Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-12-11

do your friends know9"
she answered mechanically. for shs
was listening for the sound Of footsteps
coming down from the roof. 1t wa
cheering reflection that the man wa
only waiting for the chance Of a safe
getaway. She was wondering how long
he would nnger In the building and
whether he would force her 70 act as
his scout, when he Snatched her note
to Mrs. Tory off the lift.
She swallowed her indignation as hf
tore It open and read 1t.
Does the woman send up all youl
food?" he asked
Yes" she replied.
Don't you ever go out?"
yes, sometimes. when"
"Shut up"
The threat of his revolver made her
realize that Tory and the policeman
were returning from the roof. They
tramped across her landing, passed her
door, and went down the stairs
When they reached the hall, Tory
had the satisfaction Of reminding the
policeman that he was right.
Il told you he couldn't be here. All
the flats are kept locked and there's
nowhere he could hide"
He was still very pleased with him
self when he entered the grouno-floor
| back flat, to give his gentleman sec
ond hand thrill. His idea was to cheer
up the invalid, so he was taken aback
by the glum misery OF Bevans lace,
/ as he interrupted the tale.
He came In all right. heard him
on the stairs, but I didn't give 1t a
! thought. Even If / had Amusing,
isn't it? On the spot and able to DO
I nothing, while some decent chap Is
sent West, and his murderer gets away
with it. I'm valuable member OF
Nov. sir" protested Tory, you'll
soon be all right again. The doctor
sDont quote the comedian. It's his
| daily Joke OF course, it's obvious
what happened. The man went up 70
the roof and came down by the fire
escape to the back entrance, while you
were on the tiles. He's well away by
now VIII you tell Mrs. Tory not
to trouble to send me in lunch. Thank
her very much"
When Tory repeated the message to
his wife, her jolly face grew grave.
NI don't like it," she objected. He's
too polite. If only he'd buck up ana
swear"
The bandit experienced the terror
of a cornered rat Since he had been
followed to the flat, he felt sure that
the building would be kept under OBJ
He reasoned that the police would
count on his being starved into sub
mission in the event Of his having found
some hiding place on the premises.
Therefore, If he remained in this girls
room for q definite period, their sus-
picions would be destroyed and they
would call off any guard.
The girl would not be missed at her
place OF business for the duration OF
kaVs kaYfHaxf while SI1rntieE Of IO0mf
would arrive daily. The fact that she
did not go out would not be noticed
unless a deliberate watch was set upon
her movements. In this case, there
would be nothing to attract attention.
since apparently she would be carrying
on her usual routine.
The flaw seemed TO lie in her holiday
ARRANGEMENTS. He knew 1t was useless
to question her about these, since she
would lie, but he counted on the fact
that anyone who was puzzled at her
non-arrival, would ring up the hat
when he could impel her to reassure
them.
Fortunately for his conspiracy, the
telephone, speaking tube and trades
he could control them. Success de-
pended on whether he had the nerve
to lie low and sit tight. Spinning
coin for luck, he tore up Janets note
to Mrs Tory, countermanding supplies.
Listen, you" he said. You're not
going away. I'm staying here-and
you've got to stay too. You've only
one chance. Keep quiet"
Too terrified to protest, Janet stared
at him with dull wonder that he should
look so average and normal He did
not resemble the gangsterS OF the
screen, neither did he use their slang.
Hard eyed and tight Tipped. with
smooth hair, there was nothing TO dis
tinglish him from any keen young
business man.
Yet, in spite Of her fear. she found
it impossible to believe IN such an
s 1T can't last" she told herself.
Someone liz bound to come TO the hat
Tory or the postman. must make
them suspect something is wrong"
Her hope rising at sudden inspir-
alton, she ventured to speak to the
IT think had better send a message
for extra supplies. don't eat much
and you won't like my food. I don't
His sheer at her flinsy ruse shriv- !
elled any expectation OF success. he /
did not even trouble to reply, but
asked a sudden question.
Has the porter master key OF the
Eyes, in case Of fire." she told him.
"WeI, If he uses it, for any reason,
he's q dead man. That goes for any /
one who tries to come in. And the
next bullet viii be yours"
He went TO the door, locked 1t. and
nut the key IN his pocket, thus form
ally making her his prisoner.
She was too stunned to protest: His
last speech had reminded her Of the
hideous truth that he had just killed
a harmless citizen In cold blood ana
that any unsuspecting person who en-
tered her flat would meet with the
same fate.
It would be an invitation to be
murdered, II she melted Tory 70 come
to her rescue. unless she could SNUG
gle through q note to him, telling him
the facts. II he communicated with
the police, she knew that they would
devise q means TO draw the mans IRE
and take him by surprise.
But, pending such information, she
must do her utmost TO keep the porter
-or aY1vnpA Qlca-aWQV-