Evening star., 1940-08-30
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
The airport was only half a mile
beyond where he left Tom, but for
Jiggs that half mile drive was the
occasion for more troubled and con-
fused thought than he'd experienced
In years. Tom was a fugitive from
the law. and Tom was Jiggs' best
friend. For Tom he'd do onything
in the world; he'd gladly risk his life,
give up his job-the best job he'd
ever had. But right now there didn't t
seem to be anything he could do.
Even Tom didn't know how to pro-
ceed.
Leaving the small coupe in the
parking space, the stocky, pug-faced
little Irishman hurried to the ter
minal Offices. AS he approached the
building the giant arc lights flashed
on, indicating that plane was coming
in. An instant later he heard the
deep, pulsating roar of the bi-mo-
tored plane circling overhead-a
sound that always thrilled him no
matter how many times a day or
an hour he heard it. He almost
stopped to watch the landing, then
remembered his mission and hur-
ried on into the building.
In few minutes his call was put
through to Chicago and he heard
the operator ringing Chris number
Finally the operator said there was
no answer, asked if she could call
him back in 20 minutes. NO." Jiggs
said, don't bother"
He had made the call from the
airline desk where he was well
known. He said no more than Chris
Mallorys name and the clerk on
duty had understood, and promptly
given him the phone. Now Jiggs
moved away from the desk, abb
sently waving a hand in acknowl-
edgement of the clerks help. and
crossed the terminal waiting room
toward the flying field. When he
reached the door he had to step
aside to allow the passengers from
the newly arrived plane to enter.
Meets Chris and Rolfe.
Jiggs was looking at the passen-
gers, but he wasn't seeing them.
That is, he wasn't until he felt a
small hand suddenly grip his arm
and he looked up into the wide
brown eyes, set so solemnly in the
smooth white face of Christine NAL
lory
"Oh, Jiggs! I'm so glad you're
here. Have you seen-"
Come over here, Chris" Jiggs
interrupted her. He took her by the
hand and started to pull her toward
far corner of the waiting room.
but Chris pulled back.
Wait, Jiggs."
Then he noticed the tall. thin.
salloW faced man to whom she was
extending her hand. He'd come in
Just behind her apparently.
Ihls is Rolfe Suttle," she said.
Hes friend of Toms and mine" 4"
linen turning to Rolfe she said
This is Jiggs Reilly, Rolfe. He's
Toms mechanic"
The three of them moved toward
the corner of the room, but Jiggs
1elt reluctance now to tell Chris
what he knew. He couldn't tell her
tnat ne didn't want to talk in front
OF Rolfe Suttle and he was baf1ed
as to what to say. Then Rolfe him.
sell solved the problem by excus-
Ing himself to look after their bag
gage. AS soon as he was out of
earshot Jlggs gripped Chris arm.
l was just tryin' to get you long
distance. You know about Tom?"
Ae spoke softly, his bright little
blue eyes searching those of the girl.
OF course, Jiggs, I know. But
Tom couldn't have done it. I'm sure
OF that. There's some terrible mis-
take"
Breaks of Statement.
The words came as a shock to
Jlggs. 1t had never occurred to him
10 even consider that Tom might
have murdered his father. An oath
rose to his lips, but he valiantly
suppressed 1t and tried to speak
calmly. I've seen Tom. I know
where he is. He wanted me to tell
you-'
He stopped abruptly. Rolfe SUIT
te had reappeared from behind
them.
Trying to sound as II he were
continuing the statement he had be-
gun, Jiggs said: II call you later
at your hotel, Chris, If you know
Where you're going to stay"
Chris frowned, looking from the
little mechanic to Rolfe. She knew
that if Jiggs didn't want to talk in
front of Rolfe he definitely wouldn' t
DO so. And she didn't care to offend
Rolfe, who'd gone to all the trouble
OF coming out here with her, by
asking him to leave her and Jiggs
alone for moment.
I'll get you a room at the Will
bur, Chris" Rolfe put in. Its near
the airport and quite comfortable.
You can be all settled there in half
an hour"
Jiggs nodded. Looking at Suttle
pow for the second time, he couldn't
figure just why he'd been so ap-
prehensive of the man at first. He
had almost a fatherly attitude
toward Chris, although he wasn't
an old man, probably not much over
40. 1t was his shambling appear
anace, loose -jointed, dissipated, that
had given him the first bad impress
sion. He wondered for moment
whether he shouldn't go ahead and
tell Chris in Rolfes presence about
Tom and his present whereabouts.
But he didn't have chance, be-
cause Chris, in apparent irritation
over his reluctance, turned toward
the door, and Rolfe, with a wave OF
his hand in Jiggs' direction, fol-
lowed her.
Finds Mysterious Note.
Jiggs watched them go, then
slowly walked out of the building
and back to where he had parked
the car. All this chasing around
had netted him and Tom absolutely
nothing, Perhaps Tom would be