Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-09-12
INSTALLMENT 30

u pCslcI ste, bIlbtSu odlu.
Bigger saw, after Britten had
opened the door, four cars stand
ing in the snow with headlights
glowing.
who's that?" Britten called,
The press!"
There's nothing here for youi"
Brit'en called in an uneasy voice.
Don't stall us' a voice answer
ed. "Some of i''s already in tic
parers. You may as well tell the
rest
What's In the papers?" Britten
asked as the men entered The base
ment
A tall red-iaced man showed his
hand into his pocket and brought
forth newspaper and handed u
70 Britten.
The Reds saw you've charging
EN- with sririting away The old
na~'s daughter"
Bigger darted a glance az the
waper from where he was: DC saw.
PED NABBED AS GIRL VANISH
rs.
God d said Britten.
"Phewi" said the tan red-faced
man. "What a night Red arrese-
I'd Sncwstorn. And his place
down here looks like somebody's
been murdered"
Gene son. YOU" said Brft ten.
You're i'm Mr. Dalton's mouse
nov"
"on. I'm sorry" Where's the
old man?"
Upstairs He doesn't want 20
he bothered"
rs that girl really missing, CT is
this just a slunt?"
81 can't lyell you anything"
Britten said
who's this boy, here?" Keep
quiet. Bigger" Britten said.
rs ne the one Erlone said ac-
cuSed hln?"
bigger stood against the wall and
locked round vaguely.
You going to pull the dumb act
on us?" asked one Of the men.
listen. you guys. said Britten.
Take it eesy. I'll go and sec if the
old man will see YOU
That's The tine We're wal ing.
All the wires are carrying this
story"
Britten went MP the sters and
left Bigger standing with the
crowd of men.
Your names Bigger Thomas?"
the red-faced man asked.
Keep quiet, Bigger" said one of
pritten's men Bigger said moth
ing.
Say. what's all his? This boy
can talk if he wants to-"
This smells like something big
to me" said one of the men.
Bigger had never seen such be-
fore: he lid not know now TO act
toward them or what to expect OF
them. They were not ricn and
distant like Mr. i1alton. and they
were harder than Britten, but in a
more impersonal way. a way shat
maybe was more dangerous than
Britten'S. Back and forth they
walked across the basement floor
in the glare of the furnace with
their hats on and with cigars and
cigarettes in their mouths Bigger
felt in them q coldness that disre-
garded everybody They seemed |
like men out for keen sport. They |
would be around a long time now
that Jan had been arrested and
questioned. Just what did they |
think of what he had told about |
Jan? Was there any good in Brit |
tens telling him not 20 talk 70 |
them? Bigger's eyes watched the |
halled newspaper in a white mans |
elCved hand. IF only he could read
that Daperl The men were silent, |
waiting for Britten to return Then |
one of them came and leaned |
against the wall. near him. Bigger |
looked out Of the corners of his |
eyes and said nothing. He saw the
man light cigarette.
@Snoke, KIDD" "Nawsuh," he |
mimbled
He felt something touch the
center of his palm. He made
Move to look, but whisper check
ed him.
Keep still. It's for you. l want |
YOU to give me the dope
Bigger's fingers closed over
slender Wad of paper; he knew at
ono ethat it was money and that
he would give it hack. He held the
money and watched his chance
Things were happening so last
that he felt he was not doing fun
Justice to them. He was tired. On,