The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-02-03
Chapter 21
AT MERIDA

NhEE.NE T. IuDDeu at lump over 0 his temple. Thoughtfully he ad- justed his coat upon his shoulders and studied ragged rent in it's side through which some papers in the pocket had been blown by the bullet.
 "H-m-m-m," he grunted. "So this is Mexico. What happened? A safe and sane Fourth?"
 They explained as much as they knew. While they talked the train began to move, haltingly at first then with gathering speed. Lights began to slip past the car windows: then the trucks of the cars ssreeched around turn. They were passing through lane lined with shadowy buildings.
 Merida, I guess" offered Ho- garth.
 They jerked into a dimly lighted station. The men began to arrange the boxes so as to be ready for their departure. The train stopped.
 The other passengers crowded through the door. Outside they could see dozens of i.rmed soldiers patrolling the platforms. There was a commotion at the doorway. A huge man shouldered himself through the press and approached down the aisle.
 His face was blue-jowled and dark, smoke from his black cigaret drib- bled through thick nostrils He wore the bleached linen suit of the haci- endado, with the tunic buttoning up to the neck. His arm was carried in black silken sling.
 He loomed above the seated Amer jeans. For an instant Janice did not recognize him, then she caught her breath. It was Ortega, the man whom Frank Grahame had suspect ed as being involved in her abduc- tion in Hollywood a month ago.
 While she had told them all in My. berg's office that she did not believe that Ortega was implicated: never theless to herself she admitted that she was unsure. Janice looking at him now. was conscious of a sense of uneasiness as his glance met hers-a tiny ringing of some sub conscious bell of unrest as those flat toned eyes were turned down to her.
 He bowed deeply.
 Miss Kent" he began. "How are you MT Greene. and MT Hogarth. It is I pleasure to see you all again 1 am delighted" His somber stare made his statement sound contra dictory. q have a message for you from MT. McGrath, your advance man."
 Greene stirred irritably. Where, is he?"
 The big mans glance flickered over MT. Greene and paused at the torn and stained shirt front. He al lowed the question to remain un- answered and addressed himself to Janice.
 50 MT. MybeIg decided to go on with the picture? It is good. shall be delighted to help you. It has been a great regret of mine that l was forced to leave Hollywood so sud. denly. l was planning to return when met MT. McGrath. decided then, to await your arrival"
 JANICE wished the man did not o make her feel so uneasy. Was this the suave, well-mannered Ortega that had sent her daily flowers in Hollywood? He seemed the same but with a subtle difference.
 Once, two years before she had met an industrial executive and had been taken through one of his fac tories. She had admired him for his power, decisiveness. and shrewd command of his organization; later she met him at masquerade cos tuned as an eighteenth century beau ard he had been clumsy and ridiculous.
 She thought of him now, looking at Ortega. In a sort of reverse way this had happened to him. The pol ished latin aristocrat in Hollywood had become somewhat gross-he was more effective this way Janice admitted-but there was a shade of incongruity in it-like a flop turned rowdy.
 "So you waited" said MT. Greene "Yeah. That's fine. But where in helps McGrath? He should have met us at Progreso. He didn't show up. Instead we come here and get shot at. What is it? A revolution? ? Whats the matter with you guvs down here? Dou't you know this is lousy publicity? Now if was rur. ming this country"