Evening star., 1935-03-31

11GJ11N L 6oSINo -" SANo VI Ci4N
the night. Ronnie managed to keep
Hicky's tail light in sight. Often he
glanced back over his shoulder, but
the road was deserted.
Suddenly he saw himself coming up
rapidly toward Hicky's car. He jam
med the brake down. In a minute
he saw why Hicky was stopping. At
the side of the road there was long,
heavy truck. Ronnie pulled up behind
Hicky's car and jumped out.
Hicky was already standing by the
truck, talking to four men. Two Of
them, Ronnie saw as he approached,
were Mike and Slug. The others he
had never seen.
Good work, kid" Mike said as he
came up.
How'd YOU and Slug get here?"
asked Rcnnie.
car" Mike turned toward the other
men. This is the chief" He ignored
the other man.
well, let's get going" Mike and
the other man went over and opened
the back of the big truck. Then they
rolled an inclined runway down to
the ground. Run em in here" Mike
ordered.
HICKY and Ronnie climbed in the
- cars. In minute they were in
side the truck, which was just long
enough to house the two autos. Mike
pulled chains which re-rolled the
heavy runway and closed the doors.
You two guys get up with the
driver" Mike directed, pointing to-
ward little door at the front.
Ronnie and Hicky stopped and
crawled through the door and onto
the straight-back seat. Mike pushed
the door shut behind them.
The driver was talking to the man
called Chief" who was also in the
rear of the truck.
Take 'er through" the chief was
saying. "Dann be there"
20. X" growled the driver. He
iammed the starter and with roar
the heavy engine started. They pulled
heavily onto the road and roared
away.
For q while they rode in silence.
Then the driver yelled above the
racket Of the motor.
This your first job?"
Hicky, sitting next to the driver.
nodded. Ronnie. on the outside, lean
ed over and put his mouth close to
the drivers ear. What are they do
ing inside?" he yelled.
Do ocre rI,o EonNce
plates, Maxim 'em look different"
Ronnie turned and tried to look
through the small glass window be-
hind Hickey. He saw nothing but
dim light and the shining cars.
FOR nearly half hour they rode,
- the truck roaring steadily. Ronnie
was thinking fast. He turned and
put his mouth by Hickey's ear.
Listen" he said, loud enough for
Hicky to hear, but not loud enough
to reach the drivers ears above the
din. There's only one thing we can
do. You slug the driver, and I'll
handle the truck. You jump off, get
to a phone, and call Chief Collins.
There are bolts on this door behind
me. I'll lock it so Mike and Slug
can't get up here"
Hicky nodded grimly. Ronnie felt
the husky muscles in Hicky's right
arm stiffen. Ronnie reached and
showed two bolts across the little door.
Then he bracbd himself, ready to grab
the wheel.
He saw Hicky watching the driver
narrowly out Of the corner of his eye.
For what seemed minutes they rode
in silence, then the driver leaned
slightly to his left and showed his right
hand in his coat pocket, reaching for
q cigarette.
Hicky twisted suddenly and swung
his fist like q pile-driver at the drivers
face. As the driver slumped in his
seat, Ronnie lunged over and grabbed
the wheel. The truck careened for
moment, then steadied. .
Quick" yelled Ronnie. "Shove
him out!'
LIE STEERED the truck to the left
IL side of the road and slowed down.
Hicky struggled with the door min
ute, then it opened, and with a
mighty shove he sent the driver tum-
bling out. Hicky looked back out OF
the door.
Hes not hurt" he yelled at Ronnie.
"He fell in the grass"
"Good!" Ronnie cried. Jump
yourself-and get to that phone
ouickH' He still held the truck to
the left side of the road, driving
4