Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key Read Free Book Online Page B

it was something that, as Father O'Day had said, belonged to the future.
    Suddenly, for the first time in his life, Tony wondered what he and Tia could accomplish if they really tried. The possibilities startled him. What are we? he wondered. Where did we come from?
    It was only by a determined effort that he finally made himself go to sleep.
    The next thing he knew it was morning, and Tia was shaking him and whispering urgently, “Hurry and get dressed—we've got to leave! Mr. Deranian is outside with a policeman!”

JOURNEY
    I t was late in the morning and breakfast was on the table, but there was no time for it now. Tony flew into his clothes and caught up his bag. Tia, he saw, was already dressed and ready to leave. She darted past him into the storeroom, urged on by Father O'Day, who was struggling into his coat before his collar was fastened.
    “Straight through to the garage,” the big man ordered. “Get in the back of the car and crouch down.”
    In the garage was a small black sedan. Tony scrambled into the rear of it with Tia while the priest unlocked and threw back the door opening into the alley. Seconds later the sedan had swung right into the alley and was racing for the distant cross street.
    “They're probably coming on around this way now,” Father O'Day muttered. “But I think we have a few seconds to spare. I hate to run—only there's no arguing with a court order, and I'm afraid that's what Deranian has.”
    “He sure works fast,” Tony said unhappily. “Who saw him first?”
    “Tia did. Had no idea he was out there, though I was already up and dressed, praise be—save for my coat and collar.” The priest was still trying clumsily to fasten his round collar, which had one end adrift in the back. Tony reached up, and with a deft movement of his fingers managed to secure the loose end.
    The car slowed momentarily, then whirled into the thin traffic of the cross street. Tia whispered, “I woke up scared, so I knew something waswrong. When I heard someone knocking on the outside door, I peeked through the big room and saw them trying to get in. Mr. Deranian was talking to a policeman, and behind them was another man. I couldn't see very well. There was a green cab waiting for them.”
    Tony frowned. “Would you recognize the other fellow if you saw him again?”
    “I think so. He was wearing a pale-gray suit, and he seemed a lot heavier than Mr. Deranian.”
    The sedan slowed for a traffic light, stopped for agonizing seconds, then shot forward and whipped around another corner. Father O'Day said quickly, “Tony, sneak a look back, but keep your head down. I saw a cab turning into the far end of the alley before we left it. If it contains our hornless adversary, we may have troubles.”
    Tony raised up cautiously until he could see the street intersection they had just left. Presently he said, “You're right. It's a green cab, and they're following us.”
    “Has he still got the policeman with him?”
    “He sure has.”
    The priest made a rumbling sound deep in his chest. “That's not so good. If we shake them, they can stop at any call box, and in two minutes have every police car in the area looking for us. We'll have to pull something out of the bag. Now listen carefully:
    “I'm going to step on it and put some distance between us. When I swing around a corner, get ready to jump. I'll stop long enough to let you out. There'll be a drugstore on the corner with a side entrance… Get in there as fast as you can, and stay there till that cab goes by. Got it?”
    “Yes, sir. Then you think we should head for the bus station and get tickets for Red Bank?”
    There was a startled grunt. “How did you guess?”
    “Seems like the most logical move—if your friend Mr. Kozak is willing.”
    “Don't worry about Augie. They don't come better. I was trying to put through a call to him when that crew behind us interrupted. Anyway, I'll get him on the phone as soon as possible, and tell him to