Evening star., 1941-01-16


ing door. He still had exactly $1.33,
subtracting from his former total,
81 for the meal and 2 cents for the
paper.
The clear mid October evening air
was refreshing. Kelly breathed
deeply, filling his lungs. The dead
weight of his manuscript lightened.
The street upon which Kelly was
walking was strangely empty for
this time of evening. He supposed
that the strollers had disappeared
toward the parks. The night air
was touched with the chill Of the
long winter ahead. Kelly walked
aimlessly.
He had turned into an apartment
district. He realized with q start
that he had not noticed his direc-
ton. He had been deeply immersed
in morose thoughts.
The buildings Kelly saw were new
and modern. Along the curb, long,
sleek automobiles were parked. Kelly
did not notice any chauffeurs, but
they would appear quickly when
they were wanted.
He had passed the third apart
ment. when he saw the frantic girl.
Far down the street he glimpsed her,
and she was running his way. Not
just hurrying; frantically, hysteri-
cally running. Her white dress was
streaming out behind her, part of it
grasped in her hand. Kelly could
see that because she had just passed
a street lamp. In moment he was
in full stride toward her.
Kelly was close before he saw the
man. But even though the distance
was short, Kelly could not quite
make out what he looked like. AL
he got was an impression of a huge.
barrel-like figure. The girl was
twisting her head toward her pur-
suer, as though she was hoping that
he would suddenly disappear. But
the man was gaining.
Kelly gauged the distance. He
knew suddenly that the chase would
end just about where he was now
running.
The dark doorway to his left was
just what Kelly wanted 1t looked
like an entrance to a cellar apart
ment. Kelly sidled into it. He was
breathing quickly. although he had
not exerted himself.
The silent, desperate chase had
impaired an eerie tenseness to the
night air. Kelly could sense that
Automatically, swiftly, he placed his
manuscript upon the cement step
Kelly to the Rescue.
The girl was only 10 feet away
now. Kelly could hear her breath
rasping in short, labored gasps
There was a deep, strangled sot
within her that she was trying tc
erupt, and she wasn't succeeding.
The pursuing man was only q few
steps behind her and there was q
satisfied, positive pant in his breath
ing. The girl stumbled past the
doorway. Her legs were slowly fold
ing beneath her. Then the man was
abreast of Kelly.
In a quick flash, Kelly noted the
others body. Short and thick set
with long dangling arms ant
stumpy. surprisingly quick legs. Ths
soft felt hat was pulled down al
around, hiding effectively any
glimpse of the face.
Kelly lunged forward in one quick
engulfng step. His tightly clenched
fist flashed upward. A startled, As.
tonished grunt exploded from thu
other man as Kelly's fist sledge.
hammered against its target, just
behind the ear. Kelly brought hi.
left hand down in a lightning, slop.
ing arc, crashing into the short
side ribs of his adversary. The mar
spun halfway around, paved tn,
air frantically as though trying tt
hold himself erect by some invisibl.
handle. Then his body crumplet
slowly, as Kelly watched, seemingly
folding within itself There was {
final quiver as the short leg.
Strengthened on the sidewalk. Tit
felt hat rolled crafty, lopsidedly
then rested upon its crown Il. still
Kelly Madigan shot a brief, flick
ing glance at the PROSTATE man
Then he turned toward the girl
She, too, was down on the sidewalk
her body curled into still lump. She
was sobbing quietly, brokenly, and
Kelly saw that it was not with fear
that her voice was tinged, but with
exhaustion.
Kelly Declared In.
He strode quickly to her side and
stopped over. He did not touch her
He knew better than that. He
glanced up and down the street. II
was deserted except for q slowly
cruising taxicab that was coming
toward them. Kelly waved. The
taxi wheeled on toward the curb.
Kelly said quietly, Its all right 81
At his words the girl twisted away