Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
The Yellow
Warning
By
BETSY ALLEN
NEW YORK
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Fabian Furs!
The Unlucky Number
Outside the Gorilla Cage
The Missing Mink
Is Connie Responsible?
Where Is Henry Colt?
The Investigation
Return to the Zoo
Search for a Clue
Night Shift
Cold Comfort
The Chase
Still at Large
One for the Money
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CHAPTER
Fabian Furs!
verve.
Connie nodded, accustomed to the fact that every
client of Reid and Renshaw wanted something
different. But she had been with the agency long
enough, now, to know that there werent very many
really new advertising ideas.
Youve seen the coats I want to have
photographed? Mr. Fabian was continuing.
Yes. Miss Marie just showed them to me.
Mr. Fabian touched the let-out muskrat, which
had been returned to its hanger. This was not
among them?
Oh, no. Connie blushed, a trifle embarrassed. I
was just trying that onfor fun.
There was something so ingenuous about the
manner in which she made the confession that Mr.
Fabians aquiline face softened in a smile. He
slipped the coat from the hanger again, and the
lining, of yellow changeable taffeta, rustled
pleasantly. Is it becoming? Let me see.
But Connie drew back, rather alarmed. II
wasnt considering buying it, she said quickly. I
couldnt afford a fur coatat least not one like
this.
She was thinking of her new raise, received as
she assumed many of the stylists duties previously
performed by Georgia Cameron, who had married
and moved to Bermuda, from where she wrote long
4
Perhaps, perhaps.
She felt a trifle deflated. The way Mr. Jones kept
repeating the word perhaps was absurdly
irritating. Connie was definite in all her reactions
and she liked other people to be definite too. Yes
and no were words she understood, but perhaps
and maybe were such wishy-washy adverbs,
getting nowhere at all.
We havent much time, she reminded the art
director. Mr. Fabian wants to get started as soon as
possible. The first of the ads is scheduled for
Yes, I know, Mr. Jones interrupted. You leave
it to me. Ill think it over. That will be all, Miss
Blair.
As she walked to the door Connie wondered if
her eyes had expressed astonishment at such a curt
dismissal. Reid and Renshaw had always been such
an informal place to work. Even Mr. George
Renshaw wouldnt speak to her quite so briskly. She
felt decidedly chagrined. But by the time she
reached the apartment that evening the excitement of
being the owner of a new fur coat had dissipated her
resentment. She could scarcely wait to tell Aunt Bet!
Elizabeth Easton, the tip of her short nose pink
with cold, came into the lamplit living room with
her arms full of packages and her eyes full of
sparkle. What a dinner were going to have! she
announced. Crabmeat au gratin and avocado salad
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CHAPTER
the zoo.
The zoo? Henrys Adams apple bobbed.
Ymean were doin this job in the zoo?
His astonishment seemed almost alarm, so that
Connie laughed spontaneously. Thats right. Any
objection?
Well, no. But Henry sounded a trifle dubious.
Just so the animals dont take a nip at one of the
coats, eh, Henry? Miss Marie was trying to conquer
her weariness by being jocular.
Theyre behind bars, aint they?
Oh, sure, sure.
Whatll they think of next? Henry asked the
world at large. Takin pictures of fur coats in a
zoo.
Connie laughed, then glanced at her wrist watch.
Wed better get started, she suggested. Were due
at the gate at nine-thirty. Theres something about
the early light being softerphotographers talk I
never quite understand.
Miss Marie again unlocked the door, and Henry
wheeled the rack of furs, cloaked discreetly in a
striped dust jacket, to the rear of the truck. It was
something of a feat to hoist the heavy rack singlehanded into the body of the vehicle, but Henry
accomplished it with a certain pride. Connie,
meanwhile, thanked Miss Marie for her assistance
and climbed into the seat next to the driver.
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CHAPTER
brand-new job.
Donna Jean, who was to wear the otter greatcoat,
recombed her hair and checked her make-up in a
vanity mirror held by Carmen Lovelace, who looked
a trifle indifferent to the whole routine. Henry took
from the rack the coat Connie indicated and held it
while the model slipped into it. The shot called for a
pair of binoculars slung over her shoulder and a
blue-green scarf knotted around her throat. She was
to look casual, sporting, but elegant withal.
Gregory Romes eyes widened in approval when
he saw her. Were doing this in black and white
and also in color, Mr. Jones reminded him, in case
Mr. Fabian decides to take some slick magazine
space.
The photographer nodded understandingly,
although Connie could see that the remark sounded
like a kind of double-talk to Henry. Andrew Macrae,
however, was both comprehending and interested.
