New Britain herald., 1924-04-01
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

later to ask about her. There was
 something mighty queer about that
 young lady. Frank, Oh. Frank" l He called back over his shoulder into
 the depths of the garage. then turned once more at Mikes anxious ques-
 ton:
 What do you mean by 'queer'?" ! Crooked, maybe.' Haloran spat
 eopiously, unaware that the enquirer's
 hands had clenched at his reply.
 "All l know myself is that she came
 10 me straight from Giovanni's over there-where we watched you pull
 off that pretty little raid on his game
 just now-and wanted to hire a fast
 car and an expert driver to take her
 to New York. That might have been
 about half-past seven. l let her
 have the best I had for fifty dollars
 the trip
 What make car is 1t: Whats the ] number""
 Halloran gave him a quick glance.
 That's what the young lady asked
 too. Iris a Carmagnac 20, and the
 numbers e7-760 z. Here's Frank
 and he'll show it to you if you like" |
 turned 10 the younger man who had
 emerged sleepily from the garage. Where did you drive the young wo- man 10. in New York, last Tuesday,"
 'Nowheres." Frank grinned. "She changed her mind after We got well started. but as she'd paid in advance and only wanted 10 shorten the trip if was no business Of mine. The carmagnac's just been gone over reupholstcred, painted and the engine oNerhauled--and she ran like a breeze, SO in less than two hours we were hall way to New York. It was then that the young lady-and T. could swear from her speech and manner that she was A lady--leaned forward and touched my shoulder. l slowed down and she asked me what large cities were right near New York. I took her for a stranger. of course. but she hlnffed me, all righ1, guess. Anyhow. told her Orkney City was the nearest with Oldham just this side Of it. She chose Old ham and told me to let her ont at the principal street corner there. Il did, and there was a feller waiting for her"
 ''A--fellow" Mike repeated stupid- ly. His throat went suddenly dry and his temples throbbed.
 Looked like a city detective fo me" commented Frank. "Bane-up clothes but fleshy and his hair plas- tered down like a movie guy He came mp lifting his hat just as she vas getting out and called her by z name I didn't catch. thought she was going to faint at first but she pulled herself together and said: You are mistaken. am Miss Hos mer.' He gave me a slant-cyed look and says quick: Sure you arc. That's what [ said. Your aunt is waiting for you at this address. She's been worrying about you but see you're all right"
 ''Her-aunt." Mike repeated again n though in dazc.
 "Yeah, and when the feIler said he saw she was all right the young lady backed np on to the Sep of the running board again and ] thought if was time for mo 10 butt in. says 10 her: If you like I'll take you 10 that address, miss, if it isn't any further than New York. It's already paid for, you know She looked sort of undecided but the fcller spoke up: That's all sight. chauffeur. I'm a confidential clerk in the employ of this young lady's uncle and if she told you 10 drop her here she knows her own business best. hope you'll hurry miss: your aunts anxious He lifted his hat again and walked off fast up Martin street. the way we'd come, and the young lady stepped down again. gave me a ten dollar tip and started off down Brook | street. It was to the junction of 1 Martin and Brook that I'd brought ] her. I thought it was pretty funny l but I turned back mp Martin street i on my return trip. l didn't see that 1 Teller anywhere end on a hunch I 1 circled the block to Brook again just , to sec if anything was doing and there l on the corner Of Brook and Railroad i avenue he and the young lady was ! talking together as pleasantly and | Friendly as if they'd known each l other all their 1ives.''
 "Is that all?" Mike had reeained | command Of himself and his tone nx- pressed amused contempt at his in- formant's interest.
 NO. it aint." the latter retorted. 1 ''AIl the way from here she was scared to deaih-at the pace ] was hitting up. ] guess-and yet urged me l on faster. and sec how smart she was getting me to name oldham myself. | well knowing that the only busy corr ner in the whole town wss Martin | and Brook. Then she pretended not i to kno* the feller and 10 be scared I or uncertain when he wrote hers aunt's address On that card and | handed # 10 her. She just crumpled it up in her hand without looking at it. so ! didn't get a sight Of tt, either, l was trying to-"
 '1f you were so suspicious of them" Mikes tone was bland. "why didn't you hang around a little longer and see where they went ."
 'T did better than that" declared I Frank. 'T parked the car amongst the others across at the railroad sta ton the better to watch them hut they separated in a few minutes. she going into the side entrance of that ,7ar,s rf -,nnrt store that fronts or