Evening star., 1932-11-13
BY JAMES B. CRANE.
INSTALLMENT I.


~ ON RANDALL woke up with some
1 thing Jerking sharply at his big toe.
He sat up groggily. rubbing his eyes
u and wondering seepily what was
happening Three more vigorous
yanks at his toe brought soft
"Ouch!" from his lips and woke him fully.
His eyes in the darkness barely made out the
string extending from under the bed covers
and running out the window His brain cleared.
Reaching down under the sheet, he grabbed
the string tied to his toe, and gave 1t three
strong pulls. Then he united it and slipped
out of bed.
He strained his eyes to see the clock on the
dresser Two O'Clock. Eddie was on time. sure
enough Two o'clock. It was dark and quiet,
and 4 soft breeze stirred the curtains at the
window.
Hurriedy he slipped off his pajamas. AS
he thrust his legs into his trousers he thought
of the plan for the night. Tonight there was
to be the first meeting of the Young Detectives
Secret Service Club, formed just that after
noon He and Eddie Adams and Jack Ball
had decided that as long the club was
secret organization, they'd better have their
meetings at night. Eddie had promised he
would be at Don's at 2 O'Clock to pull the string
and wake Don UP. Then they were going to get
Jack.
Tiptoeing Don crept down the back stairs
and out the door breathing a soft Hi" as the
door closed behind him.
HI, DOn EQOle nOarSc Whisper CaIlc lIOul
the darkness "You sure took long time"
nON went quietly, down the steps to the yard,
- and as Eddie walked over to meet him. put
his fingers to his lips and crept toward the back
gate. beckoning Eddie to follow. They moved
softly down the lane few hundred feet before
either spoke So
They were about the same build-clean,
strong boys of IA Don was slightly taller, but
Eddie had broader shoulders. Above these
shoulders was mass of uncomfortable, flaming
red hair. and underneath this hair was a rest
less brain, always wanting to do" and ever
curious and eager. Don, little steadier and
more mature, was natural leader Eddie and
Jack looked upon him as such, but none of the
three consciously realized it.
'WhewI" Don breathed II thought sure Dad
or Mother would hear me- nearly yelled out
loud when you pulled the second time-you
nearly yanked my toe off,
Jaw, pulled easy" replied Eddie scornfully.
Anyway, it wasn't the second tfme-it was
the fifth. never saw anybody so hard to wake
up"
"Shhh, be quiet" muttered Don. Were get
ting near Jacks
In few minutes Jack was with them, after
a near disaster, when Eddie and Don, fighting
over who should pull the string. jerked together
and fell down, dragging Jack abruptly from his
bed
whats the matter with you guys, anyway"
demanded Jack when the three had walked far
enough from the house not to be heard.
Want to kill guy, dragging him out of bed
that way? My toe feels like it's been in vise!'
JACK was 15-a year older than Don and
- Eddie. but a close friend. The three were
inseplrable. Jack, more conservative than
either of the others, seldom took the initiative
in anything they did
After a brief but spirited argument about
Jacks sudden awakening, the three boys forgot
their differences in the excitement of being
out alone so late, and fell to discussing plans
for the meeting. Walking hurriedly, they hud-
died close together, glancng apprehensively at
dark shadows and dim forms. -
Near the edge of town, where the streets were
not so Well Illuminated. they lit their fash;
lights, and hurried faster.