When Mr. Jones said, Hadnt she better remove a
little of that lipstick, Greg? he nodded approvingly.
Connie smiled, equally aware that the rouge would
photograph too dark. She went forward and adjusted
the fall of the fur to catch more interesting high
lights. Then the whole company stood back as the
photographer jockeyed his tripod into position and
Donna Jean held her pose.
Chin dropped a little . . . no, too much . . . little
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to know.
Andy Macrae shrugged. Then we bring out one
or another of our secret weapons. He grinned as he
said it but he didnt explain further. Come along to
one of the other buildings, he urged, before we get
arrested for loitering.
Oh, Mr. Macrae! Connie started.
Call me Andy. Everybody does.
Andy, thenI just want to make sure Henry got
the rack of furs out safely. Do you know where he
went?
Well try the Kangaroo House first. That seems
to be the most obvious. Then Mr. Macrae stopped
short. Say! I think the racks still inside there. Wait
a minute.
He turned and sprinted back to the building,
where two keepers were bringing a ladder to rest
against the kitchen window sill, inside which Congo
was still raising a frightful racket, apparently unattracted as yet by the delicacies brought to tempt
him away from his rough play. Connie saw him rap
on the door and signal someone inside, then slip
through as it was opened. A couple of minutes later
he reappeared, trundling the rack of fur coats over
the doorsill and lifting it down the steps with the
help of a member of the zoo staff.
Well! Connie ejaculated. Henry must have
deserted.
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Is Connie Responsible?
Gone?
Griselda stopped dead in her tracks, and a large
woman waddling along behind her had to swerve
sharply to avoid running her down. Laughing
nervously, she asked, But how could it be gone?
Whod care about a fur coat when theres a gorilla
on the rampage? Even a mink. Her too-perfect
features seemed to Connie to be sharpened by
anxiety, but at least she wasnt halfway to Jersey
City, as Carmen had predicted.
Connie shook her head. I dont know, she
admitted as her searching glance again raked the
crowd surging along the narrow walk. For a split
second she sawor thought she sawHenry Colts
head and shoulders behind a huddle of school
children. She lifted a hand to shield her eyes from
the sun, and would have beckoned, but then his face,
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rebuke.
You may as well realize, Miss Blair, that this
whole situation is due to your officiousness, he told
her, almost trembling with rage. If you hadnt
insisted on that shot in front of the gorillas cage
none of this would have happened. By now all
thirteen coats would have been back safely in the
shop, the photographs would be finished, and the job
wound up.
Im really just as sorry as can be, Mr. Jones,
Connie said with the most complete sincerity. I do
realize that
But the art director waved a hand to halt her
apology. The damage is done, he said brusquely,
and if I dont miss my guess a head will roll at Reid
and Renshaws. I just want you to understand, Miss
Blair, that I do not intend it to be mine.
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CHAPTER
The Investigation
Miss Lovelace?
Donna Jean and I were with ConnieMiss
Blair, I mean. I got mixed up with the gang of kids,
and, frankly, I didnt look back once. The gorilla
could have eaten the coat for all I know.
Did you go out of the building before Miss Blair
or after her? Mr. Baker asked.
I wouldnt know for sure, but Id say before.
Anyway, she didnt turn up until later, in the
Kangaroo House, I mean.
Where were you? the detective asked Connie.
With Mr. Macrae, most of the time, she replied
promptly. After the youngsters were taken care of,
I remembered the coats.
After the horse was stolen murmured Mr.
Jones as though to himself, but Connie heard the
criticism and flushed hotly.
Neither the photographer nor Donna Jean John
son had anything new or constructive to contribute
They merely furnished an alibi for each other and a
partial one for Connie Blair. Not one of the group
questioned seemed to remember what Henry Colts
actions had been immediately after Congos escape,
and Henry himself had a rather garbled explanation.
I chucked the coat at the first person handy and
got the heck out, he said rather truculently.
Who was that person? Mr. Baker asked.
I cant remember.
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playing a hunch.
Too impatient to wait for a trolley car, Connie
hailed a cab, and arrived at the north entrance before
the zoo was yet open to the public. Andy met her at
the gate and she told him quickly that Henry Colt
had been taken into custody. The news hadnt yet
reached the zoo director, so the guard established the
previous day was being continued. All visitors and
employees leaving the grounds would have to pass a
rigid inspection until the announcement of Henrys
guilt became official, and this suited Connie
perfectly.
I have a feeling the mink coat is still right here
in the zoo, she insisted. I just cant see how it
could have been spirited out of the grounds in the
short time that elapsed between the gorillas escape
and the time the guard was set up.
