from under her curling
lashes and grinning impishly. Anyway, hes too
short for Miss Marville, she added decisively.
Dick laughed and turned the knob that opened the
door of his own office. So thats that! he said with
equal firmness. And now that we have Miss
Marvilles affair of the heart whipped to a standstill,
I suppose I should get to work.
And I should go rest on my switchboard,
Connie chuckled over her shoulder as she walked
away.
105
party of it.
That would be fun, Connie agreed, and the two
of them discussed plans as they got their simple
meal on the table.
You know, living with you, Aunt Bet, is just like
living with another girl, Connie said shyly after a
while. I love it.
Im glad you do, her aunt smiled back,
because I love having you. Then, to avoid
seeming overly sentimental, she added, And I just
love having help with the dishes. Particularly
tonight. Because I have to go to the library and if I
dont get started soon the place will be closed up as
tight as a drum.
Ill walk along, if I may, Connie said when her
aunt was ready to leave. Theres something Id like
to look up. Because it sounded so nosy, she didnt
confess her precise errand, namely, to see whether
she could find a record of Cleo Marvilles past. This
sister angle interested her, and she had what her dad
always called a hunch.
Together Elizabeth Easton and Connie walked
along the dim streets. They looked like two girls of
equal age under the lamplight, and since Connie was
wearing low heels and Aunt Bet high ones they even
seemed to be the same height.
Penny for your thoughts, said Miss Easton after
they had covered a block in almost complete silence.
111
that after ten years on the stage she had retired and
gone into the business of manufacturing cosmetics, a
fact she already knew. Nothing else of special
interest was included in the sketch.
But the appearance of the name Murray was allimportant. Connie turned a few pages of the book, to
see whether Angela Murray might also be included
in its roster of prominent names. But while there
seemed to be actresses and writers galore,
apparently a purely commercial success, such as that
of Marvilles chief rival, was not deemed worthy of
inclusion. There would be no way to double-check
her findingsat least not tonight.
Elizabeth Easton stood at Connies shoulder. I
find you doing the most amazing things! Her
amused whisper was at a library level.
Look at this! Connie turned back to the
Marville biography and pointed out her discovery.
Its pretty conclusive proof that Marville and
Murray are sisters, Aunt Bet.
Miss Easton drew the book toward her and read
the notation carefully. Sisters? It doesnt seem
possible.
Ill bet it is, though. That would explain a lot.
Connie told her aunt about the conversation she had
had with the taxi driver. There must have been a
very bitter quarrel, she concluded. I wonder what
it could possibly have been about?
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CHAPTER
11
Temperament!
relieved.
Still, when she went home, she asked her aunt,
Do you ever have a sort of premonition?
Aunt Bet smiled. Often. In the pit of my
stomach. A premonition of disaster. As though
something terrible were about to happen. But
nothing ever does.
Not ever?
Never! Aunt Bet said firmly. Its probably just
something to do with the moon.
Connie wandered over to the window and looked
out. There isnt any moon, she said.
There was a moon the next night, though, when
Connie and her aunt drove to Meadowbrook to
spend Thanksgiving Day with the Blairs. It was a
thin sliver of red in the sky and somehow, to
Connie, it looked ominous.
Like a bloody fingernail, she said.
Connie! You give me the creeps. Whats been
the matter with you this last couple of days?
I dont know, Connie confessed. I feel uneasy,
but I dont know why.
This sense of restlessness, just bordering on
anxiety, persisted throughout the holiday. Kit teased
her twin about it, when they were setting the white
damask cloth with silver and Mrs. Blairs prized
Wedgwood.
Get your mind off your work, Connie. This is a
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CHAPTER
12
MissingOne Client
disappeared.
Mr. Reid groaned, and as he passed the
conference room he stuck his head in the door.
Connie heard him say, I guess well have to
postpone this confab. Our client seems to have been
detained. Then he went on to his own office and
Connie transferred Miss Lathrop to his wire.
