The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-02
CHAPTER TX

CHAPTER TX
 Yes, under cover of darkness, MT Sandman moved into action. First his left hand stole surreptitiouSiy into his inside coat pocket while his rieht continued to guide the car From the pocket he drew a small obiong object which he placed in his lap. Then the hand went back into the pocket and came out with a smaller thiner object After that, for the space of five minutes, both hands rested innocuously on the wheel.
 Tn the back of the car the head of Ed the Weasel nodded slightly He was by no means asleep. But the steady purr of the motor had iulled his sensibilities. Joe half turned in his seat and stole a look at him out of the corner of his eye
 Getting sleepy2" he asked.
 Nav" said the Weasel. blink ing through the darkness.
 Joe drove for another mile in orthodox fashion. Then, very carefully, his right hand slipped from the wheel, groped in his lap for the slender thing which he had taken from his pocket, found t. The oblong object lay lat on his knee. And for short time the thumb and first finger of his right hand were tortuously busy. while with his left hand he controlled the dsstinies of the Ford.
 Finally he ceased his labors.
 Want some candy7" he said suddenly to Ed the Weasel. This cars lousy with it."
 Don't care If I do," said the Weasel, yawning. T aint ct much today"
 Joe reached down to card board packing case under the seat and fumbled in it. He extracted . small fiat box.
 Try these" he said, passing 1t back to the Weasel. Chocolate covered peppermints.,"
 The Weasel took the box and tye at the cellophane wrapper with his fingernail. It came of and presently he was rustIing the wsx-paper inside, fighting his way toward the peppcrmints. For a second the noise of paper rattling nlled the back Of the car. Under csser of 1t came a thinner rending soand from the front seat, a sSnand that was barely audible Then Joe slipped the oblong ob- ject back in his pocket
 ~Dese h okay," said the Weasel with his mouth full of pepper mint@.
 '"rake all you want" Joe in- vtked.
 'T got enough" said the Wea- sel. T don't go fer sweets much
 "Gtisss I'll have one myself said Joe.
 The Weasel handed him back ths box. His fingers dove into it. After that. he replaced the lid and Left the box on the seat beside him.
 Kelly Archer awoke with the nrst gray. streaks Of dawn. She stretched llIxurtously. with her eyes closed Then she opened them perceived that Joe sctiil held the wheel and screwed her head around to take in the rugged outlines of Ed the Weasel still infesting the cars in- teYtor.
 Well, we'll" she said. 50 the happy little family is still to- gether. Where are we. anyhow2 Mooee Jaw or Medicine Hat7"
 Were still in the land of the free" Joe told her. Somewhere in Western New York State"
 How ducky." said Kelly
 The Weasel spoke.
 Stop at dA foist refreshmen, stand dat comes along" inc di- rccted Joe. We gotta have some kawfee an hot cakes"
 Take your belt in a notch.' said Joe. And keep your chin up Well get 'em."
 They did. a mile further on. Joe pulled lip before a likely looking refreshmsnt stand whose enyirons were devoid of other ve- hicIes. A black -haired girl wal polishing the counter inside At Joe's signal she issued forth.
 "Kawfee." said the Weasel haArseIy from the depths of the Ford. An hot cakes. Fer tree ven have 'em out here in da car"
 In a short time the black -haired girl returned, bearing sustenance The hot cakes were huge, brown and indigestibls. Kelly and Joe ate Of them but sparingly. Ed the Weasel. however. vas no weak Sis ter. He cut his allotment into great segments. drowned them in syrup and maEticated with audible satisfaction.
 Dat hits da spot" he stated, be- tween bites.
 DO enjoy yourself" said Kelly.
 Presently the girl returned with coffee in thick China mugs. When they had finished drinking Joe handed her A bill.
 Keep the change" he said grandly.
 She flashed him smile Thanks"
 And just AS \ token of our es. teeni.' said Joe. evidently made
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