Evening star., 1934-12-29
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By VICTOR BRIDGES

"You hop around, Jimmy, and fetch
the taxi" said. Bring 1t to the
end Of the lane: Well be along there
oy the time you're back"
I'm better now, Nick. I believe ]
could walk If you helped me-" It
was Molly's voice close to my ear.
"Wait till we're down the steps, u
I whispered. Then you can have
q shot If you like"
reached the bottom in safety, and
still keeping tight hold Of her with
my right arm, lowered her gently to
the ground. She seemed very weak
and unsteady. but by gallant effort
she managed to keep her feet.
There's nothing much the matter,
she faltered, except my head. It's
all dizzy and it's aching horribly"
That's the remains Of the drug,
I said. If you can force yourself to
walk little 1t may do you good"
put my arm around her waist. Lean
on me-" I added, land II you fee
queer, tell me at once"
Very slowly, and with several pauses
on the journey. we made our way tc
the end of the lane. We could already
hear the hum Of the approaching taxi
and as we reached the corner 1t came
trundling down the wet road and
pulled up exactly in front Of us
Almost before it had stopped Jimmy
emerged from its interior.
II want to go back to Whitehall
Court" said to the man.
He looked at us with some curiosity
but whatever his private speculations
may have been, he kept them to him
self.
Very good, SIR" he replied impas-
sively.
helped Molly in and took the seat
beside her. Closing her eyes wearily
she leaned back against the cushions
Jimmy scrambled to his place oppo.
site, the door banged, and the mex
moment we had turned around anc
were bowling up Bishops terrace.
There were a dozen questions
wanted to ask, but I could see that
Molly was in no fit state for talking
Her story would have to wait unit
the next morning. The only thing
to be done now was to get her to bee
as soon as possible, and let her sleer
OF the after effects Of the drug.
Looking down at her as she lay
beside me. I again noticed the blooc
on her cheek. 1t had come from ar
ugly cut a shade below her left eye
and at the sight of it cold fury
against Orloff and his associate.
surged up in my heart.
I took her hand which was lying
Imply on her lap, and with little
sigh she allowed her head to sinh
down until it was resting against my
arm. Hunched up In the opposite
corner Jimmy stared silently through
the window.
On We went, past the deserted en-
trance to Paddington Station, and ur
the long, empty stretch Of Edgwart
road. BY the time we came to the
corner of Park lane was half asleeE
myself. I had vague impression o1
glare of light, which suppose mus
have been Piccadilly Circus, and then
with an unexpected jerk, the tax
came to a standstill. and sitting w
abruptly found myself outside tht
fats.
I fumbled for my latchkey ane
handed 1t to Jimmy. You run w
and get the door open," I said. II
Dawson's about, tell him to put &
kettle on. A cup Of tea will do u,
all good"
I reused Molly. who was still dozinf
against my shoulder, and getting ou
first, helped her down onto the pave
ment. From his box the taxi drivel
eyed us with interest.
Here's a pound for you," I said
land I'm much, much obliged to 20,
for waiting"
He placed the note carefully in hi
pocket and touched his cap.
That's all right, guv-nor. Glad vol
got wot you went for" Jerking in hi
clutch, he leaned sideways towart
me. Il was a bit of a lad meself
once" he added, and with this crypt,
statement he swung out into the road
way.
! glanced quickly up and down tn,
street. At the Northumberland avenu,
end man was crossing the road with
his back to us, but except for hin
there was not soul within sight.
You'd better let me carry you
Molly" said. "If you try to do an,
more you'll probably collapse"
Disregarding her faint protest
again lifted her up in my arms. I
was a more difficult job than I hae
had before, for the stairs were steer
and Jerry's fiat was on the secone
floor.
Tired as I was, however, the sensa.
ton of holding her close against m,
seemed to inspire me with the neces.
sary strength, and step by step
struggled doggedly up, until the dress
ing-gowned figure Of Dawson framee
in a lighted doorway. suddenly re
warded my efforts.
He stepped aside as I staggered in
Everything is ready, sir. hav'
put clean sheets on the bed and tn
kettle will be boiling in q few mo
ments."
Thank you, Dawson" said. "It'
an odd hour for tea party, but weir
all three a little exhausted"
Tomorrow, = little incident puts al
thought Of formulas out Of Nick
| mind.
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