Twice-a-week plain dealer., 1909-10-26


Brentwicll on the shoulder. The latter
turned to him face lined with deep
concern.
Trouble" he announced superflu-
ously. Il fear we have blundered."
What is it?" asked Dorothy in
troubled voice.
Petrol seems to be running low.
Charles here"-he referred to the
mechanician-'says the tank must be
leaking. Well go on as best we can
and try to find an inn. Fortunately
most of the inns nowadays keep sup
plies of petrol for just such e.uer-
gencies.'
Are we-do YOU think
"Oh, no; not bit of danger of that"
returned Brentwick hastily. They'll
not catch up with us this night. That
is a very inferior car they have-so
Charles says, at least-nothing to
compare with this. If Pm not in er-
ahead Well make it. fill our tanks
and be off again before they can make
up half their loss"
Dorothy looked anXiously to Kirk
wood, her lips forming an unuttered
query-what did he think:
Don't worry. Well have no trou-
ble," he reassured her stoutly. "The
chauffeur knows undoubtedly"
None the less he was moved to stand
up in the tonneau conscious of the
presence of the travelling bag, snug be-
tween his feet, as well as Of the
weight of Calendars revolver in his
pocket. while he stared back along the
road.
There was nothing to be seen of
their prosecutors.
The ear continued to crawl. Five
minutes dragged tediously. Gradually
they drew abreast tavern standing
back n distance from the road. Slug
gishly the car rolled up before 1t and
came to Il dead and silent halt.
Charles, the mechanician, jumping out,
ran hastily up the path toward the inn.
In the car Brentwick turned again, his
eyes curiously bright in the starlight,
his forehead quantity furrowed, his
voice apologetic.
1T may take a few minutes" he said
undecidedly. plainly endeavoring to
cover up his own dark doubts. "My
dear" to the girl. "if l have brought
trouble upon you in this wise l shall
never earn my own forgiveness"
"As if you could be blamed!" protest.
ed the girl. You mustn't think of it
that way. Fancy. what should we
have done without you"
"Tm afraid have been very clum
sy," sighed Brentwick, clumsy and
impulsive. KirEwood, do you heal
anything?'
Not yet, sir
perhaps" suggested Brentwick {
/ little later-''perhaps we had better
nlight and go up TO the inn. 1t would
be more cozy there. especially if tho
! petrol proves hard to obtain and we
/ have long to watt
81 should like that" assented thu
! girl decidedly.
kirlwood nodded his approval
opened the door and jumped out t
I uSSlSl lcl. lllcu IlNhCu up tiC ptt
4 and followed the pair, Brentwick lead
ing the way with Dorothy on his arm
At the doorway of the Crown ant
Miter Charles met them. evidently sc
riously disturbed. NO petrol to b
had here, sir" he announced reluctant
ly. "but the landlord will send to th
next inn. mile up the road, for some
You will have to be patient. I'm afraid
sir
Very well. Get some one to hel
YOU push the car in from the road,
ordered Brentwick I'VE will be wal
ing in one of the private parlors."
''Ycs. sir Thank you, sir" Th
mechanicinn touched the visor Of hi
cap and hurried off.
Come, Nirkwood." Gently Bren
wick drew the girl in with him.
A rosy checked and beaming lant
lady met him in the corridor and, a
bows and smiles. ushered him into
private parlor reserved for the part.
Immediately bustling off in despe
ate furry to secure refreshments d.
sired by Brentwick.
The girl had seated herself on or
end of an extremely comfortles
lounge and was making palpab
effort to seem at ease. Brentwic
stood at one of the windows. shou
ders rounded and head bent, hant
clasped behind his back as he peere
out into the night Kirkwood droppe
the travelling bag beneath chair tt
farthest removed from the doorwa
and took to pacing the floor.
In a corner of the room tall gram
fathers clock licked off ten intermin
BILE minutes. For some reason unco
scionably delaying. the landlady d
not reappear. Brentwick. abrupt
turning from the window. remarkt
the fact querulously. then drew a cha
up to marble topped table in Il
middle of the floor
MY DEAR" he requested the gil
"will you oblige me by sitting ov
here? And. Philip. bring up cha
If you will. We must not permit ou
selves to worry. and have somethil
here which may perhaps engage yo
interest for awhile"
To humor him and alleviate his e'
dent distress of mind they accede
Kirkwood found himself seated OPP
site Dorothy. Suddenly Charles bul
unceremoniously in. leaving the do
| wide open.
! MIR Brentwick. SIR" he cried 81
| tlly. that other cdr"-
! With smothered ejaculation Xii
1 wood leaped to his feet, tugging at t
| weapon in his pocket. In another
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