Evening star., 1942-01-11


until he can look straight into its ugly snout.
He wonders why it stops there. and all Of a
sudden he realizes that when the general
says maple" he means Dams own personal
reserved seat. He is a stand-in for the bulls
eye and that three-inch gun is just about fifty
yards away!
There isn't time to move. Anyway he 10
scared stiff like the petrified forest Of Ari-
IONA. The whole world suddenly blows up.
and locomotive s1eeches by above him
with its whistle wide open. He has both arms
around the tree trunk, and his face is pressed
up against it. The only way he can tell he 10
still alive is by the taste of some bark that
he bites off the tree when the gun goes of.
A shower of leaves and small branches drift
down from above. Then something else comes
down from the top of that tree and it's not
leaves. It's guy.
This guy comes sliding down, legs locked
around the trunk He is a. scared as Dan,
but he is doing something about it. What he
is doing is getting behind Dan and at the
same time pointing a revolver at him.
''Silence!" he whispers. mot move"
Looking into revolver is relief after
looking into three-inch gun, but still it is
not the thing Dan would pick to have point
ing at h s stomach. The little guy looks like
he means business He is dressed in brown
coveralls the same shade as the bark, and
has leaves stuck in his hat. Around his waist
he has camera strapped tight, camera with
telescope lens in front. He digs the gun into
Dams ribs and he whispers, you will stay
here without sound until they have all left" "
And them" Dan whispers back.
The guy grns. And then you will continue
to stay. Stay permanently, if you get what
mean. He twists the gun a little, and pushes
his camera in back of him 80 that it 10 out of
Dams reach. Il made few snapshots of that
noisy little fellow down there" he says hap
PLY. ''The engagements should be excellent"
Dan glares. YOU you wise guy. huh7"
VERY wise, says the little guy, grinning.
And very clever. In my profession. if you
are not wise and clever - HimmsE'
The world blows up again. The locomotive
rushes past over their heads. The tree groans.
They freeze stiff with fear. But it is Dan that
comes out of it first this time. He throws both
arms around this guy and gets the revolver
pinned to the guys side. The guy swears and
they teeter ON the limb. But not for long.
They roll off together. bounce off from the
limb below and land together in the rear seat
of the generals open car, parked below.
Dan is the one underneath He is out
but not like light. 1t is slow fade. And just
before everything turns black he hears
voice. It is the n-shooting general and he
yells, What was it - crows?" Then comes
another voice. The Someone who is incognito
shouts, Crows? Eagles at least!"
ApT Inspector is shaping a wet handker.
chief against Dams forehead Wnen As opens
his eyes, and Sergeant Hansen is on the Other
side looking worried. Easy does it." says
the inspector. when you feel we'll enough
Mr.. You-know- What wants to shake hands
with you. That guy you nabbed had filmed
the whole show" Hansen pats Dams back.
"A nice piece of work, Pussy" he says.
ThA ;nor,ac<or Tr.,r,v,. ssEr<S.ra< <kn sD.,..,.s