Part 17 (2/2)

She smiled--a highly cryptic smile. For a man as brilliant and as penetrant in every other respect ... but after all, if the big dope didn't realize that half the women aboard, including Sandy, had been making pa.s.ses at him, she certainly wouldn't enlighten him. Besides, that one particular area of obtuseness was a real part of his charm.

Wherefore she said merely: ”I'm not sure whether I'm a bit catty or you're a bit stupid. Anyway, it's Alex she's really in love with. And you already know about Bill and me.”

”Of course. He's tops. One of the world's very finest. You're in the same bracket, and as a couple you're a drive fit. One in a million.”

”Now I can say 'I love you, too', too.” She paused for half a minute, then stubbed out her cigarette and shrugged. ”Now I'm going to stick my neck way, way out. You can knock it off if you like. She's a tremendous lot of woman, and if ... well, strong as she is, it'd shatter her to bits. So, I'd like to ask ... I don't quite ... well, _is_ she going to get hurt?”

”Have I managed to hide it _that_ well? From _you_?”

It was her turn to show relief. ”Perfectly. Even--or especially--that time you kissed her. So d.a.m.ned perfectly that I've been scared green.

I've been waking myself up, screaming, in the middle of the night. You couldn't let on, of course. That's the h.e.l.l of such a job as yours. The rest of us can smooch around all over the place. I knew the question was extremely improper--thanks a million for answering it.”

”I haven't started to answer it yet. I said I'd lay everything on the line, so here it is. Saying she's a tremendous lot of woman is like calling the _Perseus_ a nice little baby's-bathtub toy boat. I'd go to h.e.l.l for her any time, cheerfully, standing straight up, wading into brimstone and lava up to the eyeb.a.l.l.s. If anything ever hurts her it'll be because I'm not man enough to block it. And just the minute this d.a.m.ned job is over, or even sooner if enough of you couples make it so I can ...”

”Jarvis!” she shrieked. Jumping up, she kissed him enthusiastically.

”That's just wonderful!”

He thought it was pretty wonderful, too; and after ten minutes more of conversation he got up and turned toward the door.

”I feel a lot better, Teddy. Thanks for being such a nice pressure-relief valve. Would you mind it too much if I come in and sob on your bosom again some day?”

”I'd love it!” She laughed; then, as he again started to leave: ”Wait a minute, I'm thinking ... it'd be more fun to sob on _her_ bosom. You haven't even kissed her yet, have you? I mean _really_ kissed her?”

”You know I haven't. She's the one person aboard I can't be alone with for a second.”

”True. But I know of one chaperone who could become deaf and blind,” she said, with a broad and happy grin. ”On my door, you know, there's a huge invisible sign that says, to everyone except you, 'STOP! BRAIN AT WORK!

SILENCE!', and if I were properly approached and sufficiently urged, I might ... I just _conceivably_ might ...”

”Consider it done, you little sweetheart! Up to and including my most vigorous and most insidious attempts at seduction.”

”Done. Maneuver your big, husky carca.s.s around here behind the desk so the door can open.” She flipped a switch and punched a number. ”I can call anybody in here, any time, you know. h.e.l.lo, dear, this is Teddy.

Can you come in for just a few minutes? Thanks.” And, one minute later, there came a light tap on the door.

”Come in,” Teddy called, and Temple Bells entered the room. She showed no surprise at seeing Hilton.

”Hi, chief,” she said. ”It must be something both big and tough, to have you and Teddy both on it.”

”You're so right. It was very big and very tough. But it's solved, darling, so ...”

”_Darling?_” she gasped, almost inaudibly, both hands flying to her throat. Her eyes flashed toward the other woman.

”Teddy knows all about us--accessory before, during and after the fact.”

”_Darling!_” This time, the word was a shriek. She extended both arms and started forward.

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