Flight to the Lonesome Place Read Online Free Page A

that it didn’t matter too much, so long as he could keep his identity a secret. The possibility that the ship might have a few empty staterooms hadn’t occurred to him, but if he could find one without being discovered …
    There were several people standing at the rail of the boat deck, watching the loading. He slipped past them and darted through a doorway on his left. A short passageway opened upon a longer one lined with doors. He paused, uncertain. Suddenly, hearing voices coming from the curve on his left, he darted to the right and prayerfully tried the first door. It miraculously opened, and he slipped quickly into the stuffy darkness beyond.
    When his pounding heart had begun to beat normally again, he drew a deep breath, pulled off his jacket, and wiped his hot face with a handkerchief. Finally he reached for his flashlight.
    The beam showed a small stateroom with a narrow bunk on either side. The place had several lockers, a shower and toilet compartment at one end, and a washbowl in a corner.
    Then shock went through him as the beam fell upon a small traveling bag at the foot of one bunk.
    Ronnie whirled to the door. Before he could reach it and leave, it was thrust open in his face. There was the click of a switch, and the place was flooded with light.
    He found himself staring into the startled eyes of the tiny girl who had spoken to him at the Regency.
    â€œOh!” she gasped. “Oh! This is my stateroom. The captain said I could have it all to myself. What are you doing in it?”
    â€œI—I’m sorry,” he faltered. “I didn’t know it was taken.”
    â€œBut what are you doing here? Are you hiding from something?”
    The question rattled him. As he struggled for words, her face suddenly changed expression. Her little mouth tightened, and her dark eyes rounded and became immense, hard marbles that seemed to have a force all their own. He was so surprised that he stepped backward, away from her. But he did not move fast enough to avoid her darting hand. Her fingers closed over his heavy glasses and snatched them off.
    â€œOh!” she whispered. “I thought so!”
    He glared at her.
    â€œAnd your blue hair,” she said. “It was only a wig?”
    He shook his head and slumped down on one of the bunks. “I’m wearing a wig now to keep it hidden. And since you’re so curious, I’m running away. I—I just ducked in here to stay out of sight.” Then he added bitterly, “Now that you know about me, I suppose you’ll tell everybody I’m aboard.”
    â€œCertainly not, you silly thing.” She turned swiftly to the door and locked it securely. Coming back, she gave him his glasses, then settled herself cross-legged on the opposite bunk. She studied him like a little owl for a moment, and said, “Something perfectly awful must have happened to make you run away.”
    â€œIt sure did,” he muttered. “How did you recognize me just now?”
    â€œBy your voice—and the trouble sign hanging over you.”
    â€œHuh? What are you talking about?”
    â€œDon’t you know what the trouble sign is?”
    â€œI never heard of it.”
    â€œOh, dear.” She gave a sad little shake of her head. “And I thought you were so smart. If you don’t know what the trouble sign is, it would be hard for anyone to explain it to you. It—it’s something you feel. When I first saw you tonight at the Regency, it was so strong that it made me scared all over. That’s why I had to warn you immediately.” She paused a moment, and asked, “When trouble came, why did you hide on the Cristobal Colón? ”
    â€œBecause I remembered what you said about it, and I knew I had to get out of the country immediately. It’s my only chance.”
    â€œBut haven’t you any friends?”
    â€œNo.”
    She stared at him in astonishment. “Not even