Evening star., 1935-12-22
The House on the Hill
INSTALLMENT VI.

~ ILL fought to control the tri-
- umphant expression on his
face as he turned away from
- the telephone after talking
to his father. He was sure his ruSe of
saying that Dorothy needed her doctor
had succeeded, for when he mentioned
the name Of r. j. Stevens, the chief
of police, his father had gasped, then
said hastily, II understand, Bill"
He shot quick glance at the 9TH
ers, to make sure that their faces
would not betray his trick. Dorothy
was leaning back on the sofa, pre-
tending to feel worse than she really
did. Beth had lowered her eyes and
was twisting button on her coat In
suppressed excitement. Only Johnny
shot him an elated glance.
Bill spoke carefully to Mr.. Dykes.
my father is going to leave at once,
and should be down at the village in
little more than half an hour" he
said, so, if one Of your friends will
give us a lift down there, we won't
trouble you any longer"
Mr.. Dykes, still standing by the fire.
place, gazed at Bill with piercing eyes,
and for moment the boys heart
pounded. Was he suspicious? Was
that name, R. J. Stevens, known to
him? The man hesitated for a mo-
ment, then swung around to the
gangster who had stood by Bill while
he telephoned.
Get the car out, Mac" he said
crisply, "and take these young people
down to the village"
THE gangster grunted a word Of
assent and disappeared toward
the rear of the house. Beth and
Dorothy rose to their feet.
We're sorry to have intruded this
way, Mr.. Dykes" said Beth, smiling
at him sweetly.
Mr.. Dykes bowed courteously. Il
assure you it was no intrusion" he
replied. Il am only sorry that your
visit must be so brief"
Johnny shot Bill an ironic glance
as they moved to the door. The lights
of car swung around the driveway
and up to the edge of the terrace.
They said good-by to Mr. Dykes and
climbed into the car.
Not a word was said during the
short drive to the village. Bill no.
ticed that their car was still in the
ditch as they passed it. but he did not
even comment on that. He was
afraid that somebody might make
remark that would arouse the gang
ster's suspicious, and they were too
near safety now to take chances.
AS they drove into the village, they
saw that almost every house was dark,
but finally they saw light at filling
station. The driver pulled the car
up there and stopped. They climbed
out.
Thanks a lot for the lift" said
Bill. The gangster stared at him,
grunted, and stepped on the acceler-
ator. The big car swung around and
headed back toward the lodge. Then
Johnny pounded Bill enthusiastically
on the back.
Nice going, Bill" he cried. 'That
trick Of calling Chief Stevens doctor
was a honey!"
Bill shook his head. II took = big
chance" he admitted. But I figured
had to do something because Of that
man they took downstairs. II the
police don't get out there mighty
soon I'll bet his life won't be worth
a nickel"
PETH'S face paled. "You think
they we're going to kill hin?" she
cried.
Bill grunted. well, you can bet
they didn't bring him out there for
lodge initiation, as the oily Mr.. Dykes
claimed"
At that moment the door of the
filling station opened, and young
fellow in a sheepskin coat looked out.
Want something?" he inquired.
Bill turned and spoke to the others
in low voice. mot a word about
where we've been," he warned. Then
he turned and explained to the young
man that their car had been wrecked
and they were waiting to be taken
back to town. The man Immediately
invited them in and. as it was still
raining, they gratefully accepted.
There was stove in the little
building and they huddled close
around It for the next half hour.