heets out so
there won't be a hump which would attract attention. I'll have to get up
early and phone him at the studio for he's coming down to start the
revision of my material."
"You'll do no such thing," cut in the cowboy. "You've earned a morning
of sleep. I'll phone Jim Hill myself and explain where the manuscript is
hidden."
"Now I want to know just what happened." It was Helen speaking.
Janet shook her head.
"I don't know. I knew someone was prowling in the corridor, but I
couldn't stay there in the office all night and I couldn't get a phone
connection out. After I'd hidden the manuscript I turned out the light
in the office and started down the hall. Someone turned a flashlight
into my face, then I was grabbed around the neck and finally a cloth
filled with ether was smashed against my face. About that time I forgot
to remember and the next thing I knew you two were with me."
"How many jumped on you?" asked the cowboy.
"I can't be sure, but I'd say that it was one man who was capable of
moving very rapidly."
"One man could do it all right," nodded Curt. "I wish I could get my
hands on him and I'd teach him a thing or two."
"How did you two happen to get into the corridor? That's a question I'd
like to have answered," said Janet.
"I became worried when you didn't get back to the hotel at midnight and
I phoned Curt. He agreed to meet me at Radio City and we came up
together. It was as simple as that," explained Helen.
"Well, for once I'm glad someone worried about me," confessed Janet.
"And, oh what a headache that ether gave me. The water tasted good, but
I feel queer inside now. Bed is going to seem like heaven."
Chapter Twenty-seven
SUSPICIONS
When she was alone in her room, Janet fairly tumbled into bed but not
until she had picked up a letter Helen had brought up from the desk and
placed on the bedside table. When she was stretched out comfortably in
bed, Janet opened the letter. It was from home, her mother telling of
news of the neighborhood and of interesting little things about the
house.
Janet finished the letter, tucked it under her pillow, and snapped out
the light. She was glad that her mother did not know of the stirring
events of that night.
Janet slept late the next morning, for her fatigue had been heavier than
she had imagined. After an invigorating shower, she returned to her own
room and there found a note propped on the writing table.
"Have gone o
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