SHE HAD TO DECIDE QUICKLY WHICH MAN TO TRUST- AND SHE CHOSE THE WRONG ONE !sx THE NIGHT SHE CAUGHT THE LAST TRAIN HOME .sx SHEILA FARRELL , waiting for the last train home , wasn't happy about the way the Teddy boy kept eyeing her .sx After the past hectic hours at her girl friend's twenty-first birthday party , she felt as flat as a deflated balloon .sx She wished that the train would hurry up .sx The Teddy boy glanced at the station clock .sx " Train's late , " he said .sx Sheila was about to answer automatically when she realised what she was doing .sx She turned her head away uneasily .sx The stranger wasn't put off .sx He tried again , sliding along the seat towards her .sx " Going far ?sx I'm for Pulfern Green , myself .sx " He hesitated , then plunged on .sx " Don't I know you ?sx I'm sure I've seen you before .sx Do you get this train often ?sx " What a corny line , Sheila thought , her heart thumping .sx A quick glance round told her that they might as well have been the only two people in the world .sx There wasn't another soul to be seen , not even a porter .sx Would the Teddy boy follow her when she got on the train ?sx Sheila gave him a cold stare , rose to her feet and moved along the deserted platform , feeling lonely and afraid .sx Oh , how she wished she could have stayed the night at her friend's !sx If it hadn't been her dad's week for night shift , her mum wouldn't have minded .sx As it was , Mum couldn't stand being alone in the house at night , and Sheila had promised that she'd catch the last train .sx The approaching train made her jump nervously , although it was a relief to hear it .sx It drew noisily to a halt .sx Sheila entered an empty carriage and moved down the aisle towards its far end .sx She settled herself in a dark corner , every nerve strained , listening intently .sx It wasn't until the train pulled out and she felt certain that nobody had entered the carriage , that she relaxed .sx She yawned , slipped off her shoes and , stretching out her legs , lay full-length along the seat .sx BY the time the train had pulled into the next station , Sheila was in a half doze .sx She was shocked awake , nerves leaping , at the sound of a carriage door being opened nearby .sx She lay still , waiting , her hands gripping her handbag .sx She could see the emergency chain just above her head and hoped that she wouldn't have to use it .sx When she heard several men's voices she felt relieved , and relaxed again .sx A gruff voice rose from the next compartment .sx " No , there ain't nobody in this carriage .sx I looked as it pulled up .sx You don't get a lot of people travellin' at this time o' night .sx That's why I thought it 'ud be safer .sx " We've got to get to the Green tonight or else .sx . Them rozzers is gettin' too hot for comfort .sx We'll have to lay low , or it's curtains for us , mate !sx " Sheila shivered .sx Had she jumped out of the frying pan into the fire ?sx A different voice , younger and nervous , began :sx " What if the ticket bloke remembers us ?sx 'Ow do you know 'e ain't ringing the rozzers right now ?sx We'll likely be met by .sx . " " Oh , stop your whinin' !sx " interrupted the gruff voice .sx " We'll be met all right .sx Fred's meeting us with 'is car .sx There won't be any trouble unless you lose yer 'ead .sx . " The voice dropped menacingly .sx Sheila's hazel eyes widened .sx She drew back into the corner , trying to make herself as small as possible .sx She listened to every movement that the men made , all her nerves alert .sx The slightest sign that they were coming her way and she would have to pretend to be asleep .sx As the train drew into another station , she realised , with thankfulness , that the next one was hers .sx She listened unwillingly , as Gruff Voice continued the conversation .sx " See what I mean ?sx Nobody there , either .sx The train's deserted at this time of night .sx " Len and Busk got away .sx They're making for the north .sx If they get picked up , they won't grass .sx They know better than that .sx " " What about Fred ?sx D'ye think he's safe ?sx " " Fred ?sx " scoffed the gruff voice .sx " As safe as houses .sx If we make it worth his while , we can stop there for a week or so , then move on down to the coast .sx " Those blokes at the bank don't know what hit 'em .sx They'll never be able to recognise us .sx What are ye gonna do with your lolly ?sx " " Buy a car .sx Get some fun before it runs out .sx I like blondes best .sx Saw a smasher the other day .sx She wouldn't look at the likes of me , though , unless I'd plenty of lolly to spend on her .sx " " You and your blondes !sx " A coarse laugh drowned the other's reply , and sent shivers down Sheila's back .sx Surely they were nearly at her station by now ?sx How was she going to get out so that the men wouldn't realise she'd heard them ?sx She knew just how dangerous her position was .sx That gruff voice had no mercy in it .sx WITH mixed feelings of relief , Sheila saw the lights of her station come into view .sx Very gently she slid out of her seat and round to the carriage door .sx She eased back the catch and held it steady as the train pulled up .sx She got out , and was beginning to close the door when she saw that the next one was opening , and a man's startled face was gazing at her .sx In mounting panic , Sheila turned and fled down the deserted platform .sx Thudding feet started after her .sx She raced for the exit , her mind searching desperately for a way of escape .sx She'd got to get to the police , somehow .sx There was no sign of a porter .sx Instead , a well-dressed , dependable-looking man stood near the exit .sx Sheila made up her mind quickly .sx " Please , please help me !sx " she said urgently .sx " I've just overheard two crooks on the train , and I must get to the