The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-01-23
by Herbert Jensen

ing head. The engines sound was louder: beam If swinging light glowed and vanished upon hillsides a 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 WIS sure unless the driver elected to crash through.
 If the driver suspected he was being stopped he might make the attempt: 1t did not matter whether the car was the one he awaited or some stranger. The drivers req tion -seeing an armed man waiting on the other side of the barricade- would be the same.
 He withdrew to the side and crouched behin1 larger boulder.
 Headlights glared from behind the nearest turn. The engine roared spasmodically as the car lurched over the une- en road-bed.
 Frank could not discover the cars make or condition behind the dag. zling light. The automobile ap- preached the TO ks strung across the road; he heard the springs squeak their protest at the bouncing. Brakes squealed. A -.al within the car called something unintelligible. He heard the ratchet Of the hand brake click.
 As the drivers door opened he saw suddenly that this was the tan car that had crashed Janice Rents motor at the Hollywood intersection three nig' before. Now. however. the top was up and the side-curtains fastened He arose from behind his boulder and leaped forward.
 A MAN stepped out of the open \ door. Startled recognition eaped into his eyes as he saw GrahaIne Over his. shoulder Frank was con. scious of gleam of metal. Instinc. lively he swerved.
 Flame stabbed from within the cara gun crashed Frank felt the tug of 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 lurched backward against fender. Grahame swung and dropped to his knees. Again the gun from within the car roared.
 Frank threw up the muzzle of his weapon and fired at the flash. A man cried out; there was the clang of metal. A door struck tinnily against the side of the car.
 Sprnging to his feet. Frank tore at the rear door of the ear. He jerked it 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 em. bankment.
 The one to the left thrust up his hand gripping at road post. It was black-spotted with blood As he watched. the other. smaller man. drew himself erect upon the top of the bank. His face was in profile.
 The nose was disproportionately large,.a hooked beak of nose. preda. tory and vulturine. Franks gun lift ed; his trigger finger contracted slightly. He did not fire. but shook his head to throw off the confusing mist the clash lad induced. He dropped his arm; he peered into the dark recess of the tonneau. Janice Kent was there. Her face was vague. her eyes round and star ing. He saw that she was gagged. Fumblingly he worked at the knot at the back of her neck. He was con scious of a. curious combination of odorsEthe acrid tang of exploded gunpowder and fragrance that was Janice Rents hair. His hands shook a little.
 The cloth about her mouth dropped. He lowered his arms and encircled her. He lifted her from the seat and backed through the door 1 Setting her upon the ground he sa W that h,r hands were tied. It took him but all instant to loosen the knots.
 She swayed toward him. For a dis dressing instant he thought that she was about to faint. He put his arms about her to hold her upright: curl. ously she did not fall. but pressed against him: her hands gripped the cloth of his colt tightly. "Janice!" he muttered little hoarsely. z. you all right?" Her cheek seemedj to press his lapel. She murmured. T don't know. think so. l--"
 | Nearby a masculine voice spoke anxiously. "She all right. Frank? They haven't" sf | Sharply Janice Kent withdrew from Franks support They looked toward the voice. Winslew stood in the light of the cars headlights.
 Sorry folks. just came to. Didn't mean to interrupt the- Fella nearly kicked my face in 2 minute ago on his way over thr hill. He was cer. tainly going places-"