The San Francisco call., 1906-09-30

place on the back seat fhe chief.
WITHOUT a word. leaped from the car.
ard before she could speak to him was
fisf on his back under the motor. For
mani relnetes nothing was heard but
the click Of a small liammer and the
grating sound of monisey wrench.
The 5old man. had evidently learned
his lesson we'll for he Went about his
work with the precision and skill OF
q trained mechanic. Several times she
essayed to draw him Into conversa-
tion, but he evadea it with singular
deftness. II would never do TO disclose
shis Identity at this critical stage of
the adventure. Presently she Got out
OF the car and seated herself on a
nossy bank BY the roadside. Barnes
Kept his face averted ana hammered
away at the bulky machine with geeat
rcsaluteness.
Finally he fiaishad his task and the
ear besan to vibratc With life and
power, The moon which had been
5 hidden behind a cloud. now emerged
with greater brightness than ever and.
as the chief ercpt out he found him-
self standing in its rays. The woman.
who had been watching Inn fntcntfy
slowly advanced and, throwing out he
right hand, Grasped his gng sies AMI
tore them from his face. Then she
screamed and ran back several PAGES.
Further deception was Impossible. The
chief made the hest Of bad job ana
bowed With sveat respect.
Madame. I'm Chief B4rnes of the
customs, at your service.
Her cheeks paied. but only for z mo-
ment. the next instant the jet black
eyes flashed, The color returned TO her
face and her coil OF hair swung around
with q vicious shake of hci iead
= don't are what you call yoilrseif
you--Toti--gouto a coward-a dfsrep-
utable coward,
The old man l0o'led very gT1Vr
- make Is rule never TO dispute
with lady. but | must protest ag aln$t
Your words. ain not 1 coward and
am not disreputaple. Moreever--4-'
We'll. she interrupted. excitedjy
wi st do y91 iaean ay trsvelifs under
fa'T ~ 7tans.sg Wat do you mean
b. Geceiving me? Nlis. s.-''
49, eps g. tdan u interrupt
nov. f.ie loo, VI yaassity lett his face
and g emile lulata aoout tho corners OF
his iaee.
IF 1t cpinss @ tl.r.s t,e sa'i softly.
might ssS wat seaor.t. piez
mealia pN Dis istite aea &c Under tee
name OF Nile. Felicia nigii Inquire
what business ~ clt, lt,TpiisifE dtess-
maker has II travelling ~ NJ ss'it In q
( motor car BIZ wont 4 ssg ass Tau
with Questions, ISi,psi ntn the
car and vc win issun 90 discussion
later on.
II Won't. she cred. hysseriealiy.
y die before ! -. IN that car again..
NOW, now said Barnes. soothingiy,
theres no need Tor such extreme talk.
Just como along and we'll settle this
thing quietly
You'll suffer Tor :;lis ouirage.' she
exclaimed tearfully.
While they talked the sound Of an
automobile horn was heard in the dis
lance. It came nearer and nearer. The
sfght OF the two gesticulating and talk
ing loudly attracted the attention Of
the owner. He stopped his machine.
What's the trouble?" he asked. with
Spanish accent.
This wretch cried the girl, pointing
TO Barnes, has tried to abduct me-
The man. who was Of sta1wart build,
turned TO the chief inquiringly.
Inc old man put on his smoothest
The ladyis excited he said suayelyt
and does not realize what she is say
ing. | am merely taking her home.
don't want to go with him., she
interrupted. Il won't go with him.
The stranger looked at Barnes
s'You-you don't look like her hus-
band, he said doubIfully
Ine chief laughed with relish.
NO, no, I'm not, thank goodness.
And you're not her father?
No., trifie piqued at this reference
to his age.
Then said the motorist. his voice
rising what authority have you for
OBTAINING the lady by force?'
The chief moved aside and throwing
open his coat pointed to q gold badge
fastened to his vest