Ive been thinking the same thing, Andy
admitted. Though theres one possibility. It could
have been smuggled through the gates in a baby
carriage.
But that would presuppose an accomplice,
Connie said thoughtfully. And this was a spur-ofthe-moment theft.
Right you are, Andy admitted. Well, that
relieves my mind on that score.
Why werent you down at Fabians this
morning? Connie wanted to know, her quick mind
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reminded her for all the world of the heavy mud pies
she and her twin sister had made as children. Burlap
bags full of meal stood stacked in the corners, and
crates of celery, lettuce, oranges, and apples were
awaiting delivery to the various animal houses.
We have a truck that tours around with
provisions, delivering a days supply, he explained.
This is the refrigerator room over here. Want to
take a look?
Great sides of horse meat hung from hooks in the
ceiling. Ill skip this, Connie said ruefully. I
dont think Griselda would have ventured in here.
Because they were determined to be careful, they
inspected the adjacent offices and then went on to
the laboratory next door. Although they took every
opportunity to question zoo employees, not one clue
was uncovered. It was a discouraging morning for
Connie. She felt that somewhere they must have
overlooked something. But what?
It was momentarily heartening to discover that
the police had checked the contents of the trash cans
before they had been emptied the night before. At
least the mink hadnt chosen this way to make its
exit from the grounds. On the other hand, the
number of possible hiding places was narrowed
down considerably. A trash can would have been so
easy, and so plausible.
After lunch they tramped past the paddocks of
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CHAPTER 9
Henrys expression.
Because the guard was put on too quickly for
anyone to have got it clear away.
Henry turned to Andy. You think that too?
Andy was honest. I dont know.
Time was fleeting, so Connie hurried on: The
reason I came here, she told the boy, was to ask
you to think back, just once more, to the minutes
just following the gorillas escape. I know you were
terrified. So was everyoneexcept, she added
ruefully, the thief. But I keep feeling there is
something weve overlooked, some clue that could
lead us to the hiding place before the real criminal
has time to come back and get his prize. And,
Henry, we havent much time. The guard was called
off, you know, after you were identified by Mr.
Hobson.
Henry nodded slowly. He seemed to be thinking
with an effort. Nervously, he ran a hand through his
stringy hair. The trouble is, he confessed, none of
its very clear. I remember seeing the gorilla lift the
latch on the cage and I remember standing stock-still
for a second, just from shock, then tossing the coat
to somebody or other and heading for the door.
You still cant think who you might have tossed
it to?
Nope. It didnt matterthen.
Connie sighed. Go on. What next?
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10
Night Shift
beam.
Oh. Beggin your pardon, Mr. Macrae, I thought
it might be a marauder. The man lowered his
flashlight and Connie blinked, adjusting her eyes
once more to the dark.
We have an errand over at the storehouse. We
shouldnt be more than fifteen minutes. Would you
like to walk over there with us and save me the
trouble of going to my office for a flashlight? Andy
asked.
Sure. No trouble at all. Do you want me to stay
and wait for you?
No. That wont be necessary, Andy said.
Perhaps because he had little opportunity to talk
on his long night vigils, Thomas was a garrulous
soul when he was given the opportunity. As he led
them along he talked about the animals. Theyre
restless tonight, he said. Seems like the wind gets
em stirred up, the way it does some people. My
missus, she hates the wind worse than she hates rat
poison, she does.
Interrupting his monologue came the sound of
thin, ghoulish laughter, carried on the wind Thomas
decried from the direction of the Carnivora House. It
sounded so human that Connie drew close to Andy
in alarm. Whats that?
Just one of the spotted hyenas. They always
scream at night.
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muskrat coat and laid it gently on one of the worktables, snaking sure first that the surface was
reasonably clean. Then, as she started back toward
the stacked burlap bags, her heel caught in the
projecting handle of an overturned bucket and she
pitched forward suddenly, grabbing at the chopping
block for support.
Instead of the edge of the wooden table, her left
hand grazed a cleaver stuck casually into the wood.
At that very moment Andy caught her. Careful
there!
Then he saw the spurting blood.
Ive cut myself. Connie bit her lip, more
annoyed by her clumsiness than by any pain.
You sure have! Andy whistled sympathetically
and pulled a clean linen handkerchief from his
pocket. Run it under the cold waterover here.
He led her to the sink and turned on the tap and
Connie stood there for a few minutes obediently.
Then Andy tore his handkerchief across and
bandaged the palm of her hand tightly. I dont think
its much more than a scratch, he said
comfortingly, but the fleshy part of your hand
always bleeds like mad.
It doesnt hurt much, Connie said.
It will, a little later, Andy retorted honestly.
Dont forget to put some iodine or mercurochrome
on it when you get home.
