The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1947-05-08

bedroom door ajar and what 1t
disclosed to Lotus sent fear rae
ing down her spine. In the far
corner of the other room, bouEd
and gagged, was the still form of
the young red-haired boy who had
waited on her at the tobacc0nist's
His pale face with the faded
freckles was turned up to the
light and his eyes were closed;
one was rather badly discolored.
1t heartened Lotus to note the
steady rise and fall of his torn
shirt front. At least he lived. She
wondered what he had told them.
The officer met her startled
gaze and smiled irritatingly, "A
friend of yours, Miss Kirkman?"
His tone implied that she had
better tell the truth. She shook
her head. isn't he the clerk at
the tobacco shop?"
eyes, he was"
"Why is he tied like that?
What has he done?"
"The young man made a grave
error of visiting our apartment
during our absence. Unfortunately
for him we returned earlier than
we had first anticipated"
'You mean he was trying to
steal something's" she asked
naively.
He looked vastly amused.
Come, come, Miss Kirkman.
Surely you would not have us
believe that night club enter
tainer, a woman of the world, so
to speak, could be so unknowing?"
II don't know what you mean.
I didn't know l was getting into
anything like this. I'm going
back to the Cafe now"
He seemed to have forgotten
both Paul and Balch as he took
a step toward her.
Il find your company most toe
desirable to part with, Miss Kirk
man. You will please remain with
us, and quietly, unless you care
to join the gentleman in the other
room. We are not fooled so easily
you must realize that we could
not let you 60 after what you have
seen and heard here tonight, En-
my friends?"
He looked to the other men for
affirmation. They nodded slowly
In response to the officers
abrupt orders issued in a harsh
voice used to commanding and
being obeyed, Paul and Balch
packed and strapped the luggage
They inspected the gag and bind
ings on their captive in the next
room. Lotus noted with dismay
that the red-haired boy seemed to
be unconscious. If only he were
aware of what was going on she
could say something for his bene-
fit that later would reach Law
renee. But he gave no sign OF
hearing anything.
Doors and windows were locked
and re-eXamined; then the two
subordinates stood side by side
before the officer.
All it'll ready, thir," Paul an
nOunced as officially as was pos
sible. The statement was robbed
of its impressiveness by his lisp
however, and the fact that he
followed it with, What about
NTH Kirkman?'
The tall ones eyes were mock
ing. You are much concerned
over Miss Kirkman, are you not?'
Paul shrugged uneasily, afraid
to commit himself.
well, it is not difficult to I'M
derstand why" the other contln-
ued. She is quite attractive, and
for that reason she is coming with
us"
For the merest second Lotus
hesitated.
By this time, surely, Lawrence
and his men would know that
something had gone wrong. No
doubt the red-haired boy was en-
ployed by them to inspect the
apartment, and when he didn't
return within a certain time they
must have guessed his misfortune.
Hers too. She decided to accept
her fate docilely and wait for flu
ture events to arrange themselves.
But Paul didn't cross to the
front door
Motioning quickly with a crook
ed finger, he led them through the
kitchenGtte to a door leading onto
4 long, ugly hall. The back doors
Of the other apartments lined the
sides. with their respective garb-
age cans placed at even distances.
The paSsageWay was almost q
block long, and at either end a
stairs led to the street blow. But