Part 31 (1/2)

Two days later in Albany Tom presented himself at the Mayor's office. ”I've come on a peculiar errand,” he explained. ”One time when I was in the South, a Northern girl, who was living there, befriended me and saved me from being taken prisoner. Her name was Marjorie Landis, and she told me that she had lived here. She said she was coming back to Albany just as soon as the war was over. I want you to help me find her, if it's not asking too much.”

The Mayor smiled. ”You don't happen to be Tom Burns of the raiders, by any chance, do you?” he asked.

Tom jumped. ”Yes-but how....” His voice dwindled off in amazement.

”I've heard a lot about you, young man. Yes, I think that if you'll go to this address”-he wrote on a slip of paper-”and ask for Miss Landis, you'll find someone who'll be very glad to see you. Don't even stop to thank me-you hurry along.”

Tom needed no urging. He sped from the office, signaled a cab and gave the driver the paper. ”Let that horse move his legs,” he ordered.

”Yes, sir.”

They pulled up presently before a big brownstone house.

”Tell Miss Landis that Captain Burns is calling,” he told the servant.

”Yes, Captain. Will you come this way, sir?” He was ushered into a parlor, where he waited nervously; then he heard footsteps on the stairs.

”Tom-Tom Burns!” Marjorie bounded into the room.

”Marjorie!”

They stood looking at each other, speechless. She was the first to collect herself. ”I'm so glad you've come,” she said. ”I've wondered and wondered about you.”

”But you knew I'd come if I could, didn't you?”

”I thought so-I hoped so.”