The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-31
CHAPTER Xiv

OuS m8u8XeO 86 last 20 ma 0e3
way into the city and to the neigh
borhood in which lay the address
Pete had given her. It was an out
of-the-way section, the external
character Of which was q bit for.
bidding but absolutely without q
clue rs to Pete's situation. What
he had been doing in such q part
Of New York when he was supposed
to be on his way back to Florida or
to New Orleans she had no idea.
Kay found the street, then the
building. It was, like those sur
rounding it, grimy old stone fat
building, undistinguished, inhos-
pitable. She parked the car, hurried
up the steps and in the hall searched
for the name, Haggeberg, on one of
the plates. Finding it, she pushed
the bell beside it. There was . short
wait when suddenly q door opened
almost by her elbow and q woman's
voice came to her through the dim
hall: "Miss Owen?
eyes," Kay replied eagerly.
"Oh my" said the voice sadly.
sCome il"
"What's the matter?" Kay de-
manded enxiously. rs she stepped
through the door.
"Nothing!" the woman snapped
as quick, strong hands seized Kay
by the arms and shoulders; other
hands thrust gag into her mouth
and . bandage over her eyes while
she could do no more than groan
and struggle vainly. The next she
knew she was being borne by 1T
least two men. through doors. up
and down stairs, and finally into the
cool night air. She heard an auto
mobile door open, felt herself thrust
into the tonneau and upon the floor,
then heard the door slam shut and
felt the car start.
How far or in which direction the
car went she had no idea, but at
last it stopped and once more arms
lifted her and she felt the cool,
fresh air, q welcome sensation after
lying gagged and blindfolded in the
bottom Of the stuffy sedan.
When the men finally put her
down she knew that she was in a
chair. Hands fumbled behind her
and the gag came OF, then the
blindfold. She looked up quickly
and saw that she was in q we'll
furnished room. She could not see
who was behind her. but sitting
across the room was . dark, heavy
eyed young man who reminded her
Of . dapper villain in the movies.
There was obvious vulgarity about
him. He smiled at her. showing ex-
traordinarily white teeth. and
pufed slowly on . cigaret which
dangled precariously from the cor
ner Of his mouth. 40 had his hat
on, . lght-gray hat, almost white,
tipped far back on his head Of glossy
black hair, and his ankles were
snugly clad in gray spats to match
the hat. His suit was brilliant blue.
Kay waited for him to speak. He
was . long time about it, studying
her with unconcealed amusement as
II savoring her helplessness and
perplexity, until finally he said,
"Howzit, kid?"
He chuckled to himself. "Put to-
gether, amt you?" he said unctious-
~. There was evil in his very voice.
Something about it made her think
II suppose you're going to keep
me here?" she asked.
How'd J. q, you guess it! How'd you
where's Pete Ryan," she de.
manded.
"Pete Ryan," the man said. He
began to chuckle again. "She wants
to know where Pete Ryan is. You're
. dumb twist, amt yuh?"
ut won't hurt you to tell me-" she
remarked bitterly. rs he hurt! Is
be in danger?"
The man laughed again. He
seemed continually amused. "Yuh
stay me, kid" he said. "Why don't
you just button up your lip and sit |
there before you get me burned up
enough to walk over and hang one
on yuh? II there's anything cant |
stand it's . talky twist"
He rose languidly and hitched up
his high-waisted trousers. His eyes
on hers, he began to come toward
her, chuckling . little under his
breath. She began TO draw back in
stinctively and wished she could
vanish within the chair. She could
not tell what he intended to do, but
- each step brought him nearer