Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-10-07
By Louis Joseph Vance

ere the CAB was out into the
Strand, to the peril Of the toes be-
longing to a number Of %righteously in
dignant pedestrians.
He turned in the seat, twisting his
neck to peep through the small rear
window. II don't see their cab," be
announced. But of course they're
after us. However, Craven streets
just round the corner. If we get there
first 1 don't fancy Freddie Hallam will
have a cordial reception for our pur-
suers. They must have been on watch
at Cannon street, and, finding we We're
not coming in that way-of curse they
were expecting US because of Hobbs
Lucky for us-or is it lucky?" he add
ed doubtfully to himself.
The hanson whipped round the cor
ner into Craven street. Kirkwood
sprang up, grasping the treasure bag,
ready to jump the instant they pulled
in toward Mrs. Hallam's dwelling. But
as they drew near upon the address he
drew back with an exclamation of
AmaZement.
The house was closed, showing a
blank face to the street-blinds drawn
close down in the windows, area gate
padlocked, an estate agents board pro
jecting from above the doorway adj
vertising the property ito be let. fur
niShed."
kirkwood looked back. c%raning his
neck round the side of the cab. At the
moment another hanson was break
ing through the rank of humanity on
the Strand crossing. He saw one or
two figures leap desperately from be
meath the horses loofs. Then the cab
SHOT out swiftly down the street.
The American stood up again, catch
ing the cabby's eye,
Drive on." he cried excitedly.
Don't stop! Drive as fast as YOU
dare!w
"W'ere to, sir:"
!. "See that cab behind? Don't let it
catch us. Shake it off. lose it some.
| how. but for the love of heaven don't
let it catch us! I'll make it worth your
i while. Do you underestimate"
Eyes. sir" The driver looked brief
ly over his shoulder and lifted his
r whip. Don't worry. SIR" he cried
y entering into the spirit of the game
with gratifying zest. "Shan't let ZEN
over'aul you, sir. Mind your 'ead!!"
E And as Kirkwood ducked the whip
lash shot out over the roof with a
crack like the report Of a pistol
Startled, the horse leaped Indignantly
forward. Momentarily the cab seemed
, to leave the ground, then settled down
to a pace that carried them round the
!, Avenue theater and across Northum.
5erland avenue into Whitehall place
apparently on a single wheel.
Good little horse!!" he applauded.
A moment later he was indorsing
: without reserve the generalship OF
| their cabby. The quick westward
turn that took them into Whitehall
over across from the Horse Guards
likewise placed them in a pocket OF
= traffic. A practically impregnable
press of vehicles closed In behind then
ere Calendars conveyance could fol
low out Of the side street.
That the same conditions, but slight
: ly modified, hemmed them in ahead
, went for nothing in Kirkwood's est
nation.
: "Good driver!!" he approved heartily
"He's got a head on his shouldersv.'
r The girl found her voice. How
f she demanded in a breath, face blank
| with consternation-"how did YOU
dare?"
"Dare" he echoed exultantly, and
like liquid fire. "What wouldn't ]
t dare for you, D%orothy?"
"NNhat have you not?" she amended
softly, adding, With Il shade of timidity
"Philip''-
The long lashes swept up from hel
cheeks, like clouds revealing stars, I'm.
. masking eyes radiant and brave te
!, meet his own Then they fell, ever
> as her lips dropped with disappoint
| ment. And she sighed, for he was
not looking. Manlike, hot with the
ardor of the chase, he was deaf and
blind to all else.
give got a scheme!" Kirkwood de
clared so explosively that she caught
her breath with the surprise Of it
"There's the Pless. They know me
3 there, and my credits good. When
: we shake them off we can have the
cabby take us to the hotel. I'll regis
ter and borrow from the management
: enough to pay our way to Chiltern
, and the tolls for a cable to New York
I've a friend or two over home who
wouldn't let me want for a few miser
r able pounds. So you see." he ex
planned boyishly, "we're at the end OF
: our troubles already"
She said something inaudible, hold
ing her face averted. He bent nearer
to her. wondering. 81 didn't under
| stand" he suggested.
Still looking from him, II said you
were very good to me-" she said in q
quavering whisper.
Dorothy" Without his knowledge
or intention before the fact, as in
stinctively as he made use Of her giver
name intimately, his strong fingers
H