The Holbrook news., 1922-08-04

asriver. The storm had driven most people indoors. but as the westerner drew near the drug store Clay saw with relief taxicab draw up outside. Its driver, crouched In his seat behind the waterproof apron as far back as possible from the rain, promptly ac- cepted Lindsay as a fare.
 Back in a minute" Clay told him. and passed into the drug store.
 The abduction was still being dis cussed. He pushed home questions as to identification. One of the men in the drug store had caught a flash of the car number. He was sure the first four figures were 3967. The fifth he did rot remember. The car was dark blue and 1t looked like a taxi. This in-. formation Clay got the owner of the store to forward to the police
 He did not wait to give 1t personal iy, but joined Johnnie in the cab. The address he gave to the driver with the waterproof hat pulled down over his head was that of a certain place of amusement known as Heath's Palace OA w OhuClS- A MODidn MuntCu tO consult was wont to sit behind win dow there at the receipt of customs. Miss Annie Millikan's pert smile beamed through the window at Clay when he stepped up.
 Hello, Mir. Flat-Worker," she sang out. How many?"
 Clay explained that his business was serious. i've got to see you alone now," he added.
 If you gotta you gotta" The girl called an usher, who found a second usher to take her place.
 Annie walked down the street few steps beside Clay.
 What's the big idea ;n callin' me from me job in the rush hours?' she asked.
 Clay told his story.
 "Some of Jerry's strong-arm work" she commented.
 Must be. Can you help me?"
 Annie looked straight at him, hu- morous little quirk to her mouth. Say, what're you askin' me to do t'rOw down my steady?"
 Annie was pretty, and inevitably she had lovers. One of these was "Slim" Jim Collins, confidential follower of Jerry Durand. He was a crook, and she knew it. But some quality in him his good looks, perhaps, or his game ness-fascinated her in spite of her self. She avoided him, even while she found herself pleased to go to COney with an escort so well dressed and so glibly confident. Another of her ad- mirers was policeman, Tim Muldoon by name, the same one that had res cued Clay from the savagery of Du- rand outside the Sea Siren. Tim she liked. But for all his Irish ardor he was wary. He had never asked her to marry him. She thought she knew the reason. He did not want for a wife woman who had been "Slim" Jim's girl.
 Clay had come to Annie Millikan now because of what she had told him about "Slim" Jim. This man was one of Durand's stand-bys. If there was any underground work to be done it was odds-on chance that he would be in charge of it.
 I'm askin' you to stand by poor girl that's in trouble" he said in an- swer to her question. You wouldn't let Durand spoil her life if you could stop it."
 "Well, what's my cue? Where do I come in on this rescue-the-beautifu heroine act?"
 "When did you see Slim Jim last?"
 q might "a seen him this afternoon an I might not" she said cautiously, looking at him from under a broad hat-brim. Say, what's the layout? Are you framin' Jim for up the river?"
 I'm tryin' to save Kitty"
 Because she's your goil. Where do come in at? Whats there in it for