Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-25

Eyes, m'sieu'. Re OIL man watch him like
a hawk
But, as events proved. my assurance
was unwarranted, and, in spite Of his
watchfulness. Mr.. Hayward could not
avert the tragedy which was about to
take place.
1t was verging on II o'clock Of a sultry
July night, and l was beginning to think
Of bed. when Pierre, painting for breath,
stumbled across the threshold of the hut:
His white face and bullying eyes warned
me that something was wrong.
whats the natter l demanded, anx-
iously.
"Eet's Msieu' Hayward an Deeck.
Zeyve quarrel again-about you an
ma'mselle."
When"
IAN hour ago. Deeck deman' Eat Msieu'
Hayward gif her to him. An when re
OF man refuse. he draw a pistol an try
to shoot him. Re OIL man call, an we all
run in an hoI Deck. Zen re Oh man
ordaire him to leave re islam at once. An
Deck. he go upstairs to get his clo'es."
"Wen?'
I'VE wait an he come not down. We
go up to make search for him. an fin
Eat he has escape by re window, taking
madame wiz him."
Mrs. Hayward I gasped. How long
ago was that?''
Ten minutes. You can see, m'sieu'-
zey are already searching"
! followed him out to the little path In
front of the hut Lights were moving
across the southern ridge Of rocks, along
the seward wall, down in the shadoWy
pasture lands.
1.-THE fools!' 1 snorted. They'll scare
guarded?''
Yes, m'sieu'-by Bailey
''Then they're still on the island. God
grant We shan't be too late"
I turend, and skirting the side Of the
hut, scrambled out on the long eastern
arm Of headland. while Pierre, calling
something to the searchers in the low
lands, ran back toward the house. The
night was black and scowling, with heavy
banks of cloud lying heaped up along the
skies glowed with the quivering play Of
lightning, and now and then the low,
sullen growl Of thunder drifted lazily to
my ears. The breeze had dropped, and
the hot. moist air. clinging to my face.
was spent and lifeless. I was in drip
of perspiration when 1 gained the jutting
point of the promontory and paused to
listen for any sound.
But, except for the threatening grumble
In the distance. nothing broke the silence;
even the murmuring lap of the waters
against the cliffs below was stilled.
peered into the shadowy abyss for an in
slant, then slowly retraced my course, ex-
aiming each rock and crevice as l went.
The lights OF the other searchers. NOV
ing eastward in a long. irregular line
across the island, were abreast of me as
returned to my starting point. 1t was
evidently the old mans intention to drive
the 'fugitives into a corner. I fell in with
his plan, keeping pace with the lanterns.
and following the high, curving wall of
the northern shore.
The way was rough and full of pitfalls.
with unexpected hooks and crannies, each
of which must be explored. Thus it
CHANGED that by the time | reached the
rocky spur which formed the northeast
ern extremity of the island the others
had forged ahead, and, covering their al
lotted ground, We're cOnverging upon me
In dotted circle Of light. I fastened
my steps to catch up with them. And it
path that l ran straight into the arms
Of man. We both started back.
''Dick!" I exclaimed.
He turned without answering, as though
to stink away. but l caught him by the
sleeve.
where is Mrs. Haywardo' demanded
What have you done with hero
II don't know-nothing. How should II"
Didn't you help her to escape?"
''Of course not-I-the old man and
had row
80 I've heard"
''Well, when l went upstairs to get my
things she--she was just climbing out OF
the window, and I followed her. I'm
looking for her myself"
His hesitating voice did not bear out
the truth of his words. II don't believe
you.'' said. frankly.
He shrugged. las you like. Hold on
there's no use going out there
'Why?"
I've been over the ground thoroughly"
That's reason enough for me to co."
grunted, pushing by him and scrambling
out on the rocky spur.
He followed close upon my trail. AS
skirted group Of powders white figure
rose before me and ran silently toward
the brink of the cliff.
"Stop!' cried. starting forward. Mrs.
Hayward! Stop!''
But before I could reach her Dick had
flung himself upon me. sweeping me of
my feet by the swiftness of his attack.
caught a glimpse of the crazy woman
tottering on the edge OF the precipice.
heard her wild laugh ring out on the air.
Then the place where she had stood
seemed suddenly to become vacant. and
was fighting desperately for my own life
on the narrow way.