The Washington times., 1909-03-27
CHAPTER XIII.
TO THE hESCUE.


her despair and terror gave her
such strength that the ruffians
experienced great difficulty in
dragging her toward the big red auto
mobile. although the two who first
seized her had been REINFORCED by the
man who had felled Arthur Darlington
The tall dark-bearded man in the car
offered them no assistance. He sat
there silent and motionless, watching
the unequal struggle with an eager look
upon his lean face
THE dirty cowards!" growled Wilbur
They're trying to kidnap her. Thank
God, I've got my gun with me. Come
on, Stever'
He drew his revolver, and, yelling
like a couple of COmanches. the two
young men rushed TO the rescue.
At the same moment, attracted by the
girls loud screams, a burly man ap-
peared at the door of tne ramshackle
house which Miss Hamilton called home.
In his right hand he carried shotgun.
This man took in the situation at a
glance. and with shout of rage, which
sounded like the below Of a wounded
bull he rushed toward the girls as
sailants.
1t looked as if a bloody battle was
about to ensue: but suddenly the tall,
bearded man in the red motor shouted
something in a foreign language.
At his words the three desperadoes
Immediately reHnquished JneIr hold OF
the half-fainting girl, and with amaz-
ing aIacrity clambered aboard the tour
ing car.
Before Wilbur or Steve OF the man
with the shotgun could make move
70 intercept them the bearded man had
LET out the speed clutch to its full limit
and with loud chug-chug-chug and a
cloud of dust the big car dashed up the
road at speed OF more than mile
a minute.
In vain Wilbur fired at the fugitives
three times with mis- revolver, and the
man with the shotgun brought the
weapon into position and. taking care
ful aim, pulled the trigger.
None of the shots landed. The motor
was out of range before either OF the
men could fire again. Wilbur and
Steve stood looking dazedly at the man
with the shotgun and the latter stood
looking vacantly at them.
FOR uyickness in making a get
away these villains certainly beat the
band the man with the shotgun re-
marked. Il never in my life saw any
thing like it Wen. they're out Of
sight now and it's no use trying TO get
them. Let's look TO the girl and this
poor young man here
Laura Hamilton had fallen fainting
70 the ground, and Arthur harrington
still lay there unconscious.
The man with the shotgun stopped
and tenderlv picked up the girl, who.
opening her eyes, threw her arms
around his neck and cried hysterical-
", "Oh, father, father! L am so glad
you came IN time. p"
$50 this is Mr.. Hamilton" unused
Steve Clay ton, studying the mans face
intently lie looks Ike an honest,
rugged worlSingman- I wonder II he
can throw any light on this web of
mystery which surrounds his daugh-
ter. I'll have to question him later" a"
In the meantime Wilbur Leslie was
kneeling on the ground beside the
PROSTATE body Of Arthur harrington,
anxiOusly endeavoring TO ascertain
whether Eis employer was alive OF
dead.
He seems to be breathing and his
heart is surely beating" he remarked
TO Clayton. I'VE ought to get a doc
his condition is pretty serious"
But just then, as though TO refute
this diagnosis. Darlington opened his
eyes. assumed q sitting posture and
stared about him vacantly.
What has happened?' he gasped
feebly. ~"Oh. yes. I remember now.
This IS some Of my brother Frank s
dirty work.
At these words Wilbur and Steve ex-
changed significant glances- Each de-
sired to call the others attention 10
the Importance Of that remark.
Suddenly Arthur Barrington's wonder
ing gaze fell upon Wilbur Leslie's face
and al sight Of him he scowled and
jumped Unsteadly 10 his feet without
assistance
What are you doing here2" he de-
manded fiercely. You must have fol-
lowed us-you Internal spy.
"Or perhaps this IS your work" Inc
added. seized with a sudden thought
which he deemed an inspiratioE y
guess that accounts for your presence
here. II was you that sneaked up be
hind and dealt me that cowardly blow
Tn pay you back for it. ] promise you
before I get through. you would be
murderer
HusH' MI harrington cried thf
girl. who had once more recovered hen
cOmpCsure and had caught her en-
pIoyers frenZied words. you arc
making a great mistake. Mr. Les 'e is
not responsible for this cowardiy as
Sault i was he and his friend who
came 10 M rescue when those wretches
were trying TO carry me Off. You are
doing him great injustice. / assure
you. when you talk that way.
We'll ne must have had something
10 do with This attack declared Ar
thur Darlington, UncOnvinced. other
wise how does he happen 10 be here
now?