Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-01-06
- 1&&Mlk kM OAevt.,e
NA BY VICTOR BRIDGES -
By VICTOR BRIDGES

his pillow in case there's Communist
rising"
when do you propose to take the
field?" inquired.
"As soon as the rain stops. It's
been hopeless up to now. No one
would go out working on a day like
this"
IT believe it is clearing up httle,"
remarked Molly.
by jove, you're right" Jerry
heaved himself from the bunk and.
pushing open the skynght, peered out
through the crack.
Winds shifted a oft west" he an
nounced, land it's getting lighter all
round. I wouldn't be surprised If We
were in for fine evening"
well, here's your chance" ex-
claimed Molly. eff Gowlland's been
shut up in the house all day he's sure
to go out now!"
Worth trying, anyhow" agreed Jer.
ry. What are you two going to do?"
We're coming with you" said Molly.
Il want to have a look round the
| factory, and so does Nick"
There's not much to see."
Jerry reached up for his shoes,
which he had placed on the rack TO
dry. THE most interesting part is
the room I told you about, the one
on the right, where take it that Os-
borne used to work Like a big prison
cell with steel door and all sorts Of
odd gadgets in the way of furnaces
and sinks. If he's left any clues be-
hind him that's where they ought
to be-"
Wen have a good seapsh. any,
how" I said. by the way, I suppose
it will be all right leaving Jimmy
alone on the boat?"
He won't be alone I'm not taking
George ashore. His foot'S still sore
where that brute bit him"
I leaned down and patted my res
cuer who, with his paw in a bandage,
was anxiously contemplating our &C
| tivitieS.
Never mind, old man" I said con-
solingly. when all this is over I'm
going to buy you large silver bowl
to drink out of, with the date Of the
battle engraved round the rim"
Jerry chuckled. You needn't waste
your money Fighting is one Of
Georges two favorite hobbies"
He did up his remaining shoe lace
and, pushing back the sliding door
of the foc'sle. addressed himself to
Jimmy. Were all going for q walk,
James so you'll be left in command.
Feel equal to the responsibility"
quite, SIR" came back the crisp
answer.
you should say Aye. aye to be
strictly nautical. BY the way, the
rains stopping so if you'd rather you
can sit up on the deck and admire
the scenery. I don't suppose we shall
be more than two hours"
He jumped up and, donning an old
Sou'WeSter. edged his way along to-
ward the cabin door. Shove on your
bibs and fuckers, children" he added,
land I'll get the dinghy ready"
Five minutes later, with thin
drizzle still dappling the surface Of
the water. We were pulling in toward
the small natural beach of which the
Seagull was anchored
| We grounded yard or two from
our destination, but by standing up
and using his oar as a pole, Jerry
succeeded in forcing the boats nose
well up the bank, and scrambling
ashore, helped Molly disembark.
Better get her shade farther in"
observed Jerry, following with the
painter. THE tide will be up by the
time we get back, and we don't want
to have to wade out to her"
We dragged our little craft over the
mud and made her fast just below
| high-water mark. Above where she
lay the ground rose sharply in a
steep, sandy bank, on top Of which
struggled few stunted gorse bushes.
/ Makes a nice bit of cover" re-
marked our skipper, eying the latter
approvingly.
You're not afraid of her being
| stolen?" inquired Molly.
/ He shook his head. Il was thinking
/ of our friend. Gowlland. If he was
! taking a stroll in this direction and
happened to spot her, it's quite likely
he'd shove his foot through her side.
/ Nothing makes people so spiteful as
! jealousy and bad whisky"
| keep that well in your mind"
admonished him. Unless you're quite
sure -"
Bang!
The distant report of a gun rang
out clearly across the saltings and.
with loud rustling of wings, one or
two startled birds rose hastily from
the surrounding grass.
There you are" I continued.
That's probably Gowlland venting
his spleen on some innocent rabbit.
If you hurry up you may reach the
farm before he gets back"
I'll cut straight across from here"
he replied. There's a path of sorts
that joins the lane about half way
along. 1t will save me at least 10
minutes"
He paused. 'If I'm not around
when you come out, don't bother to
wait for me. Take Molly back to the
boat, and when I show up I'll give
you shout from the shore. I don't
want to tie myself down to any exact
time"
Jumping up the bank, he set of
quickly through the rough grass and,
at more leisurely pace, Molly and
turned our steps in the direction Of
the factory.
Nick and Molly walk into q terrible
trap, tomorrow.