The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-17
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slant use"
He pushed the girl toward the
front door of the apartment. OPEN
ed the door a crack and peered
down the hallway.
Apparently the way was clear,
for he swung it wide, glanced the
other way TO be sure of his ground
and then grasped Ellen firmly by
one arm. Jules took her other
arm and they walked slowly down
the hallway.
Feels Gun
At number 421, they paused and
Ellen felt Jules revolver against
her ribs as Karl took key from
his pocket and opened the door.
In a moment she was inside and
Karl had escorted her to a couch
facing the door, and pushed her
down. He had clicked on the
lights as they entered, and the
room was brightly illuminated.
Jules carefully closed the door,
then shifted the gun from his left
hand to his right. He pulled the
magazine free from the grip and
drew back the barrel, making sure
there was a bullet in the firing
chamber.
Satisfied. he replaced the mag
azine and patted the weapon affec-
tionately.
Karl walked over TO Ellen, un- ,
tied the handkerchief gag. and
tossed it to Jules.
Put on your gloves and wipe
all those fingermarks off the gun"
he directed. Jules took a pair of
gray silk gloves from his pocket
and put them on. He carefully
went over every inch of the gun
with the handkerchief.
rs the gun in good shape ?"
Karl asked, slowing away the
handkerchief which Jules returned
to him.
Perfect" Jules answered. LES
lie keeps it in good condition. It's
a little small in caliber, but it'll
do the business at close range, all
right"
Karl Grins
Karl grinned as he saw the look
of horror reflected on Ellen's face.
"Yep-you're right. It's Rick
gun. I forgot to mention that lit
tie detail before. 1t will further
complicate things for your boy
friend when the cops trace the
ownership"
you devil" Ellen cried, leap
ing to her feet. Unmindful of her
own danger, she rushed at him,
tearing her hands free from the
loose cords.
Karl neatly sidestepped the girls
rush. flashed out with the heel OF
his hand and caught her squarely
on the point of the jaw. She went
down on the floor in heap.
Hate to hit lady," Karl said.
as he dragged her to her feet.
But you should have more sense
than to try anything on men He
noticed that her hands were free.
"Oh, SO you got them loose. en-?
Well, never mind, I intended to
take the cords off anyway. Might
not look right if your body was
found with your hands tied be-
hind you"
| Looks Around
He stood the girl on her feet,
facing the door. Half dazed, she
looked around. She saw that she
was in Kicks apartment.
She had guessed right about
Karls place being close by, a hide
out that had been used to spy on
Leslie.
She recognized the furniture. the
shell lamp and the heavy dark
green Grapes hung at the WIN
dows.
Her senses were returning rap
idly and she was conscious of
something sharp pressing into her
flesh beneath her sweater.
The ash tray! She had forgot
ten it. Perhaps
Her thoughts were interrupted
by a sharp knock on the outer
door.
Quick, Jules-behind that cur
TAIN" Karl ordered. Jules hastily
obeyed, and Ellen's eyes, as though
fascinated, turned toward the
drapes. She could see the dark
muzzle Of the automatic pointing
directly at her heart.
Karl took quick step 10 the
door. -.
Come in" he called in a loud
voice, right against the door.
Handle Turns
The handle Of the door turned.
The door swung open. Gwen,
stood, blinking in the bright light.
In a flash, Karrs hand darted
out and grabbed her arm and jerk
ed her into the room.
His other hand swung viciously,
and Ellen heard a sickening smack
as it struck Ovens cheek. She
spun dizzily and fell to the floor.
Ellen just had time to thrust her
hands under her sweater and grasp
the steel ash tray.
A shot rang out, and she felt
herself falling.
ITO Be COntinuedl