police .sx I'm sure they know I've overheard them , and they're coming after me .sx " The stranger looked at Sheila oddly for a moment , hesitated as though making up his mind , then propelled her out of the exit towards a waiting car .sx As he did , the two men burst out into the quiet street and pounded up to them .sx The stranger stood quietly , waiting for them .sx Then it dawned on Sheila who he was .sx " Fred !sx " she gasped in horror .sx As Sheila tried to dodge past them , her heel caught in the pavement and she stumbled forward .sx She managed one cry for help before a hand closed over her mouth .sx A voice snarled in her ear , " Keep still , or else .sx . " Sheila was bundled into the car .sx There she sat , squashed between the two men , heart pounding wildly with fear .sx The younger man looked her over admiringly .sx Sheila shivered .sx " OK , Fred , " said the burly man .sx " Take it away .sx " Sheila stared at the silent man's back .sx She'd picked the wrong man .sx But how could you tell which man to trust and which to avoid ?sx She'd gone for the nice face and clothes and she'd been hopelessly wrong .sx First the Teddy boy .sx . the Teddy boy !sx He'd had a nice voice behind all that talk-gimmick .sx But she hadn't given him a chance after the first sight of his clothes .sx Suddenly , there came a gleam of hope .sx He'd said that he was going to Pulfern Green , her station .sx Had he got off here ?sx Could he have seen anything ?sx Would he act on it if he had ?sx Sheila looked back as the car turned out of the street , but saw no one .sx Nobody spoke .sx At last , Sheila could stand it no longer .sx " Where are you taking me ?sx " she burst out .sx " What are you going to do with me ?sx Please let me go .sx I won't say a word , I promise you .sx My mother's waiting for me , and she's alone and she'll be so upset .sx Please let me go !sx " " Well now , ain't that a pity ?sx Her mummy's waiting up for her .sx " Gruff Voice grinned nastily , then his voice altered cruelly .sx " You got yourself into this- nobody asked you to listen to our talk .sx You've heard enough to get us put away , so you've got to be put in a safe place .sx See ?sx " With the last word , he took her wrist and gave it a quick twist , making her gasp .sx " That's just a little taste of what you'll get if you try anything on , see ?sx " Sheila nodded , eyes blinking back the threatening tears , as she nursed her sore wrist .sx THE car drew up beside a large , detached house .sx Sheila was bundled out , propelled along a passage , and pushed into a room .sx " Yer stay there till we decide what to do with you !sx " Gruff Voice growled .sx " And make no mistakes- if I hears a peep out of you , you're for it !sx " Then the key was turned in the lock and Sheila was alone .sx She gave way to tears of hopelessness .sx As the tears relieved her immediate tension , Sheila realised everything had gone quiet in the house .sx She supposed that they were having a meal- they certainly weren't bothering about her .sx As she sat there , she was suddenly aware of a tapping at the window .sx She went over .sx " Who is it ?sx " she said nervously .sx " Who- who's there ?sx " She could only just make out the whispered reply , but it filled her with unbelievable hope .sx The voice said :sx " Have you been kidnapped ?sx " At her answer the unknown voice went on :sx " I was the chap who spoke to you at the main-line station , but you wouldn't have anything to do with me , remember ?sx I saw you being pushed into that car .sx You didn't look as if you went willingly , so I followed on my motor bike .sx Thought I'd better find out for sure whether you needed help , before I went for the police .sx " I came round the back of the house wondering which room you were in , when I- I heard you cry .sx " I'm going for the cops now , " the voice went on .sx " You won't be there much longer , if I can help it .sx Keep your chin up !sx Be seeing you .sx " Sheila found herself shaking , without really knowing why .sx Rather than lose all control , she turned her thoughts to the young man who was proving such a friend in need .sx What a nice person he must be to help her after the way she had treated him at the station !sx THEN at last Sheila heard the sound of a car outside .sx The sudden shrilling of the doorbell made her jump .sx Presently , she heard the footsteps of the men as they clattered downstairs .sx They held a whispered conversation outside her door , then the key turned in the lock and Gruff Voice and his accomplice entered .sx The younger man was plainly scared , and the older man was cursing under his breath .sx Sheila backed away from them and managed one scream before a scarf was thrust round her mouth .sx They heard the front door being opened and Fred's voice asked , " Yes ?sx What is it ?sx You've got me out of bed !sx " Sheila's pulses leaped as she recognised the Teddy boy's voice .sx " Excuse me , but does Mr. Smith live here ?sx " What on earth was he playing at ?sx Did he think he could rescue her alone ?sx Fred's innocently outraged voice began , " No , he doesn't !sx What's the big idea .sx . " Then came a sudden crash as the front door was thrust violently open , and several deeper voices sounded .sx The gripping hands around Sheila tightened until she could barely breathe .sx As the door gave way before a brawny shoulder , she was thrown into a struggling mass of bodies .sx A fist aimed at somebody else caught her a glancing blow on the side of the head , and she fell backwards .sx Another pair of hands caught hold of her and began pulling her away from the fighting men .sx She struggled weakly until a remembered voice spoke urgently to her .sx " Don't struggle !sx It's all right , now .sx I've brought the police and it will soon be over .sx "