Henderson daily dispatch., 1944-04-06
CHAPTER |
TIIIS time he knew they were

after him. Hand on the door.
he could hear ;hcir voices
echoing down the dim hotel corri-
dor, nearer than before, and, enter
ing the room, he closed the door
softly behind him.
Warmer in there. The scent of
perfume tioated toward him. Across
the bed lay Il wOman'S dress. "A pair
or stockings, and Il little hcap of
pale silk lingerie. On the table. an
open suitcase.
frowning. he stood hcsitant,
hand still on the knob, but outside
the clamor of excited voices was in
full cry-no going back now. The
mnn-hunt was on.
Again his eyes trayerscd the
room, then fixed upon the inner
door. Slowly 1t was swinging Open
A shadow fell across the floor,
and he found himself looking into
the startled eyes of Il girl.
He was conscious first of the
wlne-colorcd robe gathered tight
about her body; then of her hair
thick, full Of vitality, shading from
dark brown to an almost tairy light
neSs-hair that even in this breath
less second of discovery reminded
him of Il VOLTS pclt. And last of
all he was aware of eyes that were
smoky green and very long beneath
black. level lashcs.
Throughout tense. unforgct
table moment they stood at gaze.
while the ticking of Il clocl; grew
louder. He saw the blood mounting
To her checks and waited for the
cry that never came.
Instead she moved forward, Her
eyes passed from his far,, to the
heavy mackinaw. the wo"lcu field
clothes and high-tUp mucc:, ms. lie
heard the quick intake of her breath.
then the half whi:.porrd words.
what do you want"
The same quality Of richness in
her voice that he had noticed down.
stairs. But now he saw her fingers
tighten. ".lnSW'r mc'
Don't be frightened" He spoke
in a quick. low voice.
I'm not frightened. What are you
doing here"
No, she wasn't frightened
those cool green eyes told him she
would not bc frightened. She was
one of thos" who had learned the
futility of fear. The small hands
that claSpcd the folds of her kimO-
no-thcy weren't even trembling.
Rapidly she shook her head. "Yo ou
must go ut once or III
He raised Il hand to his lips
those voices were just outside the
door. She stopped, and like statues
they stood barely "a pace apart.
Noisily the voices passed down
the hall. and he permitted himself
to breathe again. She leaned for
ward. lips scarcely moving.
They are looking for youo"
He motioncd her back from the
door, but without stirring she
asked. Are you a criminal:"
NO"
"Thcn why" She was looking
at him more closely. "IIave seen
you bcforc?"
Downstairs, at the desk. You
were asking the clerk about planes
I" Lcaimonth. That's why came
here"
But ! still! don't"
"You want to fly To Lcnrmonth.
don't you? can help you get there"
The clerk said there were no
planes"
There won't be any scheduled
planes until tho lake is frozen over.
But ! can charter one. Its either
that or waiting here two weeks
maybe more"
IL can't wait two weeks. | have
to get there sooner! must"
He half smiled. 'Thcrc's 10 mast
in this north country"
"Thcrc is for me-" The color Of
her cheek dccpcned. Il have exactly
three dollars left" She walked to-
ward the window. then swiftly
turned. "Why do you need mc?'
"To arrange for the plane. They'll
be watching for me TO do that very
thing"
And you came to my room to
hide"
Again that fccting smile. at was
getting a little warm for me out
side"