The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-02-23
Carol, Dorindo Flee
During the Niuht


Eat first l thought I'd call the
sheriff. But / was liable to get
bumped off myself while was
phoning and anyway, if he did
come, what good would it do? Mr..
Thorndyke would look at him in
that my good man sort of way he
has and explain I'd had a night
mare and Mr.. Poole would probably
apologize and withdraw leaving
whoever wanted to murder US to do
it at leisure. Look how they've
dropped that case of your friend.
I tell you, in small town like this
if you belong to one Of the old
families and have money you can
get away with anything. You're
sort Of like royalty"
I'm safe now," Dorinda told her
self over and over. I'm SAFE" Her
lips were close pressed to control
their trembling.
She made her voice steady.
Carol, it wasn't-it wasn't Edward
out there, was it?"
Carol hesitated. half turning her
head in the darkness to look at
Dorinda. Honestly, I don't know"
she said slowly. II don't think so.
1 didn't think so then. But people
whispering-they all sound alike.
You can't tell whether they're men
or women. For some reason
thought they were women. But I
could be wrong"
Dorinda's hand pressed the arm
so close to her own. 'I'm-Pm
grateful, Carol"
"You needn't be. -
She broke off sharply. The car
swerved as the wheel jerked in
her hands. 'Dorinda, I've been
watching the rear view mirror.
There's been headlights from an
other car reflected almost all the
way we've come. I thought we'd
lost them a while back but now
see them again. Maybe it's a diff
-ferent car. 1t doesn't necessarily
mean someone is trailing us. But
there's so little traffic on this road
especially at night"
Its no use," Carol whispered
between set teeth. II can't keep
that up. I'll wreck us both. And any,
way, haven't gained anything.
That car is just as close as before.
Maybe it's not following US. I
wish l knew"
Dorinda, watching over one
shoulder, could see in the distance
two yellow lights, like bright round
eyes. But another car - it didn't
prove someone was following them.
They're after us or they're not"
Carol had the manner of one who
has made decision. Wen find
out. Here's what we'll do, Dorinda.
A few miles farther on there's an
all-night hamburger stand. I'd
planned on stopping for coffee in any
event. l don't want to take any
chance of either of us falling asleep
at the wheel. The stand is quar-
ter mile from the main road and if
the car behind US turns off there
too, we can be pretty sure it's us
they're following"
Five minutes latter Carol gave an
exclamation of relief. Here's the
road. Look, you can see the lights
of the stand from here" And then,
after pause, did they make the
turn, Dorinda?"
They've made it." she asserted
family. Carol, they are following
US. And the cars closer. A lot
closer"
well, we've got this far any
way" Carol guided the roadster
into the empty space in front Of
the small eating house and stopped
the car with jerk.
1t was little place, glass-fronted.
with half a dozen stools, all vacant
now, lined up in front Of an oil
cloth-covered counter. Behind the
counter a glass pot of coffee SIM
mered on an electric grill; SHIN
mer of heat rose from black,
greasy-lookin metal sheet over 3
burning gas ring, The rattle OF
dishes came from the kitchen al
the rear. There was at least en- il
fusion of safety here.
fContinued Next Week.