WHISPERING TONGUES BLAMED HER .sx WHEN BOB ARCHER'S wife ANNE , disappears , the police believe it is because she is guilty of poisoning Bob's mother .sx Actually , however , she is being held prisoner by VERA CORBETT , Mrs ARCHER'S ex-maid .sx It was Vera who killed Bob's mother and she knows Anne can give her away .sx ARTHUR HEDLEY , Vera's boy-friend , also knows of her guilt , but he is too deeply involved to back out .sx It is a shock to Vera when she discovers that the old house where she is keeping Anne is not uninhabited , as she believed , but is occupied by an old man and his housekeeper .sx And the grounds are guarded by a pair of fierce dogs , so there is no escape .sx Luckily , however , the old man seldom comes near the wing where Vera is hiding Anne and has no idea they are there .sx One day when he does come he leaves behind a local paper .sx Studying it casually Vera sees she has been left +2000 in Mrs Archer's will .sx " Two thousand pounds !sx " she gasps turning to look down at Anne .sx " It's a fortune !sx I'm getting out of here , no matter what happens to you !sx " Now Read On .sx VERA stared at the paper , her brain reeling .sx Two thousand pounds !sx Already her mind was racing .sx When you came to think of it , what was there to stop her turning up to claim the money ?sx The police had nothing on her , especially now Anne was out of the way .sx There were all sorts of difficulties to overcome , of course .sx First , there was the problem of getting out of the house .sx Second , the question of what she could do with Anne .sx Finally , how was she going to explain to the police why she had disappeared ?sx The second and third snags she pushed aside for the moment .sx She would find some way round them when the time came .sx She'd come back for Anne and hide her somewhere else .sx She'd think of some story to tell the police .sx But getting out of the house unseen- that baffled her .sx Those two bull terriers were never out of the garden and it was easy to see how savage they were .sx Why , whenever a tradesman called at the door , look how they raced round , snarling and barking until he went away again .sx Then suddenly Vera caught her breath .sx That was her answer !sx Next time a tradesman came !sx Sometimes he would be there for three or four minutes .sx If she was quick , if she opened a downstairs window the moment the dogs rushed round to snarl at the tradesman , if she ran as fast as she could to the railway embankment , she might do it !sx With sudden decision she began to bind and gag Anne .sx " I'll be back for you- later .sx " She gave a mirthless laugh .sx " You won't be very comfortable , but you'll be safe enough for twenty-four hours .sx " In her dull , dazed way , Anne didn't even try to struggle .sx Without a backward glance , Vera tiptoed downstairs to wait .sx When it came to the bit , every second would count .sx She slipped the catch off one window and stood waiting impatiently .sx It seemed hours before her chance came .sx The dogs began to bark furiously , but the sound died away as they raced round to the other side of the house .sx Vera threw up the window and scrambled out , racing blindly towards the fence at the foot of the garden .sx Seconds later , panting , her coat torn and her hands bleeding , she tumbled to safety on the other side .sx She lay for a full minute , getting her breath back .sx But there was triumph in her heart .sx She'd made it !sx She straightened presently and dusted herself down .sx Then she stumbled along the embankment till she reached a point right beside the main Mardsley road .sx There she caught a bus that would take her right into Mardsley .sx It was later than Vera had realised- nearly midday- but that suited her well enough .sx Before she went to the police station she wanted to have a word with Arthur Hedley .sx Then , if the police did hold her for questioning , Arthur could do something about getting Anne away from that house .sx The bus dropped her almost opposite the factory where Arthur worked .sx The rest was easy , just a matter of waiting in the shadow of a doorway until the men began to trickle out .sx Presently Arthur came out .sx He was alone .sx " Arthur .sx " She spoke his name very quietly .sx He spun round .sx " Vera !sx " His eyes darted uneasily up and down the street .sx " Cross over , quick !sx " he muttered .sx It must come now- the showdown between Anne Vardon and her greatest enemy .sx " We'll go to Church Walk- there won't be anyone about .sx " They walked quickly , not speaking until they got to the deserted lane .sx Then Arthur wheeled on her sharply .sx " Why have you come here ?sx How did- ?sx " " Take it easy .sx I had to come back when I discovered about the money .sx " " You know that ?sx " he gasped .sx " But how ?sx " " Never mind that just now .sx Just listen carefully .sx I told you where Anne and I were hiding .sx Well , I got out , but I had to leave her behind .sx But we've got to get her away to some other place as soon as we can .sx " " But what about the dogs ?sx You said- " " We can throw them some poisoned meat .sx But there's just one thing .sx You'll have to go alone if the police hold me for questioning .sx " " The police !sx " " Don't be a fool , Arthur !sx " she said sharply .sx " I can't claim the money without seeing the police .sx I'm on my way there now .sx " He stared at her .sx " You'll never get away with it !sx " " Why not ?sx " she asked coolly .sx " The police haven't anything on me .sx The only danger is if you lose your head and do anything silly .sx Now off you go .sx If the police don't keep me I'll be waiting for you when you finish tonight .sx " VERA CORBETT knew now just what she was going to tell the police .sx It was gloriously simple with Anne out of the way and unable to contradict her .sx All the same , her