l.

"Tonight," Drake heard him say in a low voice. "Make sure it's
unlocked."

They were gone up the little incline when he stepped out on the path
once more. Drake had been forced to make a decision.

* * * * *

In spite of his addiction to the bottle, Jim Drake's body was hard and
supple as he raced toward the car. Digging around in the trunk he
brought out a sharp file. Thank God for Puffy Adams and his early safe
cracking days. Returning to the cage he made sure no one was about.
The door was a strong affair behind the inner building, hidden on the
side of the hill. He started to file hurriedly on the Yale that held
the bolt in place.

The fox came toward him and sat down patiently just inside the door.
Its eyes never left his face as he worked. The curve of the lock
separated and with a quick motion he tossed it from him. The animal
came out swiftly as he opened the door. It trotted at his heels and
they kept to the underbrush, running toward the car.

Pushing the door open with shaking hands, Drake said, "In--quickly,
and stay on the floor."

The beautiful animal leaped and settled close to the floor boards.
Drake rounded the car and in a minute they were purring swiftly toward
the main highway.

From behind him somewhere in Wildwood Zoo, a sharp cry of alarm went
up. His theft had been detected. In five minutes the roads to town
would be blocked by police patrols.

Jim's forehead wrinkled into tight furrows. The coupe was doing
eighty-five. With one hand he reached down and petted the fox's smooth
head.

"You snap at me," he warned, "and I'll send you back to your cage."

A warm tongue touched his hand softly.

The police sirens were dying now, and he breathed with relief as they
passed the city limits and swept into heavy traffic. Slowing down a
little, his forehead smoothed out and a sly smile swept across his
face. Fifteen minutes later Drake eased the car into the alley behind
the apartment hotel.

There was no one on duty at the freight elevator. With the silver fox
in his arms Drake made a hurried entrance and shortly they reached the
private floor of his apartment. He placed the animal carefully on the
floor and with his key opened the door.

Puffy Adams was stretched across the bed. His eyes opened with a jerk
at the sight of Jim's passenger, and he drew himself toward the safety
of the far end of the bed.

"Well," Puffy said hesitantly. "If you go for t