The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-07-11
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Major Barringer! Major Bsrrin-
ger, I must get hold of him. some
way. The thoughts raced through
Ellen's head as she returned to her
own office with the pile Of letters
she had completed for Tom Ray
burn.
Before she sealed the letters in
their envelopes. she took up her
phone and called Barringer's office.
There was no answer, so she hasti-
~ dialed his home.
Sorry" his servant said, but
the major is not here. Hes stu
away, Miss Anvers."
She almost sobbed in her disap-
pointment.
Here, she was confident she had
the solution of the theft OF govern
ment plans from the factory, and
she could find no one to turn to.
On impulse, she called Rick Les
lie and when she heard his voice
at the other end of the wire, she
all but broke down.
"Rickw she cried. into the phone.
Il must see you, at once"
What? What's that? Where
are you?"
Phone Clicks
The phone clicked, and his voice
was gone. For a moment she didn' I
realize what had happened.
Then she saw a hand resting on
the phone key, hand that had
broken the connection. She knew
who it was before she looked up.
Rayburn was regarding her with
cold eyes.
I'm waiting" he said. You
can do your telephoning later"
Anger flared in her suddenly,
and as quickly subsidized. In its
place came a feeling of fear - of
dread. What did he intend to do ?
"You-you needn't wait, Mr.
Rayburn," she said. II can get
home by myself tonight"
I'm taking you" he said, short
| ly. Were going to dinner
"But-but l have an engagement
an appointment" she struggled
for a logical excuse. Il have an
appointment at the beauty shop
Lets CO." he ordered.
How about the mail p" She
chung to any excuse to fight for
time.
Might Call
Maybe Rick would call back
Maybe he had caught the panic in
her voice, and would wonder what
was up.
Forget the mail" Rayburn said
Let's get going"
Obediently, she cleared her desk,
picked up her purse, got her hat
from the hanger in the corner, and
turned 10 lDe uOOr.
It would do no good to let him
know she was afraid - afraid Of
him-afraid of what might happen
to her. Somehow, she contrived
smile.
"All right" she said. I'm
ready"
She walked by his side through
the all but deserted plant. She
managed to say good night to the
officer at the front door, and they
went directly to the parking sta
ton.
For a moment she considered the
ACCESSIBILITY of boiling it.
But Rayburn, as if anticipating
her intention, took her elbow,
helped her into the car and
slammed the door.
He was around the car, and
under the wheel in another mo-
ment, and the opportunity had
passed.
Perhaps at the restaurant, she'd
have a chance to phone Rick again,
or call her mother to let her know
where she was.
But Rayburn gave her no oppor-
tunity to leave the table. He sat
across from her, silent, except for
ordering his meal, and made no
move to leave. He did scribble a
note on a piece of paper he took
from his pocket and hand it to the
waiter.
Read Message
Call that number, and read the
message to the man who answers,
he directed. He gave the man a
dollar with the note.
It was difficult meal for Ellen,
in fact she scarcely touched the
food that was served. She had
no appetite, and the few bites she
did take seemed to stick in her
throat.
When Rayburn had finished his