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