Evening star., 1938-02-23
CHAPTER TX.

AAn1Ni at craig WyattS crum.
pied, silent figure lying in {
corner, Joyce's dream ended
- and things were real again
The giant of man who faced her
whispering an ironic apology, wa.
terribly, frighteningly real. Crais
stirred little, moaning; his arm!
and legs thrashed loosely; then he
had struggled to sitting position or
the f1oor. He stared dazedly at the
Dig man for moment, as if his minc
refused to credit what had happened
You won't get hurt, Wyatt" the
man said, gruff1y, "if you behave
yourself. It's like I told you before
-be good and We'll be good to YOU
Shall We tie 'em up, chief?" asked
the short. thick-shouldered man.
Jones shook his head. mo sense in
that, Ben" he said shortly. We'll
put them in those two bedrooms up
stairs, just as We planned. They can't
get out the windows, and I want you
and Pip here to stand guard in the
hallway night and day. 1t won't be
long. Mrs. Wyatt will pay off quick"
Craig was on his feet, look of out
ragged pride on his white face, glaring
at Jones. Joyce went to him. her
,heart stirred by pity, and put her
hand on his arm. This was the first
time IN his life, she thought, that any
one had dared to Icy violent hands
on him. His training had not prepared
him for anything like this, and it was
her fault, she thought miserably, that
he was here.
She told him. I'VE must do as they
ask. Craig. They are armed, and we
aren't. There's nothing to be gained
by resisting"
Jones nodded approvingly. Good
advice, Miss Adair. don't plan to
harm either of you" His sly smile
made her shiver. This is a busi-
ness. I have something to sell" He
nodded toward Craig. I'd be a fool
to damage my merchandise"
y He turned to the other man. RUS
tie up some supper, Pip. I'm hungry,
and I imagine our guests are, too"
He smiled az Joyce. Would YOU
mind helping Pip with the supper?
Hes an awful cook" Joyce nodded
dumhly. and Jones crossed to Craig
searched him swiftly. Jones locked
at Joyce then. Il don't suppose YOU
carry rod?"
"Rod?"
"A gum he explained.
She shook her head. "Of course
not" Indignantly
III ltake your word for it." he
said, easily.
Following the man called Pin to-
ward the kitchen, Joyce glanced Curl
ously about the big room. 1t was
about Is feet long by half as wide.
In the corner was long table, lino-
leum covered. Straight-back chairs
were scattered about At one end was
a staircase leading to the second
floor.
The five of them were seated about
the big table, and Joyce discovered,
surprisingly enough, that she was
hungry. Jones was seated at one end:
the man Ben at the other. She and
Craig were on one side; the thin
faced man called Pip sat opposite
them.
Craig alone wasn't eating He had
glanced contemptuously at the food
placed before him and pushed the
plate aside. She had urged him to
eat, realizing that he must maintain
his strength If ne was to get them out
OF this predicament, but he had mere
" shrugged.
She found the eggs and bacon de-
hcious. She had cooked both to a
turn under the suspiciously watch
full eyes of Pip. She saw that Jones
was frowning at Craig.
The big man pushed back his plate,
planted his big arms on the table. |
Here's the layout, Wyatt" he said. |
We've mailed letter to your mother.
She'll get it in the morning. We're
asking her for 100000. If she pays off
nv tom Orrow pnor ord I>o1;ora IL.