The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-01-20
GODDESS

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g1owed and vanished upon hilIsides
q quarter mile to the north.
Frank stepped behind his impro-
vised barricade Of stones and drew
his weapon. The stones across the
road would stop the car he was sure
unless the driver elected to crash
tas0ugh.
II the driver suspected he was
being stopped he might make the
attempt; it did not matter whether
the car was the one he awaited or
some stranger. The drivers rsa ton
seeing an armed man waiting on
the other side OF the barricade-
would be the same.
He withdrew to the side and
Ecrouched behind q larger boulder.
Headlights gIared from behind the
nearest turn. The engine reared
spasrnodically as the car iurched
over the une.en road-bed.
Frank could not discover the cars
make or condition behind the daz.
ding Hight. The automobile ap.
preached thefo ks strung across the
Foad: he heard the springs squeak
their protest at the jouncing. Brakes
sQuealed. A Ian. within the car
called something unintelIigiBle. He
heard the ratchet Of the mandrake
click.
As the drivers door opened he
saw suddenly that this was the tan
car that had crashed Janice Kenfs
motor 1t the Hollywood intersection
three iafgs {: before. New. however.
the top was up and. the sidescurtains
fastened. He arose from behind his
boulder and Ieaped forward.
a MAN stepped out. OF the open
4 door. Startled recognition Ieaped
into his eyes as he saw Grahame.
Over lifs shoulder Frank was con-
sci0us Of q CLEAN OF metal Fnstinc-
lively he swerved.
Flame stabbed from Within the
CARA gun crashed. Frank felt the
tug 0f the passing bullet at the side
Of his coat. The drivers hand was
thrust within his coat lapel Before
he could withdraw It. Frank swung
his pistol forward.
The heavy barrel met the forehead
Of the other. The driver Iurched
backward against fender. Grahame
SWING and dropped to his knees.
Again the gun from within the car
rOaFed.
Frank threw up the muzzle OF his
weapon and fired at the fash. A man
cried out: there was the clang Of
metal A door struck tinnily against
the side OF the car.
SpFingine TO his feet. Frank tore
at the reaF door OF the car. He jerked
II open. twisted Sideways and thrust
his gun within. Instantly he saw that
the two opposite doors were open.
Through the other rear door he saw
two men clawing up the short EN-
bankment.
The one to the left thrust up his
hand gripping az a road post. 1t was
blackspotted with blood. As ne
watched. the other. q smaller man,
drew himself erect upon the top Of
che bank. His face was In profile
The nose was disproportionaiely
large. i hooked beak Of a nose. preda.
tory ana suttarine. franks gun Mt
ed; bic trigger anser contracted
slightly. lie did not IRE. but shook
lis head 10 throw or the confusing
mist the clash Lad induced. He
dropped MS arm: be peered into the
dark recess OF the tonneau.
janice Kent was there. Her face
wss vague. her eyes round aud star.
IAg. he saw that she was gagged.
FumblingIy ne worked AZ the Rnot
e the back OF her neck. n was con.
scions OF a curious combination of
odoss-the acrid tang Of exploded
eunpowdep and q fragrance that was
janice Kent's hafr. HIS hands shook
q little.
The cloth ahOnt her mouth
dropped. He lowered his arms and
eneircled her. ne lifted her from the
seat and backed Though the door.
Setting her upon the ground he saw
that A4r hands we're lied. Il took him
but an instant to loosen the knots.
She swayed coward him. Fora sIs-
tFessing Instant he thought that she
wan about 20 faint. he put Ais arms
scout her to hos8 her upright: curl.
Dusty she did not fall. but pressed
agalnst him: her hands gripped the
cloth OF his cost tlHhlIy.
sJanlce!" be mutteFed Q little
hoarsely. -. yon all rfghtr
Her cheek seemed to press hts
lapel. Sne murmuFed. Il don't know.
I think 90. -"
Nearby q masculine voice spoke
an1iously. "she all right. Frank?
They haven't-"
Sharply Janice Kent withdrew
from Franks support They looked
toward the voie0. WinsIow stood IN
the lisht Of the ears headlights.
SORRY. folk2 ] tust came q. Didn't
mean to intercept the FeIia nearly
kicked my tace h . minute ago on
he Way over q, hiiL He vas Ger.
taInly going places"
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