The Wilmington morning star., 1940-06-11
P&<uf KILLER $pEAkS
EHI NJ w. R,cHARDIHoueAToN 9
CHAPTER ~THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TH1RTY-SEVEN
I continued to adjust my clothes
hanging by the galley stove until
regained my composure. 1t woule
not do to let the crew know l rec
ognized my kidnaper among them
They thought I couldn't identity
him. They must continue to thint
so. That was why nothing hac
been done against me. It was con
sidered perfectly safe to wait.
"We-ell, let's get going" drawlee
Pete as he rose from the table
"Berger's wharf is just around the
bend"
The men filed out the door anc
down the steps to the main deck
of the barge. The big fellow walkec
stopped over, which I knew was
assumed as a disguise.
How long before we make this
landing?" I asked the cook.
"About five minutes"
1 looked down the ladder after
the men. In the swirling fog 1 coulo
barely distinguish the crew as DARK
shapes moving among the potato
sacks. Two of them paused to lgh,
cigarets and I saw their faces
There was nothing sinister about
them.
The cook certainly didn't look
like a criminal type. I decided to
take a chance on him. I've got to
get off at this landing" I told him.
will anyone object?"
Well, l don't know. Mebbe it
isn't safe. ] don't know why, but
somebody was trying to kill you a
while ago. Mebbe you'd better not
leave u.s."
You think I'm safer on this
boat than ashore alone?"
How do you know you'd be
alone?"
II think 1 can take care of that,
with your help. I've a feeling I'm
not safe here"
Il sure amt a murderer, if
that's what you mean"
II don't think you are" 1 re-
assured him. Il owe my life to the
men on this barge, but at the same
time l have a feeling that the man
who wants to kill me is not a
stranger. Am l right?"
The little man was fabbergast.
ed by the question. He looked I'm.
easily at the door. "No-ow, that
a kinda strong thing to say. But ]
Il guess you're right. We gotta
pretty good idea. We amt going
to let him get away with murder,
though, not on this boat"
That's all l want to know.
You'll be glad to have me off the
boat?"
'Mebbe that sounds too I'M
friendly. We don't want no MUIR
der, that's all"
Good. I've got to arrange to get
away. I haven't got anything
against Pete or you-or this boat.
All I need is fifteen minutes ashore,
to telephone friends to meet me at
the next landing down the river"
You're not going to call the pc.
lice?"
mo. And all you need to do is
to put out the light long enough
for me to get down those stairs.
I'll take my chances, and be back
in fifteen minutes. Nobody will
ever know you helped me-"
ITS a 60. You're in a tight spot.
Mebbe that's the best way out
if you don't call the police"
Come along with me, if you
want"
He shook his head. THAT would
be worse, if anyone saw me Get
ready. Here's the landing"
The propeller had been thrown
in reverse, and now the chug OF
the motor died. We staggered as
the barge bumped.
The cook blew out the galley
lantern, as though the rough land.
ing had effected it, and I duckeo
out the door and down the stairs,
The lantern was quickly lighted
again, but l was safe among the
piles of sacks.
An electric light burned above
the wharf, but its glow was
dimmed by the fog. The crew
threw out the gangplank anc
started trundling hand trucks
ashore for the waiting pile O.
sacked potatoes. An idle h a n {
truck stood near me. I grasped the
handles and boldly joined the line
keeping my head down.
In the confusion I passed unno
ticed. l pushed the truck into thu
shadows at the far side of the pile
Bella LANAN-COURT f