The Huttig news., 1910-10-15


 moment; then, returning, he ex- changed a few words with the relief and led orme down to the breakwa- ter. The launch which was moored there proved to be a sturdy boat, built for strength rather than for speed.
 Orme cast of while Porter removed the tarpaulin from the motor and made ready to turn the wheel over.
 'Is the policeman still busy with the Jap?" orme questioned sud denly.
 Yes"
 He won't get anything out of him." said Orme-"except fairy- stories"
 Porter started the motor and stepped forward to the steering wheel. Slowly the launch pushed out into the open lake. and the lights of the shore receded.
 No sound had come from the dis abled boat since it's motor stopped Doubtless 1t was too far off for the noise of repairs to be heard on the shore. Orme peered over the dark surface of the water but he could see nothing except the lights of a dis tant steamer.
 T know why he went out so far" remarked Porter. He is running without lights"
 That in itself is suspicious, isn't it?" Orme asked.
 Why. yes. I suppose so--though people aren't always as careful as they might be. Our own lights aren't lighted. you see.'
 Have you any clue at all as to where she is?'
 Only from the direction the sounds came from just before the ex- plosions stopped. She had headway enough to slide some distance after that. and I'm allowing for it-and for the currents. With the lake as it is. she would be carried in a lttle."
 For nearly half an hour they contin- ued straight out toward midlake. Orme noticed that there was a slight swell. The lights of Evanston were now mere twinkling distant points, far away over the dark void of the waters.
 Porter shut off the power We must be pretty near her." he said.
 They listened intently
 Perhaps I steered too far south," said Porter at last
 He threw on the power, and sent the boat northward in slow, wide circles. The distant steamship had made progress toward the northeast bound. perhaps. for Muskegon, or some other port on the Michigan shore. She was a passenger steam CT. apparently. for lines of portholes and deck-windows were marked by dots of light. There was no other sign of hulean presence to be seen on the lake, and Ormes glance ex- pectantly wandered to her lights now and then.
 At last, while he was looking at it, after fruitless search of the dark ness. he was startled by strange phenomenon. The lights of the steamer suddenly disappeared. An Instant later they shone out again.
 With an exclamation, Orme seized the steering-wheel and swung 1t over to the right.
 There she is," he cried, and then: Excuse me for taking the wheel that way. but I was afraid I'd lose her"
 T don't see her." said Porter. z No; but something dark cut of the lights of that steamer Hold her so.' He let go the wheel and peered ahead.
 Presently they both saw a spot of blacker blackness in the night. Por- ter set the motor at half-speed
 Have you got bull's-eye lantern?" asked Orme in an undertone.
 "Yes. in that locker
 Orme stopped and lighted the lan- tern in the shelter of the locker
 Now run up alongside" he said, 'and ask If they Seed help"
 The outline of the disabled boat now grew more distinct Porter swung around toward 1t and called: Need help?"
 After a moments wait, a voice re- plied
 "Yes. You tow me to Chicago. I pay you"
 It was a voice which Orme recog- inzed as that of the Japanese who had been with Maku in the attack at the Pere Marquette.
 Cant do that" answered Porter. ''Tll take you in to Evanston"
 "No!" The tone was expostula- tory. T go to Chicago. I fix engine pretty soon."
 At this moment Orme raised his lantern and directed it's light into the other boat. It shone into the blinking eyes of the Japanese. standing by the motor. It shone-
 Great Heaven! Was he dreaming? Orme could not believe his eyes. The light revealed the face of the one person he least expected to see-for, seated on cushion at the forward end of the cockpit. was the girl!
 (ToBE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)