Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-25

world.
Her mare followed on in the tracks of the
muscular figure, over whom, for moment, she
had almost wished to yearn. His escape from
death had been so slender-and he would not
even rest
The fiat was in reality. the hogs back or
ridge of lofty spur of the mountains Except
for the vast blush canon and gorges far below.
the view somewhat restricted here, since
towering submits, in a conclave of peaks, rose
to right and left.
A FTER a time, as they swung round on the
trend of the ridge, they came abreast
mighty gap in the mountains to the left, and
there far down, lay valley as fattened by
perspective as the unruffled surface of a lake.
Here Van presently halted peering down and
searching the vast gray floor with the keenest
attention. He went on farther and halted
again, Beth meanwhile watching his face with
increasing curiosity. At the third of his stops
she gazed no more on the panorama of immen-
sity, but rather gazed at him.
What is it you expect to seer" she inquired
I'm rather expecting, if | haven't mlscalcu-
lated on the time There he is now!" he an
swered still staring afar off down on the val
ley. He raised his arm and extended finger
to point toward the north.nost limit of the level
stretch of land. do you see that small dark
yellow streak that you can follow"
Beth obeyed directions, and thereby dis
cerned with remarkable clearness the moving
object far away below She did not in the
it," she asked with languid interest havin, ex-
pected something more significant. Is it some
small animal?"
yes" responded Van, it's Searle"
Beth was instantly all attention. Not Mr..
Bostwick. in his carr"
study the gray Of the worldwide map. II
rather wonder he unused, and there he
halted, presently adding, Hes climbing a hill.
You might not think So looking down from
here, but it's steep and sandy for car"
She was watching eagerly. "And he's no
farther along toward Goldite than this?"
He's had some tough old going" answered
Van. Hes in luck to-" then to himself, as he
continued to scan the scene for something he
did not apparently find, by Jupe!. I'd have
adding in spirit of fairness, 'Searle is getting
right up to the ridge, all right. Good boy! He
must have a powerful motor under the
There! By George l knew it! knew it!
Got him, right there in the gravel"
The girl looked suddenly at him, wholly un-
able to comprehend the sharp EXPLANATIONS he
was making. What has got hims What do
you mean," she demanded in vague alarm. Il
don't see what you-"
That's Matt every time. thought SO, :" he
interrupted, as he stepped little closer to the
girl Don't you see them. those lively little
specks. swarming all around the machine?"
Beth bent her gaze on the drama far Glow.
play in which she knew but one of the charac-
tiers and nothing of the meaning of the scene.
:" l see-yes-something like lot of tiny ants
or something. What are they. not robbers.
not mem"
Part men, part wolves and hyenas,' he told
her quietly. "It's lot of State convicts, es-
capped from their prison, and two days free
and desperate"
She was suddenly very pale Her eyes were
blazing. "Convicts! Out of prison?"
"A good long way out. he told her. watch
ing off affair." and clever enough to hike for the
mines. with the camps all full of strangers.
They learn to be good mixers, when they're
trying to escape"
Beth gazed at him searchingly. you
knew they were out-and waiting on the road?"
Everyone knew they were out-and GER
tainly thought big Matt would do precisely
what you see he has DONE"
Matt" she echoed
1.-The leader" he explained :" a clever brute
as ever worried Sheriff"
She was not in the least interested in the per-
sonality of the convict thus described Her
mind had flown to another aspect Of the case,
the case involving herself. "And this was why
you wouldn't let us continue to Goldite in the
auto?" she said. You expected this?"
He looked at her quickly "Searle wouldn't
take my advice, you know" His eyes were
once more merry with devils What could l
do?"
But Mr. Bostwick wouldn't have gone if
you had told him. she said. ooh, I'm sur
prised you'd do it-youd let him go and be