heart was beating a little faster with nervousness as she walked up the steps of the police station .sx As it happened , Detective-Sergeant Willis was with the desk sergeant when she went in .sx He glanced idly round and stiffened sharply .sx " You !sx " he gasped .sx Then he recovered himself a little .sx " Would you mind stepping into my room ?sx " Apparently completely at ease , she watched him close the door carefully behind them .sx " Now then .sx " He turned to face her .sx " Where have you been ?sx Why did you go away ?sx " " I've been in London .sx " She gave him the address where she really had stayed .sx " But if you want to know why I went there , you'll have to ask Anne Archer .sx It was her idea .sx " The detective frowned .sx " Her idea ?sx What are you driving at ?sx " " She paid me to go and live there under another name .sx Don't ask me why .sx She was paying good money , so I didn't ask too many questions .sx Besides , there was no reason why I shouldn't go .sx I'd quarrelled with my boy friend , and I wasn't happy at home .sx So I just went like she asked me to , and told nobody .sx " He was staggered .sx " But- good heavens , you must have some idea why she asked you to do a thing like that !sx " She shook her head .sx " I tell you I didn't ask many questions .sx " It was such an incredible story that it rang completely true- because Willis thought he knew the answer to his own question .sx All the same .sx . " I suppose it never occurred to you that you were reported missing ?sx " he said sharply .sx " Didn't you read the papers ?sx " She shrugged .sx " I've never been one for reading newspapers .sx I mean , the London ones .sx It's different with local ones .sx " He swore softly under his breath .sx " What brought you back , then ?sx " " Anne Archer stopped sending me money , so I decided to come and see her .sx " " Anne Archer stopped sending you money ?sx That's why you came back ?sx When did she stop ?sx " He shot the questions at her .sx " About a week ago .sx " He nodded slowly .sx It all fitted .sx " But why come to me ?sx " he asked sharply .sx " When I got here I bought a local paper .sx I read how old Mrs Archer had died and left me some money .sx " She smiled at him innocently .sx " I couldn't believe my eyes at first .sx But I thought the best thing to do was come and see you .sx I knew you'd tell me what to do .sx " He was silent a moment .sx " Did you know that Anne Archer accused you of trying to poison her mother-in-law ?sx " " Me ?sx " Vera pretended to be completely staggered .sx Then anger came into her face .sx " What a dreadful thing to say !sx How could she !sx What possible reason could I have ?sx " " There's the money Mrs Archer left you in her will , " he pointed out sharply .sx " Don't be silly !sx That will wasn't made until after I'd gone away !sx " Willis fairly pounced on that .sx " How do you know ?sx " " Because I witnessed all the other wills she ever made , " Vera said simply .sx " And I read them all .sx " Her face darkened again .sx " Just wait till I see Anne Archer !sx She can't get away with saying things like that !sx " " Anne Archer has disappeared , " he said quietly .sx " Disappeared !sx " Once again she looked staggered .sx " But why on earth- " And then she broke off , catching her breath .sx " Don't you see ?sx " she breathed .sx " It all fits in !sx She sent me to London so she could accuse me of trying to kill the old lady !sx Then for some reason she got the wind up and cleared out .sx " That was exactly what Willis had been thinking , too .sx " Very well .sx " His voice was a little weary .sx " You can go , but I'll want you again .sx " " I can go ?sx " Vera echoed indignantly .sx " What do you mean ?sx I came here of my own free will , and don't you forget it .sx I told you I came to ask you what I should do about claiming the money .sx " Briefly he explained what she must do , then saw her out .sx Vera walked down the street more confident than ever .sx WILLIS had said nothing to her about going to see Bob Archer .sx But the first place she made for was his home .sx She reasoned that it would be the natural thing for her to do if she really had been innocent .sx Bob gasped when he saw her .sx " Vera !sx Where on earth have you come from ?sx " " I heard about your trouble , Mr Archer , " she said quietly .sx " I mean about your mother's death and the way your wife has disappeared .sx I- I just thought I'd like to say how sorry I am .sx " He looked at her sharply .sx " But where have you been ?sx What made you come back ?sx Did you read about my mother leaving you money ?sx " She shook her head .sx " Not till I got back to Mardsley !sx " " Then why did you come ?sx " She hesitated .sx " I- I don't really like to tell you , " she said reluctantly .sx " It was easier to tell the police .sx " But she did tell him all the same .sx Bob listened in silence , his face strained .sx But when she finished his eyes were hard .sx " These are very grave accusations you're making , Vera , especially as my wife isn't here to defend herself !sx " " I don't care !sx " Vera said hotly .sx " How dare she accuse me of poisoning your mother ?sx " Her voice softened .sx " Oh , Mr Archer , I don't want to hurt your feelings at a time like this , but there's a lot I could tell you .sx " She pursed her lips .sx " She's a bad one .sx Look at the names she called your mother- the things she even said about you behind your back .sx You'd never believe- " " That's enough !sx " he cut in harshly .sx " I don't care !sx " Vera repeated angrily .sx " I know Anne Vardon better than you do , even if she is your wife .sx Don't forget who she is !sx Remember what her father was !sx " Bob's jaw tightened .sx " I think you've said quite enough , " he said harshly .sx " You'd better go now .sx " She shrugged and turned on her heel .sx