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11
Cold Comfort
grain bag and sit around and wait, Im agin it. Now
that weve got the coat lets jolly well keep it until
we can put it into Mr. Fabians hands.
Connie had to agree that this was sensible, but
she still didnt want to walk out on an unfinished
task. Besides, a normal curiosity made her anxious
to learn the identity of the criminal. It was such an
unusual, hairbreadth chance to have taken. What sort
of mind would reckon that the terror of the crowd
would make an overt act pass unnoticed or trust to
luck that the coat would remain undiscovered in the
storeroom until a real getaway could be planned?
She returned to her original conviction that the
theft had been a spur-of-the-moment job, and again
she recalled the intensity with which Griselda had
spoken of her longing for a mink coat. She tried to
imagine herself in Griseldas shoes. Henry had just
dropped the coat, perhaps, around her shoulders, or
even had tossed it to her after the gorillas escape.
There she was with the precious mink in her
handsactually in her hands!with nobody else in
the Monkey House caring whether school kept or
not. Might it not be possible that Griseldas account
of her own fright had been faked? Might her mind
not be sharper than anyone had thought?
Even assuming all this, it would be no easy
matter for a girl to break into the storehouse and
recapture the coat. It would be far simpler for a zoo
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rayon.
It would take a dozen of my glances and still I
wouldnt know, admitted Andy. They both look
alike to me.
There! That settles it. Putting the mink coat
aside Connie started to cram the muskrat into the
half-empty grain bag. Lets tie the cord exactly as it
was tied before and get the bag back to its original
position in the stack. Then, if it is an inside job,
nothing will appear to have been disturbed.
Andy helped a trifle dubiously. When everything
was arranged to Connies satisfaction she slipped
into the fabulous mink. Excitement made her gay.
Take a good look at me! She laughed. Youll
never again see me when Im worth quite so much
on the hoof.
Andy chuckled. Your slang certainly doesnt
match your appearance, he teased. It would be
more refinedand completely trueto say that
youre worth your weight in gold.
And then some!
Come on, lets get out of here, Andy urged as
he reached up to click off the electric switch. Well
warn the guards at once. Then the sooner we get to
the police the better Ill like it. Besides, I can admire
you twice as much in bright lights.
The room was suddenly plunged into darkness,
and as Connie went through the open door the night
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laugh.
Andy turned, and Connie sagged against him,
cringing from contact with a side of cold, raw horse
meat which caressed her neck like a slimy hand. He
gathered her tight and held her against his chest
protectively. Neither of them said a word.
For a long moment they listened, imagining they
could hear sounds of movement on the other side of
the insulated door. Then they realized,
simultaneously, that they could hear nothing, and
Connie stirred and straightened in Andys arms.
Dont be afraid, he whispered.
Im not, she fibbed, her voice a mere breath. If
only that horse meat would stop slapping me in the
face.
Andy moved a little to the left, changing position
with Connie so that she could stand backed against
the door. I wonder if theres a window in here. I
cant remember.
Neither can I.
Stay where you are, Andy ordered. Ill
investigate.
Better take it easy, Connie cautioned. Our
visitor doesnt approve of unnecessary noise. It was
hard to be jocular, when her very flesh crawled with
distaste, but she was determined to be as good a
sport as possible. After all, she was responsible for
the position they were now in. If it hadnt been for
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12
The Chase
earsplitting din.
After a minute or so he stopped and waited once
more, while the cords of Connies neck throbbed
with the vibration. Unless Thomas happens to be
passing on his rounds, I dont think this is going to
do a bit of good, Andy had to admit reluctantly.
Were really in a pickle for fair.
Not four minutes had passed since Connies first
scream, and the anticipation of keeping up a clamor
all night long was more than either could
contemplate. They stared helplessly into the
darkness and stamped their feet to ward off the
increasing chill.
Then Connie said, Andy, the men who work in
here, the butcher and the cook
Yes?
Sometimes one or the other of them must be
alone.
I suppose so, Andy agreed. What are you
getting at?
Well, if a man came in here alone and pulled the
door shut after himor the door banged shut by
itself perhapshed be trapped just the way we are.
It doesnt make sense.
Great Scott! Andy pulled the cardboard folder
of matches from his pocket once more, his fingers
trembling. Connie, youre a genius or Im a
congenital idiotIm not sure which.
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13
Still at Large
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CHAPTER
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you?
Connie could feel herself blush. I already have a
date.
Oh! Mr. Renshaw looked understanding. In
that case let me help you on with your new coat.
She slid her arms into the sleeves and stood
stroking the soft fur gently. I wonder why people
get so excited about mink!
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