The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-12-06
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

LIE DEF EN- lJENS ildu all the
advantage. They could see their
adversaries. though only as shape
less. slowly moving shadows. The
moon was beginning to wane.
They fired again hree shots
each, and there came a yelp of
pain from the attackers. They
ceased to advance, and opened fire
again. The bullets whistled thick,
and Tommy groaned;
"Oh, Lord! | amt no thin red
ero-and don't like this a Bit"
1t certainly was not comfort
able feeling-the knowledge that,
at any second, they might be
hurled sky high and dismembered
Guns only consolation was that if
that happened at least gang
would be robbed Of their precious
munitions, so necessary to their
vile scheme. But even that did not
stop a nasty prickling about the
scalp, and 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
came racing along. waving a revolt
yer, and it was plain that he was
in a rage.
Hes telling them what they're
liable to do with those bullets"
announced Coral. IT'S evident they
don't want to lose their munitions
even If we 60 with them. Wen
get no more shooting just now. /
think"
THAT doesn't stop us" 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 far
off to make shooting practicable.
At about three hundred yards they
ceased to crawl, and rose upright.
In that light it was merely waste
Of ammunition to pot at them. as
Gun pointed out.
The defenders now had a chance
to look about them. /Over in the
Factory lights Cad 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: - Ef--'sa'
And they'll have a bit OF job
to do either"
1--WE must get busy" said Gun
mo time to waste. Coral, stand
by the door there-at the side
and keep a look out. Tommy. give
me a hand with these cement
sacks-they'll make a nice breast.
work across the door"
But when they dragged them
there, they would not stand up or
end.
Together they went out ant
dragged the lifeless body Of the
sentry across the door, using him
to prop the sacks against.
They observed that the big mar
who had come last, and the two
wounded men 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.
"Itn be az dark as the Heather
Chinee. before long" Tommy re
marked. And that won't be 81
funny. They'll be able to creep W
close without us seeing them, anC
rush us before we know where W,
are"
AS for that, I've got an Idea,
returned Gun. Screen your torcl
with your body as much as posi-
BILE"
And so. while Coral stood by tn
doorway and kept a lookout, Gu
and Tommy worked busily amonI
the munitions. breaking open tn
cases, examining their contents
and piling a lot Of the stuff by tn
door. ready for use.
What wind there was was blow
ing directly into the open dool
and Gun cursed II beneath hi
breath with considerable fluency.
Up only II wasn't for that we
show EN-" he muttered. And then
And II II doesn't change prett
soon. we shall be In a mess"
Ohvfouqtv tina dark TINA woli