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its long blue flame aimed straight at the brassy blonde’s flanks. Babe increased her speed. But Bette stayed right with her.
    They came racing down the lawn toward him. Then Bette tripped and stumbled, the torch flying from her hands. And at practically the same instant, Babe collided head-on with the steel flagpole. The impact knocked her senseless. Leaving her to listen to the birdies. Mitch sat down by Bette and drew her onto his lap. Bette threw her arms around him, hugging him frantically.
    â€œYou’re all right, honey? I was so worried about you! You didn’t really think I meant the way I acted, did you?”
    â€œI wouldn’t have blamed you if you had,” Mitch said.
    â€œWell, I didn’t. Of course, I was awfully mad at you, but you are my husband. I feel like murdering you myself lots of times, but I’m certainly not going to let anyone else do it!”
    â€œThat’s my girl.” Mitch kissed her fondly. “But—”
    â€œI thought it was the best thing to do, honey. Just play dumb, and then go get some help. Well—”
    â€œJust a minute,” Mitch interrupted. “Where’s your car?”
    â€œOver by the ocean.” Bette pointed, continued. “Like I was saying, I found her listening out in the hall. I mean, she ducked away real fast, but I knew she had been listening. So I figured you’d probably be all right for a little while, and I’d better see about her.”
    â€œRight,” Mitch nodded. “You did exactly right, honey.”
    â€œWell, she had a room just a few doors away, Mitch. I guess they had to move her nearby because they didn’t have much time. Anyway, she went in and I went right in with her …”
    She had asked Babe the score. Babe had told her to go jump, and Bette had gone to work on her, ripping off her clothes in the process. Babe had spilled, after a time. Bette had learned, consequently, that there would be no help for Mitch unless she provided it.
    â€œSo I locked her in and went back to your room. But you were gone, and I guessed you must be all right from the looks of things. That guy in the bathtub, I mean.” Bette burst into giggles, remembering. “He looked so funny, Mitch! How in the world do you ever think of those stunts?”
    â€œJust comes natural, I guess,” Mitch murmured modestly. “Go on, precious.”
    â€œWell, I went back to her room, and the clerk called and said you were threatening to blow up the place. But she wouldn’t go for it. She said she was going to stay right there, no matter what, and anyway you were just bluffing. Well, I was pretty sure you were, too, but I knew you wanted to get her outside. So I went out in the hall again and dug up that big cigar lighter—”
    Mitch chuckled, and kissed her again. “You did fine, baby. I’m really proud of you. You gave her a good frisk, I suppose? Searched her baggage?”
    Bette nodded, biting her lip. “Yes, Mitch. She doesn’t have the money.”
    â€œDon’t look so down about it—” he gave her a little pat. “I didn’t figure she’d keep it with her. She’s ditched it outside somewhere.”
    â€œBut, Mitch, you don’t understand. I talked to her, and—”
    â€œI know. She’s a very stubborn girl.” Mitch got to his feet. “But I’ll fix that.”
    â€œBut, Mitch—she told me where she put the money. When I was chasing her with the torch.”
    â€œTold you! Why didn’t you say so? Where is it, for Pete’s sake?”
    â€œIt isn’t,” Bette said miserably. “But it was.” She pointed toward the hotel. “It was up there.”
    â€œHuh? What are you talking about?”
    â€œShe … she mailed it to herself.”
    4.
    S ICK WITH SELF-DISGUST, Mitch climbed behind the wheel of Bette’s car and turned it onto the highway. Bette studied his dark