The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-06-30
Al Blonde
For Bait
By Rob EDEN

A1pHlAnNtI Il iuu det lut
of deep satisfaction in his voice.
The chase is nearing its end. He
undoubtedly took the key, and
you've performed very valuable
service to your government as well
as to your company"
What are you going to do ?"
Ellen asked, trying TO keep the
panic out of her voice.
In the Morning
you'll know all about it in the
morning" Barringer answered.
Good night. now. Get a good
sleep. You've earned it"
Whether she had earned it or
not, Ellen didn't get moments
sleep that night. She tossed Tor
hours on her bed, twisting and
turning, desperately trying to put
all thoughts out of her mind. Des-
perately longing for the blessed
oblivion of Inconsistencies.
Over and over, every detail of
her association with Rick kept re-
turning to seethe through her brain
and keep her from rest.
The whole dizzy whirl of in
trigue spun round and round in
her mind, and finally she de-
SPARED of sleep and got up and
turned on the light. She tried to
read magazine, but the pages
kept blurring before her eyes, and
hard as she tried to concentrate,
she found her mind wandering TO
the events of the night before.
Chances at Clock
Finally, she glanced at the clock
and saw it was six o'clock. II
was light outside now, with the
first rays of the sun shining in the
windows. She turned off the read
ing light, and suddenly decided on
a cold shower. That might refresh
her-clear her brain.
She stood under the icy water
for five minutes, and felt much
better after a brisk rub down.
The morning paper-it should be
on the lawn by now. She slipped
on a dressing gown and her slip
pers and crept quietly down the
stairs so as not to awaken anyone
in the house.
She searched the flower beds
and the lawn and the porch, but
there was no sign of the paper, yet.
1t must be too early.
Again, she sat in her room, try
ing to read, trying to divert her
thoughts to something else, but
again she found it impossible. She
couldn't get Rick and the disap-
pearance of her file key out of
her mind.
She tossed aside the magazine
and started walking the floor. Pack
and forth, from the door to the
bath, back and forth, time and
again. her thoughts racing ahead
of her feet.
When she glanced at the clock
again, it was nearly seven and she
made another trip downstairs to
look for the paper. 1t hadn't como
yet. This morning. of all morn.
ings, it would be late! Maybe the
boy had forgotten to leave it?
Dressed for Work
Although it was nearly two
hours before she had to go to work,
she dressed herself carefully Tor
the office. 1t at least was some
thing to do some physical action
that would keep her from nervous
ly pacing the floor.
Just as she finished, she heard
the paper thump on the front porch
and glancing out the window saw
the boy riding his bicycle down
the street.
She almost ran down the stairs
and threw open the door. With
trembling hands. she opened the
paper and as she saw the glarng
black headline. a curious tightness
came suddenly in her chest and
she found herself almost painting
for breath. She read the headline
asain, aloud
PLANE EXPERT NABBED AS
SPY!
BarTinger had gone through
with it he had arrested Rick
Leslie last night!
ITO Be Continued