Evening star., 1934-12-31
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BY VICTOR BRIDGES

vague about things I suppose it was
the stuff they gave me, but somehow
or other 1t all seems like bad dream" "
She took sip from the cup which
jerry handed her. II had been up in
Idy room the whole evening reading
book, and about half past ]
Thought I would like a glass of milk
before going to bed. I rang the bell
and told the maid to bring it up. It
tasted all right, and I was just be-
ginning to undress, when I suddenly
came over all queer and giddy.
II tried to get to the door, but I
suppose must have tumbled down.
Anyhow, I don't remember anything
more until woke up feeling terribly
sick and found myself on the bed
in that horrible little room with Orloff
and Dimitri bending over me.
II didn't know where I was or how
I'd got there, and I'd no time to
think. They started on me straight
away. 1t was Orloff who did the talk
ing while Dimitri just stood by looking
at me. I shall never forget the ex-
preston in his eyes"-(she shivered)-
'it was loathsome"
Jerry muttered something under his
breath.
What did orloff say to you?" I de-
manded.
She knitted her forehead. I've
been trying so hard to remember. I
was half stupid, you see, and it's all
jumbled up and confused. I know he
asked me any amount Of questions
about the formula.
HE wanted to know where Nick
had hidden it, and what the paper
is like it's written on, and whether
we were trying to sell it to Sir William
Avon. All the time he was question
ing me he kept on squeezing and
pinching my arm. 1t hurt so I could
hardly help screaming.
She pulled up the sleeve Of her
dressing gown and muffled oath es-
capped from Jerry's lips. Just above
the elbow two or three livid bruises
stood out against the white skin.
II wish I'd seen those last night. -
I said savagely I'D have smashed
that swine's face in"
Go on" said Jerry gruffly. what
else had the hound to say?"
| He told me that I was to write a
note asking Nick to give him the for
mula. He said that otherwise should
| be put on a barge and taken down
to a Russian ship that's lying in the
river, and that once was there they'd
soon make me do whatever I was or
dered.
well, as I knew you hadn't got
the formula, and it couldn't possibly
make any difference, I agreed to write
it. AS soon as I'd finished it, he
started questioning me again.
He wanted to find out about this
place Hambridge and why we were
going there. When ! said I didn't
know, they tied me down to the bed
and it was then that I got this cut
on the cheek
After that I think I must have
tainted, because the next thing I re.
member is hearing a noise in the hal
and seeing Nick's torch as he came ir
at the door,"
Jerry scooped out some marmalade
and dug back the spoon viciously into
the pot. I'VE ought both to be kicked
We should never have left her there
after that business with the waiter
It's plain enough, the blighter heare
what we said. He must have giver
them the tip that we were thinking
Of clearing out, and I suppose they
made up their minds to grab hold oi
her while they had the chance"
"Weu, don't worry about it," said
Molly soothingly. The important
thing is what are we going to do now?'
Garry on, of course. We must see
this farmer and his wife-though ]
don't suppose we shall get much out
of them. Anyhow, you'll be safer on
the Seagull than anywhere else"
| How about her things?" I struck