Five minutes later he came back to Connies
desk, looking definitely perplexed. You took the
message from Miss Marville asking that the time of
this conference to be changed from eleven to ten,
didnt you?
Connie nodded. Yes, I did.
When did that call come through?
Connie thought. Wednesday afternoon about
three oclock.
And Miss Marville seemedperfectly all
right?
Perfectly. It was Connies turn to be puzzled,
and she had to bite her tongue to keep from asking,
Why?
Mr. Reid scratched his head behind his ear, where
the dark hair was peppered with gray. Darnedest
thing, he said. She hasnt been home since
yesterday afternoon. He frowned. Better get me
the house.
Connie called the out-of-town number, was
answered by one of the servants, and gave Mr. Reid
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CHAPTER
13
Thin Air
Mr. Renshaw sat in the wing chair beside the unlighted fireplace in Miss Marvilles book-lined
library and bit into a ham sandwich hungrily.
Connie, beside Ruth Lathrop on the couch, was
too absorbed in thought to realize that hers lay
untouched on the Duncan Phyfe end table.
Mary, Mr. Renshaw was saying between bites,
tell me everything you can remember of what Miss
Marville said to you before she left for the stadium
yesterday afternoon.
Mary, who had just put down a tray of coffee and
fruit, to round out the snack she had offered to fix
for her unexpected guests, stood twisting the hem of
her apron.
She didnt say much of anything, the maid said
nervously. Just, Mary, I may be late. Im having
dinner in town. Then she went out the back way to
137
the garage.
Oh, she drove her car? Mr. Renshaw spoke as
though he considered this interesting.
Yes, sir. The Buick. And she was wearin her
mink coat.
I see. And the car hasnt been returned to the
garage, has it?
I dont think so, sir. I never thought to look.
You might look now, Mary, Mr. Renshaw
suggested, and Mary departed a little fearfully in the
direction of the side door. After she had left the
room, the agency head turned to the girls. You
know its just possible, he said, that Miss Marville
just decided to run away from it all for a few days.
She knew she was due to go into production on
Permon next week, and from then on for a couple of
months it would be a push He stopped, as though
he had been unsuccessfully trying to convince
himself.
Miss Lathrop shook her head. Miss Marville is
temperamentalbut not that way.
Mr. Renshaw grinned wryly. Check.
Mary popped her head in the door. No, sir, the
cars not there.
Thank you, Mary.
Is there anything else?
Not just now.
The three sat in silence for a few minutes, sipping
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CHAPTER
14
Night Tour
Music. Dancing.
It wouldnt be near Haverford, by any chance?
Ken snapped his fingers. Now what made yow
think of that? he asked with assumed artlessness.
It occurred to me that you might be interested in
visiting the scene of the crime.
Ken nodded. It occurred to me, too.
What do you expect to find?
The young artist shrugged. Just a curiositymonger.
But Connie shook her head. She knew him better
than that.
Ken folded his paper, after a few minutes, and
reached out to pick up a proof of a full-page ad for
Permon. It was a four-color process proof, as
expensive as it looked, and Ken whistled softly.
When I think of all the money thats being poured
down the drain, oh my!
Every morning, Connie told him, you can
count the new lines in Mr. Renshaws face.
Have you no pity for poor Mr. Reid? bantered
Ken.
Oh, of course! Connie wouldnt let him make a
joke of it. Then suddenly, in the act of unfolding
another advertising proof, she stopped and stared.
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes grew large
with surprise.
Whats the matter, Connie?
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CHAPTER
15
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CHAPTER
16
house.
Connie looked at her wrist watch. Its tenthirty, she said. That ought to be a pretty safe
time, if the caretaker is accustomed to making his
rounds at dawn.
Ken groaned. No times a safe time, let alone the
middle of the morning. Think of the people who will
see usthe Bond Bread man, the milkman, the
garbage collector He started ticking the awful
possibilities off on his fingers.
