The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-07-02
CHAPTER xxv,i.-continued.

CHAPTER Xxvlt.-Continued.
Peggy Chatterton, standing at the
wings. turned to see Miss Strangways
rs the drop scene descended.
who are you?" she cried. what
do you want?"
Il want to see Mr.. Craig at once
was the GREATNESS answer; and a
Jealous CLEAN came suddenly into Peg.
gy's eyes. Urgently, can't tell you
how urgently!
Miss Strangways rushed past the
girl to where Lathom was assisting
the stage carpenter to move the set
pieces; Mr.. Chatterton expected the
members of the company to make
themselves generally useful. Lathom
ways.
1--WE come to warn you," she whis-
pered. excitedly, drawing him aside;
that is. tiff your name is Lathom
/ am your friend; please understand
that: and want to help you. A de-
tectfve and Mr.. Bonholt Hume have
been watching the performance, and
at any time"
Eyes, he said, in low voice. I'm
Lathom. It's good of you to trouble
about me; l don't know how to thank
YOU"
"YOu must lost no time. And don't
leave by that door-that way you
might run into the detectives arms!
A frjoni IF r,;po In prou,or ic xyoit
ing outside the door on the other side
to help yoI-you can trust him."
With the girls breathless words a
fighting CLEAN had come into the hunt
ed mans eyes. He turned and crossed
rapidly to where Peggy Chatterton
stood watching the pair of them: he
whispered something to her that
brought startled look to her face,
then with Miss Strangways he hurried
across the stage. Almost before the
two figures had crossed out of sight
the stage door opened and the detect
i've appeared. with no suspicion in the
world that he had been forestalled by
about two minutes, and inquired for
Mr.. Craig.
He did not find Mr.. Craig. Peggy
Chatterton's instructions seemed to be
curiOusly misleading. and after he had
found the mems dressing room, to
discover that Craig was not there and
was on the stage again. stolid car
penter. into whose ear Peggy had
whispered six hurried words, was
clumsy enough nearly to knock the
newcomer down with a heavy "flat"
he was moving into position; and as
the detective was lodging imminent
destruction in one quarter, a stage
hand carrying some heavy props
Numbered into him, and dropped some
thing weighty on his foot with great
appearance of concern.
BY this time the detective was be-
ginning to understand the position of
affairs: Lathom had evidently got
wind of danger, and his friends were
covering his flight. He mathematical
his own vanity, that had prompted
him to come to effect the arrest single
handed; but it was too late to ask
himself now why he had not brought
local constable to watch the other
entrance. 1t was evident that his bird
had flown.
Outside in the gathering dusk hur-
ried colloquy had taken pace between
Lathom and the doctor. Miss Strang-
ways. to avoid any suspicion. had re-
turned to her seat in the theater in a
fever of apprehensiveness, wondering
If her efforts and the doctors would
succeed.
Lathom was still in his makeup;
still wearing the pink hunting coat
with the brass buttons. There had
been no time to change.
"Put my overcoat on" said the doc
tor. hurriedly. as they stood out of
sight of the group of loafers hanging
about at the lighted entrance to the
theater; "that thing you're wearing's
conspicuous half a mile off. Make
your way as quickly as you can to Mr..
Strangways' house. I'll meet you in
the lane by the side of the house
you know the gate there in the wall ?
I'll be there as soon as you, only we
mustn't be seen together"
AS the doctor gave these rapid in
structions figure dashed up through
the dusk and peered into Lathom' S
face. as he was struggling into the
loose overcoat. It was the spidery.
legged racing tout who had left the
note for Miss Strangways that after.
uoOn.
mo. you don't. Mr.. Jack Lathom,' -
he cried. shrilly. with a malevolent
grin. There's a tee looking for you
and ="
Without word Lathom made q
sudden dart forward; he was in a
dangerous mood, and this man meant
to- hinder his escape On the alert
az he was, the little tout's speed die
not save him this time; out shot
the others fist, and down he went
with a cry of pain. Lathom did not
pause; he bolted across the field
towards lane at the back of the
theater to avoid passing the knot o.
bystanders near the lighted entrance
a. the front. The doctor stood wait
ing for the evil-faced little tout t.
rice: hut the man Law grOaninp anf