Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-11-15
CHAPTER Is

ter on his jaw. "You needn't be
frightened. I'll get you home safe"
He added, sourly: "He fouled me, the
rat!'
She asked nervously: "Do you think
you're we'll enough to drive? You
might turn dizzy, or faint at the wheel
Let me drive"
He laughed. He got into the driv-
er's seat. She climbed in from the
other side.
Here, take this, if you're scared!"
He put small flask on her lap. 81
don't need it. Frank just gave it to
me-"
Gingerly she unscrewd the cap, and
shifted. "Ugh! Brandy! I hate the
Stuff"
Presently, as they zoomed along the
highway, it was all she could do to
keep from looking behind, but knew
it would be a tactical mistake. 1t
would be letting Green know that
Zeke was following them. And in his
present ugly mood, he might pull the
car in to the side of the road and
wait for him;
On the other hand, she was afraid
of Green's driving. He was going
much too fast. When she remon-
strated with him, his reply was to
increase the speed of the car. The
after-effect of the blow on the head
seemed to be one Of exhilaration
rather than dizziness. He drove ac-
curately, but a light rain was now
falling, and she was afraid of skid
ding.
you'll get a ticket! The state
troopersll get after us!" she i'm
plored. Every moment she expected to
hear the sound of a siren. They must
have lost Zeke long way back.
"It's just like flying through the
air!" Green chuckled. 81 feel like I
can't get the old bus to go fast
enough"
It was three o'clock in the morn
ing when the telephone aroused Rup-
ert Van Auken from his bed. Only
a few business firms had that private
number. He'd forgotten that once when
there had been a scare of burglars.
He'd given it to Captain Murphy
of the nearest police station.
It was Murphy now on the line.
"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but
there's been a bit of an accident
nearby. Your daughter-Oh, moth
ing to be alarmed about, sir she's
here with me, but she seems a bit
dazed. It would be better if you could
come right over and get her, sir, be-
fore the reporters get wind of it."
In less than five minutes he was
dressed. Laurel, his wife, slept in
another room. Ten minutes later he
was at the station. Captain Murphy
was waiting for him.
"They skidded on Fifth Avenue, sir.
First into tree, and then smashed
a hydrant. One of my men brought
them in" He lowered his already low
tones, as he added, full Of sympathy
for his hearer: "Her clothes and the
care are saturated with er :.
brandy, sir. Neither of them would
have stood a chance if the car had
! caught fire. And the person with her"
- he coughed apologetically = 81
ought to warn you that the doctor
says he's full of dope, sir. He's be-
having a bit queer, and We'll have to
keep him overnight, I'm afraid. That,
and the reporters liable to drop in and
make trouble any moment, is why I
sent for you sir. I felt it was my
duty"
"I'm much obliged to you, Muir
ply, I shan't forget it. Take me to
her." Spoken tersely, but underneath
the sharp edge, Murphy could feel the
shock and hurt pride. He was sorry
for the young girl, too, with that
mother always off in Europe, and her
father so busy making the big dough.
Jean, a bandage around her fore
head, was asleep In CHAIR. Inc
smash had torn the cap off the flask.
A strong odor of brandy was about
her. Across the small office at the
back of the station, a swarthy fell
low with plaster on his left jaw sat
between two policemen, talking his
head off, as people under the in
fluence of drugs will do.
After the first shocked look at his
stepdaguhter, Rupert demanded of
Murphy: "Is that the man? If So,
who is he?"
eyes, sir. Name of Green. Very
slick. He owns joint called The
Blue OWL"
Rupert stared. His gaze shot harsh
ly to Jean. So she'd disobeyed him 2"
A taxi was summoned. Murphy