The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-24
THIRTY-THREE

the sfounu-
Karl and Jules. startled by tbs
shots. had turned and were star.
ing at Ellen with unbelieving eyes
Lets get out Of here" Karl ex.
claimed, and started to walk to-
ward the mountain path.
Stop Stay where you are, OF
I'll use this gum Ellen ordered
They both stopped.
Walk over TO the side Of the
cabin and sit down, facing me,
she ordered again, and stay sew
eral feet apart" She waved the
gun to emphasize her instructions
Karl glared at her and seemed
about to say something, ther
thought better Of 1t. Both did as
they were told.
Satisfied they could do no harm
for the time being. at least, Ellen
turned her attention TO Rick.
Placing the gun carefully within
reach, she Graded his head in her
lap and tried to staunch the flow
of blood from a wound In his hair
with her handkerchief.
Aides Arrive
She was still sitting there, more
than an hour later, when Barringer
and Gwen and several OF the army
mems aides arrived after a sue
cessful landing in a large plane
with Gwen at the controls.
All were heavily armed.
While Barringer and Gwen knelt
beside the girl and the injured man,
the others spread out searching for
Rayburn.
Barringer expertly exam n d
Kicks wound and then dug into q
first aid kit Gwen brought him
from the cabin for bandages and
antiseptic. He soon had the bleed
ing stopped and a neat bandage
about Leslie's head.
VIII ut-Hlil Hc NC oil ilSue,
ma jor ?" Ellen asked, tears in her
eyes.
Just a surface wound" Bar
ringer answered. Made lot of
gore and knocked Rick out, but I
don't think his skull is fractured.
The bullet no more than grazed his
head. He's very lucky"
Ellen Sobs
Thank God" Ellen sobbed.
Gwen got a leather pillow from
the cabin, and with Ellen's help,
slipped it under Kicks head.
A sudden shout made Barringer
straighten up and he ran to where
one of his men was gesticulating,
beside a boulder.
He looked down, a grim smile
on his face, into the lifeless fea-
lures of Tom Rayburn.
Immaculate in life, he was still
in death, and the Army
officer thought grimly that the
dapper Rayburn, If he were able
to look down at himself lying there,
would have approved.
There was no blood visible, only
a small blue mark no larger than
the end of lead pencil in the CEN
ter of his forehead where a bullet
had brought a sudden end to his
career of thieving and double deal
ing.
Nice shooting" Barringer's aide
remarked. VERY neat"
After giving directions for NOV.
ing the body, the Army officer re-
turned to Ellen and Gwen, who
were seated on the ground beside
Rick. He was moaning a bit now
and showing signs of returning
consciousness.
Moistens Lips
Ellen dipped her fingers in cur
of water and moistened his lips
Soon his eyes fluttered open. stared
uncomprehendingly at the sky fol
moment, and suddenly he tried
to get to his feet.
"Ellen," he moaned. Ellen"
The girl took his hand anc
pressed it to her lips.
Take it easy, old man" Barrin'
ger soothed. You're all right
Just take it easy"
But Ellen-Ellen"
Only Barringer saw the flash oi
pain that appeared in Ovens eyes
momentarily. as she turned away
I'm right here, darling-rm al
right" Ellen said. And so are
you. You'll just have to be quie'
for a little time. that's all"
Where are Karl and Jules p
Rick asked, his voice growing
stronger. II had them all tied up
And Rayburn l just got fast
of him, and then-that's all re-
member"
Rayburn Dead
"Rayburns dead" Barringei
said, quietly. And Karl and Jules
thanks TO Ellen-are still with
us. sitting over against the cabin
with one Of my men guarding
them. You did a great job. Leslie.
He reached out his hand to Rick
I'm sorry that I went so far
wrong on you, old man. l wa;
awfully blind not TO get onto Ray
burn. But he was q trusted EN-
plcye-had been with Hendon 70,
years. and when We looked hin
up we couldn't find thing against
him. He was pretty slick. You
should be grateful 10 Miss Anvers
for what she did. II 1t hadn't been
for her"
I'D probably wound up at Alcs-
traz," Rick grinned; i know,
Major"
IF you hadn't been so darned
mysterious-so cagey about this
place, for instance. and then you
seemed to be so very friendly with
yorhis. We've had our eyes on