Evening star., 1934-06-03


"Ohl" gasped Pen swallowingly. "ohi Kid
napers"
CHE looked for a policeman. There wasn't
- any She the big car pulling rapidly
away. She hugged Alex in protesting, growl-
ing bundle and then she saw approaching her
maroon -colored vehicle with lights on 1t like
sea-going tug
"Taxi!" she called frantically. ''Taxi-quick
Follow that car. Follow it wherever it goes!"
And she pulled open the door and plunged
inward.
Alex whimpered and buried his nose in the
silver fox collar of Pens black cloth coat Pen
stared out of the window, hoping to see a
policeman. The taxi stopped at a red light
and far down the street she did espy a blue
coated figure. She tried to open the door and
scream, when the driver started with jerk
that nearly snapped her spine.
"Ouch!" she said.
Sorry. lady" called the driver, who was,
according to the framed card, Michael F. GAL
agher. I'VE gotta go fast. We gotta keep up
Whatsa matter-dey grab your boy frien'?"
"They-they kidnapped him. cried Pen.
Il it, said Mike excitedly II 'em
grab him. We can't stop for cops or nuttin',
lady. De bus ahead's got power. We gotta go
fast or we'll lose it."
Pens words were errant "Okay," she said
decisively. Catch iti"
"Hah-baby!' sighed Mr.. Michael F. GAL
lagher broadly, his opinion of her rising 100
per cent. We're going places!"
Through devious streets and cross-streetS and
off a concrete highway they tore madly.
Twice Pen heard police whistles shrill at them
and wished they could stop But Mike shook
his head.
IF dey got any sense he said, "deyT phone
ahead and stop us ALL
But no one stopped them and on and on they
went. Pen stared at the taillght ahead and
wondered what they were doing to Todd. Now
hat no Cd ", vnoriI cho ipH of
thousand times when he had been sweet and
dear
Suddenly the engine of the taxi coughed.
sputtered dramatically and expired. Pen slid
forward apprehensvely her face pressed anx-
iously through the open window behind Mr..
Gallagher.
"Oh what's happened?" she cried frantically.
Far ahead the red spark diminished
mo gas" said Mike shortly. Gees, I'm
sorry, lady"
well. get some quick!" said Pen.
"Outa de sky, lady? You seen any filling
stations out here?"
"But-but must do something" Pen
moaned. 'Look-the taillight's gone!"
Gees that's too bad said Mike honestly.
PUT Pen was decisive. Up ahead Todd was
- the prey of those three racketeers-lucrative
prey, too. OF course, Todd, or his minted
father, might not be averse to purchasing his
freedom. But Pen felt horribly that something
fearful might happen to him before his release
could be effected. Things had happened
like that before. And he was Todd! Todd
her childhood companion, her youthful beau,
her
Listen Mike" she said suddenly. 1--WE must
have gas. You go and wake up Oscar Jones
at that last house we passed"
oscar Jones?" asked Mr. Gallagher wonder
ingly. You know him?"
NO." snapped Pen. Sydney Brown or
whatever his name is. Wake him up and get
gas if you have to drain his fivver for it,
And you?"
I'm going afoot. You catch up with me if
you can.'
"Ya can't do that"-Mr Gallagher waved
hand at the country-"out here, all alone in
dis God-forsaken-"
Miss Penelope Scott Sands chose language
Mr.. Gallagher recognized as authoritative
Listen, big boy" she said, you scram!"
Mike whistled in approval. 'Okay, lady," he
said He snapped his fingers. IN be seen
ya," he promised.
Her face determined, her chin firm, PENS
heels clicked rapidly on the cement highway.
Alex pattered beside her-a small black bundle
in the darkness-untn he got out of breath
Pen caught him up and then in her hurry She
too got out of breath.
She listened for Mike, but she could not
hear him. And suddenly Alex said: "Arf-f-f!"
nasty-lke, and struggled to leap, and glad
whine and a sharp bark answered him from
the roadside.
Pen nearly sat down. "Terry!" she cried In
anazement and alarm. Terry! What's hap
pened? Oh, Terry. what have they done to
Todd?"
Terry did not say much in reply. He
whimpered and came trotting up to her. And
then Pen saw that here was .by-road and
whether or not Todd had boosted the terrier
out to warn her, or the hdnapers had been
'Pairked with his presence, here he was like