The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-07-01
CHAPTER VIII

WlLn LIllS TeIIldTk COIlNelodOiOA' lapsed. For mile after mile Joe drove on steadily, with Kelly sleep ing peacefully at his side.
 Two o'clock in the morning found the Ford west of Albany proceeding swiftly toward Syra- cuse. The Weasel had directed Joe as to what roads to take to his hideout across from Niagara Falls. Shortly they stopped for gas and the Weasel obtained New York tabloid from the all-night station. AS they moved on again he Here it is," he announced. searched for news of his robbery. Bank robber ee-ludes police. Stop a second sos I can read it. The account was brief. It stated merely that the bank at North Collision, Connecticut, had been held up by a lone bandit early that morning; that the robber was believed to have gotten away with approximately $20,000; that his car had been found abandoned, but the man himself appeared to have made clean getaway; that there was no clew to his identity.
 "'No clew to his identity v quoted the Weasel, brimming with self satisfaction. "I'll say dey ain't. I pulled dat job clean an neat. l hey, wot da hell?"
 The paper had been suddenly twitched from his fingers. And Joe Sandman, eyes poping, was staring at the reproduction of a photograph that occupied almost the whole of the back page. Be- low the picture was the caption: SOCIETY GIRL ISS1NG - K1D- MATING FEARED.
 The blurb read:
 Up to a late hour last night nothing had been heard of Miss Caroline Archer who disappeared from the home of her parents, MT. and Mrs. George K. Archer of 895 Park Avenue, on Tuesday. Mem fers of Miss Archer's family could rot be reached by reporters to- day. But detectives in charge of the case fear that Miss Archer has been kidnapped.
 The Weasel was leaning over Joe's shoulder breathing sterto- rausly down his neck. Suddenly he emitted a low cry.
 Hey, dats, dat ." He broke oil. as if at loss for suitable words, and gestured first at the picture, then at the sleeping Kelly.
 "Yes," said Joe composedly you've got something. It's the same girl"
 But kidnapin'?" The Wease, seemed unable to go on. He was hoored.
 All at once something bright raced across Joe's eyes. He glanced at Kelly, stirring a little in her sleep He screwed his head part way around and looked at the Weasel, who sat on the candy case with his mouth hanging open Then, very quietly, he started the car.
 Weasel" he said in a whisper "punks like you sure hand me a laugh"
 The Weasel stared incredulously at the back of Joe's head.
 You mean" he said drawing long breath, dat you're kid napin' dis baby?"
 What else would l mean?"
 The magnitude of this idea SC impressed Ed the Weasel that for a full minute he sat silent and Won- dering. Then he pulled himself to- gether and gave vent to subdued whistle.
 q fought day wuz something screwy wid dis setup," said the Weasel shaking his head.
 Nothing screWy at all. I'm only doing what any other fellow with a brain between his ears would do. Listen, Weasel, I met this girl by accident. But as soor as I found out who she was, saw my chance. She was on heI way to Boston to marry some blrc up there. But her car got wrecked so she asked me to drive her tion of driving her to the moor as to Boston. And l was just just-er-figuring things out wher you came along. And now" - ht sighed regretfully-"I suppose IT have to cut you in"
 The Weasel grasped this. ThI was the kind of language he spoke He trust his gun against Joe'S back.
 You're tellin' me-" he said "I1l say you're gonna cut me 1T and how Cause I got gun see? An I'm runnin' the show plenty"
 "There you go," said Joe dis gustedly. Getting tough. Yot gun guys have no art, no finesse All you know is rough stuff. But me? Why, listen, I'm so slick that this girl doesn't even know she's being kidnapped. How about that?' Oats a good one said the Weasel appreciatively Being kid naped an she don't know it. How HaW!"
 Well" said Joe, with a trace of truculence, have I brains ol haven't I?'