"Avenger - 4303 - Calling Justice, INC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Avenger)

When the bus pulled in to Daytona Beach the driver announced a ten-minute stop-over. Everybody
descended. Some of the passengers trooped into the Coffee Pot next door, while others strolled
across to the beach. Mr. Joplin beamed at Nellie as he helped her down from the bus. He took her arm
and led her out of the bus terminal to the street.

"I'll leave you now, my dear--"

Suddenly he stopped short, sucking his breath in with an audible sound.

Nellie glanced in the direction in which he was staring, and saw the familiar green convertible,
parked about fifty feet away.

"Excuse me," Mr. Joplin said hastily. "I think I'll go out the back way. It's nearer to where I
have to go. Good-by, my dear. And remember--the Sunset Hotel!"

That furtive, frightened look was back in his eyes as he let go of her arm and hastily retreated
toward the rear of the bus terminal.

Nellie watched him, saw him go out through a door at the rear and disappear into the alley
behind the terminal.

Nellie turned and looked down the street. The green convertible was still there. But the
long-faced man in the tan sport coat was nowhere in evidence. Neither was the driver of that car.

Nellie held the brief case tight under her arm and went into the Coffee Pot. She barely had time
for a cup of tea before the driver announced that it was time to leave. When the bus pulled out the
green convertible was gone. And Nellie Gray was alone in her seat. Mr. Joplin had not returned.


CHAPTER II.
THE SUNSET HOTEL.

It was evening by the time the bus reached the Flagler Street Terminal in Miami. Nellie had
reservations in the swanky Coronado Hotel, but she went to the Sunset instead. She was intensely
eager to delve into the mystery of Mr. Joplin and his brief case. She registered at the Sunset Hotel
as Elsie Jones and got Room 301, which was a corner room. As part of the service, the bellboy left a
copy of the local evening paper with her. and Nellie idly glanced at the headlines. Suddenly she
stiffened. She read:


MAN MURDERED AT DAYTONA

An unknown man was found, stabbed to death, in an alley behind the Fleetwood Bus terminal at
Daytona Beach. Police state that the object of the murder was doubtless robbery, for the victim
had been searched with special thoroughness, even to the extent of ripping the lining of his
coat. The killers removed everything they found on the victim's body, even to his keys. There was
nothing left by which to identify him immediately. The dead man was recognized by terminal
employees as a passenger on the Miami bus, which had stopped at Daytona for ten minutes--