But Connie was already getting out of the car.
What of it? We look respectable. Nobody would
ever suspect us of illegal entry, Ken.
The artist groaned more loudly than before.
Kenneth Cooper Jailed for Housebreaking. My
poor dear mother!
How are you at climbing? Connie asked.
Ken shot her a look of utter scorn. I used to
work in a circusor maybe I do now.
I dont think well need to pick any outside
locks. Thats something. Connie ignored his
tomfoolery.
Ken gulped. If we did, no doubt youd shoot
them open?
Connie couldnt help giggling at that one, but
they were so near the Wonderley place now that she
was beginning to feel the need of caution. Theres a
trellis at the back of the house, for clematis. It
174
wrong.
One if by land and two if by sea? asked Ken
innocently.
You idiot! Connie whispered. You just wont
take this seriously, will you?
Egad, Im taking it very seriously, Ken insisted.
My very freedom is at stake.
Connie took something long and metallic out of
her handbag, then parked her handbag behind the
trellis.
Whats that? Ken asked.
A file, Connie said matter-of-factly. I
borrowed it from the superintendent this morning.
Golly, Ned! exploded her companion
graphically.
Connie shook the trellis, testing its strength. This
ought to be easy, she said as she started to climb.
Kit and I used to play we were monkeys when we
were kids.
Halfway up she looked back. I think this will
hold you, after all.
Ken gulped, apparently incapable of retort.
Connie was high above him now. She braced herself
to try the window, praying it wasnt locked. Angrily,
she pounded at it.
Youre making an awful racket, he hissed.
A second later Connie said, Ive got it now!
and flung one slender leg over the sill. With easy
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CHAPTER
17
might yet spoil the show. She raced down the stairs
on feet that stumbled from tension and excitement,
trying to remember where she had seen a telephone
on the second floor.
Time was everything now, everything! Connie
ran through two bedrooms before she found the
phone, closeted in a French night table. Suppose it
had been disconnected? For a second her throat felt
thick with alarm.
But there was a comforting buzz on the wire and
in a few seconds a calm voice asked, Number
please?
Get me the police, quickly!
Connies voice was peremptory enough to get
speedy action from the operator. The ring came
almost immediately and the desk sergeant answered
as usual, Lower Merion Police.
Listen carefully, Connie said without preamble,
taking pains to make her voice distinct and
understandable on the other end of the wire. Miss
Cleo Marville has been kept prisoner in the
Wonderley house. This is Connie Blair speaking.
We are with her now. Get out here quickly and if
Im not at the door, break in. Do you understand?
Wait a minute! gasped the astonished
policeman. Do you mean to say?
But Connie didnt answer. She replaced the
receiver in its cradle with the faintest of clicks,
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CHAPTER
18
Bright Tomorrow
Ill try.
Will you Connie looked full into the older
womans eyes as she asked itwill you, when you
see your sister tomorrow, give her the opportunity to
be friends?
She could feel the woman beside her stiffen, and
Connie fully expected to be cut off with a brusque
remark. But she didnt drop her eyes. She was
pleading for herself and for Kit and for Angela
Murray and for all sisters everywhere. Impulsively
she covered Cleos hand with her own. Please! she
said.
Miss Marville looked down at Connies small,
gloved hand, and unexpectedly she relaxed. After a
minute she started to speak, almost haltingly, with
none of her usual assurance.
I know how you feel about Kit, she said. I had
a chance to do a good deal of thinking during the
week I was strapped to that cot. Hours can be long,
but a lifetime is short. I found that out. I kept
remembering things Angela and I used to do
together, back in Indiana, when we were kids. We
were very closeas close, I think, as you and Kit.
Understandingly, Connie nodded. But why?
she wanted to ask, but she was silent, knowing she
would have to let Miss Marville tell as much of the
storyor withhold as muchas she chose.
Im not sure any man in the world is worth
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