The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-18

window. A sleek, fat, .blue-gray bird alighted on the small porch, thrust an explorative beak inside and quickly disappeared. Doves are my favorites," said Benito. That little uh-huh of theirs is just like lady's thank you. Doves are the politest birds of all"
 "Yes?"
 Benito moved slowly across the wood toward the house and Bard | moved Nas if to follow. But he thought better of it and returned to the robins house. l. This hinge Is loose," he called after Benito. "I1l fix 1t for you.'' "Be slow with birds" cautioned Benito. Be gentle. That's what birds like"
 A few minutes later his large face, affectionate and kind, was beaming down from his attic win fresh water and scattered the rest of the seed upon the little floor
 Hear him. MT Bard!' he called down cheerily. ''Uh-huh!-Thank you. Uh-huh! - Thank you. Doves are the incest" Benito pounded his hands softly one upon the other to dust the bird seed from his palms. "Uh-huh! Thank you" he re- peated gently. But Bard. staring intently up from lowered head saw that his hand adroitly touched small spring door which slid noiselessly across the opening Of the small house, i'm prisoning the birds with in.
 After that there was dreary wait ing. Angelo, at their instructions, carried out the luncheon Pietro pre- pared for them, and they ate alone, in silence, sprawled out on the grass above the boat landing.
 At two o'clock. unable to endure the suspense, Phil called on the telephone from Doorndee.
 "No sign of Ginger" was all that Bard could say.
 More dreary waiting.
 Occasionally, when they had op- portunity, the boys conferred in low voices.
 "Either they've already = done something to her." said Bard, in tone of deep dejection, Tor we've got to give them a chance. Maybe they are waiting to turn her loose when we are out of sight"
 But where have they got herr" demanded Eddy. She's not here. I'd swear it. We've ransacked the place a hundred times"
 We've got to follow Benito," said Bard. "The first chance he gets he'll go where the others are where they've got her hidden. He's our only hope"
 They stretched out dejectedly on the grass again, lying opposite each other, so that between them they could command broad view of house. and woods and river.
 Benito came down a few minutes later. He was wiping great beads of sweat from his brow.
 "This is terrible" he said, just terrible. The waiting is worst of do something
 Nothing to do that I can see." muttered Bard.
 God, the suspense" ejaculated Benito.
 Nor was his emotion assumed. Benito was in what Ginger herself would have called a terrible jam. And it was all due to what he called his greatness of soul, his supreme and unchanging kindness.
 In his solicitude for Ginger he had given her but the scantiest pos- sible portions of sleeping tablets" not wishing her even to feel sick after her experience. Now by his very kindness he had subjected himself to terrible danger. Ginger might "come to" at any minute. Benito abhorred the very thought of suffering and death, but obvious ly mans first duty was to him. self.
 Let's go fishing" he said. Come on out and fish. Fishing's very good to get the mind off one thing and on to another
 The boys shook their heads.
 Well, I'll go,'' said Benito. q cant stand this any longer. I'll go fishing. If you want me, you call me. I'll be right there. God, what suspense"
 Gro Be Continued)