Trusted Like The Fox Read Online Free PDF Page B

had wanted a companion, so he had helped her, and now he was landed with a snivelling little bitch with less guts than a louse. If she had stolen the money and run off with him, not caring a damn, he could have forgiven her her plainness, but this blubbering killed any desire he might have had for her company.
    They had nearly been caught too. That copper had been quick. He had pounced on them as they were running like two frightened children along the Embankment. Ellis had gripped the policeman’s sleeve, dropped on one knee and had the big man over on his back in a moment. The fall had been a heavy one, and the girl and Ellis had gained a fifty yard start. Cars had stopped. People had shouted at them. It would have been all up with them if Ellis hadn’t pushed the girl on to a tram as it entered the tunnel leading to Kingsway. The conductor had been upstairs at the time and the lower deck of the tram empty. Although the policeman had shouted, the conductor hadn’t heard him. The tram made a tremendous noise as it rattled and banged through the tunnel.
    They got off the tram at Southampton Row, and had walked quickly through Russell Square into the back streets where Ellis had lodgings.
    Neither of them spoke to each other. Both of them were too preoccupied by the fear of pursuit to separate. The girl walked like an automaton; she seemed on the point of collapse. People looked curiously at them, but Ellis kept on, feverishly anxious to get to his room, away from the staring eyes. His landlady, Mrs Wheeler, was in the basement when they arrived and Ellis succeeded in getting the girl upstairs without anyone hearing or seeing them.
    The girl had slumped down on the bed and had begun to weep. It seemed that she was never going to stop weeping.
    In the street below a policeman sauntered past, paused to have a word with the postman collecting letters from the pillar- box opposite the little grey house. Ellis eyed the policeman, aware of a tight feeling in his chest. Would Whitcombe and the woman with the handbag go to the police? He thought they were certain to. Before long, probably already, his description would be in the hands of every flatfoot in London. He clenched his fists. If they caught him it wouldn’t take them long to discover who he really was; then instead of a month’s imprisonment they’d hang him.
    The girl said suddenly in her toneless voice: “I’m hungry. Have you anything I could eat?”
    Ellis reluctantly left the window and stood over her.
    “Something to eat?” he said. “This is no time to talk about food.”
    She rolled over on her side, burying her head in her arms. “I’m so hungry,” she wailed. “You don’t know how hungry I am . . .”
    “Pull yourself together,” Ellis said furiously. “You’ve got to get out of here. I can’t have you in this room.” Then seeing she was lost in her own misery, he caught hold of her and jerked her up. His fingers circled her arm. “Come on. Pull yourself together,” he repeated when he was sure she was looking at him.
    She twisted away from him and folding her arms across her stomach she rocked herself to and fro while she sobbed hysterically. “I’m so hungry,” she burst out. “I haven’t had anything to eat for days.”
    He drew back exasperated.
    “I don’t care,” he said, wanting to shout at her but controlling his voice with an effort. “You’ve got to get out of here.”
    She continued to sob hysterically. “I wouldn’t have taken the money if I hadn’t been so hungry,” she moaned. “Please give me something to eat . . . anything. I can’t go on. I can’t stand it any longer.”
    He caught hold of her, dragging her to her feet.
    “I haven’t anything to eat here, you fool,” he said savagely. Now get out. You’ve got money. Get yourself something to eat, but don’t bother me.”
    She looked wildly into his mean, hard eyes, then her face stiffened and she went limp. Ellis made no attempt to help her. He stood