The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-02
HAPTE

CHAPTER FORIY-1Wo
The defenders had all the ao'
vantage. They could e their ao'
~versaries, though only as SHAPE
less, slowly moving shadows. LIE
moon was beginning to wane'
They fired again three shots
each. and there came a yep u
pain from the attackers. Iney
ceased to advance, and opened nle
again. The bullets whlstled thlch'
and Tommy groaned:
"Oh. Lord! I amt no thin req
'ero-and 1 don't like this a Dlt'
1t certainly was not a comfort,
able feeling-the knowledge that i,
anv second, they might be hurled
sky high and dismembered. Gun 5
univ consolation was that if tina
happened at least the gang Woulc
be robbed of their precious mum
lions, so necessary to their vile
scheme. But eve that did MOI
stop a nasty prickling about the
scalp. and a sinking sensation near
the pit of the stomach.
Then came a sudden and well
come diversion, in the shape OF a
hoarse, believing voice. The man
was speaking in Italian as he caine
racing along, waving a revoiVef,
and it was plain that he was IN a
rage.
"He's telling them what they're
liable to do with those bullets,
announced Coral. Its evident they
don't want to lose their munitions
even if we go with them. Well
get no more shooting just now, l
think"
That doesn't stop u.s." said Gun.
'Let 'em have it, Tommy
They opened a brisk, inaccurate
fire, and soon they noticed that the
enemy was retiring. The one re-
manned, silent and still.
Gun and Tommy fastened their
movements with another shot or
two, but soon they were too lar
off to make shooting practicable.
At about three hundred yards they
ceased to crawl, and rose upright.
In that light it was merely a waste
of ammunition to pot at them, as
Gun pointed out.
The defenders now mad a chance
to look about them. Over in the
Factory lights had sprung up
everywhere and there was evident
ly considerable activity over there.
Il expect they're trying to wake
Trent or find Otto," Tommy COM
mented, and Coral added, with a
chuckle:
And they'll have a bit of a Job
to do either.'
we must get busy said Gun.
mo time to waste. Coal. stand
by the door trere-at the side
and keep a look out. Tommy, give
me a hand with these cement sacks
they'll make a nics breatwor:x
across the door,"
But when they dragged them
there, they would not stal.d up on
end.
Together trey went out and
dragged the lifeless body of the
sentry across the doo-, Using him
to prop The sacks against.
They observed that tie big man
who had GENE last, and the two
wounded nlen were now going
back toward the factory. The re-
naming three had spread them
selves out, and were keeping
guard. The moon was waning rap
idly.
It'll be as dark as the Heather
Chinee, before long" Tommy re-
marked. "And that won't be so
funny. They'll be able to creep up
close without us seeing them, and
rush us before we know where we
are"
LAS for that, I've got an idea"
eturned Gun. Screen your torch
with your body as much as possi-
ble."
And so, while Coral stood by the
oooi way dl1u hept d Gun
and Tommy worked busily a,nong
the munitions, breaking open the
cases, examining their contents,
and piling a lot of the stuff by the
door, ready for use.
What wind there was was blow
ing directly into the open door,
and Gun cursed it beneath his
breath with considerable fluercy.
If only it wasn't for that we'd
show EN-" he muttered. And then:
Bella NAN-COT p