The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-11-16
Before he Blitzkrieg
by Rupert Grayson
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE


GUN AND Tommy were both
feeling the restrictions In diet, de-
spite the fact that they had been
able to alleviate the discomfort by
ekeing out the little store Of cold
bacon and such non-perishable
stuff as they had been able to con-
ceal. But this had now all gone,
and they were down to only four
cigarets, plus a collection Of fag-
ends, which they had carefully
saved, and which would form some
sort of a substitute when broken
up and rolled In some tissue paper
which Gun had found In a cup
board.
They found their days rations-
two loaves Of bread and a quart
jug of water, on the kitchen table.
Sambo had been taken from them
two days before, there nov being
nothing for him to cook.
They used half the drinking wa
ter to wash in, although they knew
they would suffer for lack Of 1t
later.
About eleven o'clock, Trent
strolled in, smoking a fragrant CT
gar.
well, you fellowship enjoy
ing yourselves
Splendid, thanks" retorted
Gun, defiantly, while Tommy
slipped around the table so ~ to
get between the visitor and the
door.
"Hullo, what's your game" de-
manded Trent. sharply, spotting
the move.
Just this" said Tommy. with a
nasty grin. You seem determined
to starve us to death. and before
we get too near to II I am pro-
posing to satisfy growing ambi-
ton to knock your block off,"
Trent laughed, and Tommy
found himself staring into the
muzzle of an ugly automatic.
I've been expecting this move"
Trent announced. But I wouldn't
try 1t, II were you. Your obsti-
macy Is rather firing me, any
way"
Tommy glared. snorted, and
then dropped his hands and I'M
clenched them.
That's better Now, why not do
what I ask, and you'll get all that
you want, and more. Just think,
now, Of a nice, juicy steak, with
spinach and potatoes. Coffee, IL
queur brandy. and cigarets to fol-
low. eh?"
You can save yourself the trou-
BILE of talking about It," said Gun.
Il dream of 1t every night"
do you ?" Tren shot a quick
glance at Gun. It seemed to him
that he had started off much the
more resolute Of the two, though
less talkative and openly defiant
than Hazeldeane. But now II
struck the astute Trent that he
was weakening. Which proved that
he was not so astute as he might
have been. for that was precisely
the impression that Gun desired to
convey
Now his expression was strained,
and his fingers drummed restlessly
on the table. Gun could act when
he liked
We'll, what's the answer to the
usual question tonight? ?" Trent
asked.
THE usual answer to the usual
question:" growled Tommy. "And
now get to hell out of 1.-THE place
smells better when you're not
here!"
That night they smoked the last
Of the cigarets. and In the morn
ing when they woke they found
the doors OF the bungalow locked
on the outside. and guards patrol
ing around the place who threat
ened them with their rifles every
time they appeared at a lower
window. They had now been de-
prived Of what little liberty they
had had
That day was the worst they had
had yeti The close confinement
made them irritable, which state
was accentuated by the inability to
either wash or shave. Their water
was issued in three small rations,
and their thirst was too great to
enable them to save the quantity