Evening star., 1937-09-12
Mooozine Section

from the window. Il don't like the look of
you! The barrel of the automatic cleaned
in the moonlight Get out - or I'll phone
the polcer
You think we are fools!' rasped the other
man, speaking with a cultural accent. And
suddenly the pair darted under cover of the
porch. From this shelter: You have made
one big mistake" the cultural voice con-
tinued you have taken it to a lonely place,
and we have followed you. This house is
surroundedr'
From behind me: Where's the telephone?"
Trevvy whispered
"On the writing table, downstairs
Keep up the bluff that you don't know
what it's all about III get to the phone. This
is serious"
Dimly, became aware that he was gone,
and was cropping his way quietly downstairs
Keeping we'll back from the window: "You
must be mad shouted, ITO think that
have anything in my possession worth the
risk you are taking. You will all spend the
night in jailr'
became aware of pattering footsteps, a
mutter of voices, and then of more footsteps
Someone had Crept into the porch from the
other side, halted with those hiding there,
and then retired again wondered what this
might portend.
'Listenp came the foreign voice. Cease
to be silly. Come down and open the door,
and you will save your skin = both of you.
Otherwise, you are two against all of US, and
you will lose the fight"
| could think of nothing to say to that;
whilst | waited and wondered a sound of
muffled footsteps reached my ears twisted
about, pistol in hand, and discerned de Treville.
Situation pretty desperater' he whispered.
The lines dead - they must have cut the
cabler'
It was all so characteristic of Trevvy that
experienced an almost uncomfortable desire
to laugh. Deliberately for no good reason
whatever, he had sought out a group of
obviously dangerous criminals, and by i'm
pudent interference with their plans had
brought them down upon us in force.
What on earth are we going to do?''
They won't waste time on the door," said
Trevvy. but they may try to rush one of the
windows. Give me the gun. I'll take up a
strategic post downstairs" He looked about
him.
What's my job?" asked
"Ah!'' he exclaimed. Coal! A useful COM
modify, coall observe supply near the
fireplace Go from room to room and wherever
you see head below - hit it!'' heard him
creeping downstairs.
For the last time," the cultural voice
challenged, ARE you going to open the door,"
Nor
| had four large humps of coal ready.
Believing as they did that was armed, the
desperation of the fellows below was manifest.
One rushed from the shadow of the porch
carrying what looked like log, and hurled
this object through the sitting room window!
Carefully as | aimed the first lump of
coal merely hit him on the shoulder He
ducked and ran to cover, but not before had
got him on the ear with the second
A crack of shot, and bullet fired from
shelter Of the porch whistled over my head
and dislodged the plaster of the low ceiling!
The enemy meant business.
| changed my position and crouchinp on
the window seat looked down. A second
adventurer was creeping along the border to-
wards the smashed window, and at this
moment heard another crash in the rear of
the cottage. The kitchen window had gone!
| abandoned coal The zast Of tho hrht ,y,e