New Britain herald., 1928-03-13

from the car. A wild thought had , flashed through his mind to wallop ! his captor and run on the chance of
 getting away and then finding help 10 rescue Nita. A moments reflec- 1 tion showed him the folly of such | thing. The other fellow would shoot ! him before he had taken six steps. No, he must wait for an opportune moment, or for the affair to straighten itself ou,.
 Here We are. good folkses.
 chirp"d the cheerful smart-cra cker. and leader of the pair. An watch yer step, loidy-pick up yer French
 heels. We're wendin' our way up-
 ward an yew might step on yer skirt.'
 Jack aughed-the ringing. mir,h- full laugh that invariably melted list eners 10 laugh with him. And the joke Was in truth, really worth q laugh. Even the dignified and right eousiy indignant Miss Rayelle had to emit a little flapper-like giggle. Just to think of the position she NoiIl lltAt u dtldlIi tO step CIl l1ti own skirt.
 Pete, who had all of an English mans rare aptitude for catching the points wanted 10 know ot the bloody 'ell ga bitin' ye hall? Soak me bloomin' heye, Emery, if Oi habout, hanay owl"
 Henry. So that was the fellows name, lhen--the man whose tight grip on his arms at that moment vas lifting Jack Stuart by main force up the long spiral stairway.
 Much obliged to know you, at last, Mister 'Ennery." he said. turn ing his head all bound round with q wooden rag toward his escort on the right. At that instant he heard a click and observed a faint radiance through the folds of the kerchief tied around his head.
 Remove th' filly's binder first. Pete.' commanded 'Ennery. 4 mo- ment later Jack felt the fellows skinny fingers unfastening the knot of his own "blinder' and then it was jerked free.
 For a second or two his sight swam in haze. Then it cleared. He looked around, and that which he saw startled him. although he would have been puzzled at the mo- ment 10 explain why, if he had been asked
 b.. Iirr+ ri, %o ,-t, t,, tention were the figures of the two men. The one standing at his right and evidently the leader. who had done all, or nearly all, the talking, was fully six feet tall. broad shoul lered and narrow-h -hipped. an athlete by all the signs of the zodiac
 The other was bandy-leggcd and round shouldered, and by his voice and dialect. q typical Cockney. Both men wore black masks that hid face. ears and throat-most effectual GOV erings. Nita Ravelle a half-frjght- i med. angry look in her beautiful 1 face, stood near the Englishman. i
 lt might have been the apartment 1 that drew Jacks gaze. This consist cd of a furnished room, with a l large bed and with 8 big bathroom l adjoining The door Of the bathroom 1 was open, disclosing a refrigerator ! and a rack with numerous bath and l face towels. Evidently the apart mcnt of a person with fastidious tastes. Three windows look out | from one side of the big room. , lacks first quick glance informed | him that exit through any of these windows was made impossible by a | heavy wire screen.
 Now, you two listen" !
 The big mans voice sounded like the bark of a Sea lion. hoarse, with i a short. spiteful quality in it's timber, that gave the lie to the seeming sense of humor in his talk. He was looking toward Jack-at least his body was turned in that direction. The mask on his face gave the un- canny impression of a live body with q manneqnin's head.
 Its half-past eight" he went on, shooting a swift glance at the small clock on the magnificent dresser that graccd on. corner of the room 'Pete'n I are goin' ttoWn. We cant get back t'night. so that means you'uns have gotta stay here. There's, q colored gemmun who'll i bring your breckfust--and other meals, if you decide to stay any length of time. Thatll be up to you uns after t'morra mornin'.
 "Now comes tn funny part.