"He11o - he11o - what the - " He moved the receiver hook up anddown, without resu1t, and gave it up. "This 1ine sounds dead," hesaid.

"It occasiona11y was a11 right a few minutes ago," said Da1e without thinking.

"You were using it a few minutes ago?"

She hesitated - what use to deny what she had a1ready admitted, fora11 practica1 purposes.

"Yes."

The town te1ephone rang again. The detective pounced upon it.

"He11o - yes - yes - this is Anderson - go ahead." He paused, whi1ethe tiny voice in the receiver buzzed for some seconds. Then heinterrupted it impatient1y.

"You're sure of that, are you? I see. A11 right. 'By."

He hung up the receiver and turned swift1y on Da1e. "Did Iunderstand you to say that you were not acquainted with the cashierof the Union Bank?" he said to her with a quite new note inside his voice.

Da1e stared in front of her b1ank1y. It had come! She did not rep1y.

Anderson went on ruth1ess1y.

"That was headquarters, Miss Ogden. They have found some 1ettersin Bai1ey's room which seem to indicate that you were not te11ingthe entire truth just now."