The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-07
CHAPTER XII

# OuoihlCoo' AO IhS bAA, AAC o"AN' you identify this young man as the one Who gave you the box of candy. Miss Martini"
 Sure" the girl pointed at Joe. That's him, all right. The note l gave you was just inside the box. And I'd have called the police sooner only didn't open the candy till this afternoon"
 Well" said the police officer, that's all, then. Come on, boys"
 The constabulary faded. The black eyed girl faded with them. She was sucker for a uniform. The Archers, Joe and Gilbert, stood alone.
 MT. Sandman" said Kelly, sud- denly remembering the social amen ities, "my father and mother. And MT. Mallow."
 Mother and father acknowledged the introduction properly. MT. Mall low did not. MT. Mallow mumbled something.
 And now" said Kelly, whats all this about note?"
 T wrote one," Joe told her, lon an order blank of the Chandler & Sandman Confectionery Company and showed it in that candy box You saw me give the box to the girl.
 Kelly looked at him in surprise. T don't believe it. How could you have written it?"
 T did, all right" Joe pulled an oblong book of order blanks from his pocket. And if you don't be- lieve 1t, here's the carbon. At least, it ought to be here. I haven't had a chance to look"
 It was there on pink sheet smeary from carbon paper. It read:
 Notify police. Caroline Archer in Chandler & Shandham Ford de- livery truck License No. N. Y. 134857 being taken shack near St. Catharines Ont by North Collision Conn. bank robber. J. H. Sandman.
 Kelly's sea-blue eyes widened.
 But all that stuff about kidnap- ing :" she began.
 Ouot odlO OOC. Aioa OO get the Weasel's confidence enough to find out where he was taking us. And you may have noticed that the Weasel isn't very bright. He fell for 1t when I mentioned hundred thousand dollar ransom. His greed got the better of his judgment"
 "You see," Archer explained to the company at large, that note made 1t easy. The police weren't able to catch up with you until you'd crossed the border. But there was record of the car there and the St. Catharine's authorities were notified. They were on the watch and spotted you as you went through the town. They thought it kast to follow along to this hangout and take in the whole gang, if any And I want to thank you, MT. Sand ham, for-er-for taking care of my daughter. I know how you met her. Found 1t out from the care taker of my brothers house. And =. well, you seem to be an intelli- gent young man. That's rare now adays."
 "Kiss him on both cheeks, Father" Kelly advised. Like the French do to heroes"
 'My daughter" said MT. Archer, s'is somewhat flippant. No doubt you found that out" He looked more closely at Joe. Are you any, thing to my friend Charlie Sand ham, by chance?"
 Joe grinned. ITO him I'm just a bum salesman for the New Eng land territory. To me, he's Uncle Charlie"
 Small world" MT. Archer con- mented. Well, come on, all of you. We're driving back to Buffalo to ypend the night" He took Mrs. Archers arm and went out.
 Joe followed. He supposed that Kelly and that twerp-like arche- ologist Gilbert were just behind him. He was wrong. When he ar rived at the road he discovered that they had not left the house as yet.
 The police were waiting about to close the place. MT. Archer got into his hired car.
 "You1l be my guest at the hotel in Buffalo?" he asked Joe.
 Joe shook his head. He'd better he thought, be on his way. His services seemed to be no longer re- uuired. No doubt Kelly and Gilbert were inside locked in each others arms. Lovers reunion. Tears of joy, perhaps. Embraces. Kisses. And for him, the little idyl was over. He bit his lip.
 "Thanks all the same" he said to MT. Archer. But IT better drive along as far as I can tonight. Got to get back on the job as soon as I can"
 llr. Archer held out his hand. Well, suit yourself. But come and sec us in New York. We're i'm msnsely grateful to you" Then he became aware of Kelly's absence and began to fume, loudly. Caro- linei Gilbert! Where the devil is that darn girl?"
 Joe wandered off down the dark road. He was dead for sleep, but ne thought he'd wait until they'd all gone and then go to hotel in st. Catharines. He was feling pretty . sunk. Kelly Archer? Gilbert? Gee, it would be his luck to go ga-ga about girl who was engaged to somebody else.
 Joe approached his Ford in the roadway. He climbed in, turned it n nyr,,y,d opI started hack for St Catharines