Evening star., 1934-09-09

Of feminine sobs seeped through. Red ham
mered upon the door. "Why isn't this IRE
built?" he demanded.
The sobs increased in volume. Il won't
build O nrei And furthermore, I'll have
you sent to the penitentiary the moment get
back to civilization you-you brute"
For the first time since he had been inspired
with this mad notion, Red began to entertain
some slight misgivings. It was. he suddenly
realized, a serious matter to kidnap an inter-
nationally prominent figure like Miss Sellers.
The papers would be full Of 1t. Likely the
police would be hunting for him this very
minute. Twenty years behind prison bars
wasn't o pleasant prospect. but that's where
he would find himself directly. II the girl
didn't develop sense Of hunor. He put up
bold front. mo work, no eat" he said with
an air Of indifference. "Use your own tudg-
ment, If any"
The girl answered him with a series Of angry
walls. Red cooked one Of the nsh, but he
didn't feel much like eating. Presently he
went TO bed, but he couldn't sleep. The girl
was sttll sobbing In the next room, and he ale
most weakened. But he hardened his heart
against her, and lay down again. The spoiled
little wretchl Likely she had been pampered
and petted all her life. Wen, she'd get no
petting from him. He might 60 to prison, but
he'd make q new woman Of her. Long after
midnight he put a pillow over his head and
managed to sleep ftfully.
window when he awoke He blinked his
eyes in bewilderment Some one was hunlnning
a sprightly tune in the next room. A faint.
pleasant odor Of coffee and fresh hsh assailed
his nostris. He leaped into his clothes.
Sally was turning couple Of fish In the
skillet. She was wearing q pair Of low-heeled
sport shoes, and a sensible sport dress The
song died abruptly in her throat. and her
lips set in a grim line.
"I'm glad you've come 10 your senses" Red
grunted.
Don't fiatter yourself" she retored "prob-
ably nothing would please low animal like
you more than to see q woman starve. I'm
not going to give you that satisfaction"
The girl udied up the~ cabin and prepared
lunch while Red caught a dozen fish, and shot
q pheasant. He made several half-hearted at
tempts to start conversation, but Sally re-
fused to talk He gave it up. Late in the
afternoon he sauntered into the cabin Maybe
can pick up some newspapers and magazines
at the village" he said. "Iu be back In q
couple Of hours"
Sally shrugged as though his plans weren't
OF the slightest interest to her.
T WAS after dusk when Red dragged the
canoe up onto the beach at Needle Point
again. There were no lights at the cabin
windows. Burdened with the magazines and
newspapers, he ran up the beach and threw
open the kitchen door. "Sally!" he called
apprehensively. Where are you?"
Something swished through the air and
crashed into his skull
When Red awoke he was lying upon the cot
In the bed room. Sunlight was streaming in
through the window again. His head throbbed
horribly. Every joint ached. He sat upright
with an effort. swung his legs over the edge
OF the bed and walked unsteadily to the door
He heard grun voices from the kitchen. Some
one tramped across the room. The door swung
open broad -shouldered, unshaven man with
small, piglike eyes stepped into the bed room.
Reds heart stopped momentarily. Dizzy Dan
Dugan, gangster, kdnaper. bank robber and
general unSavory character and three evil
companions. Dizzy Dams deep, bass voice
made the windows rattle. $50 you're awake
at last, eh?"
Where Is Miss Sellers?" Red demanded
angrily. "If you've harmed her"
The gangster laughed unpleasantly. Don't
worry about that baby She's worth hundred
thousand ransom money. We wouldn't harm
O hair of her head"
He looked at Red, suddenly suspicious. LET
me give you q tip, young fellow-dont even
try to talk to the little lady We might not
be so careful not to hurt you It's a cinch
you amt worth no hundred grand"
When the disagreeable fellow had gone Red
went to the vail which separated the two
bed rooms and listened tntentIy. No sound.
He had a suspicion that Sally was securely
bound and gagged. The thugs would run no
chances that she might escape.
Red looked around his own room. Nothing
had been disturbed. There was his medicine