The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-03-18
Chapter 38
PRISONERS


 a ride-that she had seen so of ten in newspapers-now came home to Enid in all it's bald, stark mean ing. Was death waiting at the end of the road?
 It was like the last ride of the condemned-on the way to execu- tion-and the horror of it had seized upon her.
 There had been moments when she had so very nearly lost her self control-moments when she had so very nearly broken down. To bring shame upon Phil and her self for her cowardice! To invite the. sneers and taunts and ribald laughter of such scum as these; that was all that had saved her. Her pride. The pride that she prayed would still keep her head high at the last
 She knew no illusions. She knew there would be no mercy. She knew what gangland justice" was. She knew that murder was the way these men earned their daily bread. There was no chance-none-unless they, Phil and herself, could in some way make their escape.
 Her thoughts became chaotic. The Big Shot wasn't Roy. .. That would have been horrible now Would Martha ever know? What would Martha do when she re- turned and found that there was no one there any more? It didn't seem even now that this was real It couldn't be real. She had been so happy at Martha's II had been so quiet and homelike. And she had thought that per- haps by working hard she might some day make a little name for herself with her pen That was what she had come for--to study. to gather material and to work . and, instead, this was the result A ride! That dread phrase again! If she The car swerved suddenly, turned into what seemed to be sort of driveway, or lane. bordered with trees, and almost immediately the headlights picked out the outline of a house-a long, rambling house, like a farmhouse it looked as, the car swinging now, the headlights described an arc and swept their rays along the length of the build ing. The car stopped.
 Izzy Myers was prodding at her viciously with the muzzle of his re- yolver Get out" he. ordered harshly.
 She felt her way to the ground It was very dark. The lights of the car had been switched off, and there were no lights showing in any of the windows of the house She looked around her, striving to accommodate her eyes to the dark ness. il
  Phil from the car-and from the scuffling sounds and the snarled oaths which accompanied their com mands, were obviously performing their office none too gently She stood still, obedient to Izzy Myers restraining grip upon her arm.
 She could see a little more clear ly now. They were standing close to the front porch. and now the door of the house was being opened
 'fWho's there?" a mans voice demanded sharply from the dark interior
 T guess you know, don't you?' Izzy Myers grunted in reply.
 "Oh-you, Izzyl" exclaimed tht voice in a tone of relief. Well, had to be sure. You're early, ain you? The trucks won't be along fo another hour"
 Izzy Myers laughed gratingly Well, we've brought you the frs load he said. we've got a coupl of visitors for you here; and tn Big Shot will be along in littl while with Ma Kane-and mayb Pa Kane, too, I dunno. gues you'll have a houseful-but thi pair ain't fussy about their ac commodations. The Big Shot sai to tie them up in the barn unti he gets here"
 "Oh, so that's the lay, is it7 There seemed to be something cage and malicious injected. into tn voice from the doorway. "Surel Al rightl We'll try to make 'em mic and comfortable; I get your
 "Then get move onl" Izzy My CTS jerked out. Bring some rop and lanterni"
 eSurel" said the man. T won be a ininutel"
 And then it seemed to Enid ths for a little while she became curi ously detached from her surround ings. as though she had becom mentally weary to the point of es hoastion, and that her mind stun blcd and refused to function say