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