The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-09-05
CHAPTER XII.
The Ride in the Dark

The Ride in the Dark.
Not since my early boyhood has the
terrible fear Of darkness come over
me as it did that night at eight as the
three of US set out from Ardway. The
mystery of the journey, too, added to
its terrors. | had not seen Davis after
his startling announcement of his
nocturnal mission until he came into
the hotel dining-room for supper. All
through the meal he had laughed and
chatted on all sorts of immaterial sub
jects, Influenced undoubtedly by the
fact that there were several others
seated at the table with us. There
had been no opportunity for private
conversation between US before we
left the hotel together a little before
eight for side street where Dodds,
the constable, was waiting for US with
a vehicle.
We had fingered at the table until
all the others had left. Just as we
got up, Davis turned to me and in a
hardly perceptible tone asked:
Have you got that revolver l gave
you?'
Its upstairs" l answered, in the
same understone. DO you want it?'
NO" he said Significantly, touching
his hip pocket, but you may"
] fastened upstairs to get the
weapon and when l returned he was
waiting for me at the door and hurried
me around the corner and into the
blackboard. With Dodds crowded in
between US We drove along the street
leading away from the station and
soon struck what is locally known as
the Plank Road, skirting a chain of
hills which the residents dignity by
the name of mountains. So precipit-
Gus and rocky are these that little ef-
fort had been made to cultivate them
and the habitations are few and far
between. There seemed to be prac-
tically no travel at night. We encoun-
tered only one vehicle Of any sort,
and that was about two miles out from
Ardway, when We heard an automobile
in the distance behind US.
Turn out" whispered Davis to
Dodds, and stop until it has passed
u.s."
The constable drew in under the
shade of some trees. 1t was pitch
dark, the only light coming from an
ancient lantern hung over the dash
board. As the automobile came near
er Davis unlocked the lantern and
holding it down between his legs
shielded 1t with the folds of d long
raincoat he was wearing The auto
mobile dashed by us, apparently un-
aware of our presence.
All right" said Davis, as soon as
it had vanished in the distance. go
on"
Dodds drove on in silence for per-
haps two miles farther. We passed a
little stone cottage nesting in a clear
ing under the hill.
IT'S just beyond here" said Davis,
a note OF inquiry in his voice.
yep" said the constable, "NIiller's
Lane, they call it,"
Though in my city eyes there was
no sign of a road, Dodds, about three
hundred yards beyond the cottage,
pulled the horse sharply to the right
and We began ascending a rocky lane
that led almost straight up the hill.
Wait a minute" said Davis, and
the constable checked the horse.
Jumping out quickly the inspector
seized the lantern and dropping back
few PAGES began making what ap-
peared to be minute examination of
the road.
"Taint much Of road" the con-
stable whispered TO me while we wait
ed. TITS only used for logging, though
when we come up here this afternoon
there was automobile tracks both 60
ing and coming"
ANY idea who made themT I
asked.
Nope, but I guess he knowa," with
gesture in the direction Of the Ian.
tern light.
Just then Davis rejoinsd us, hang
ing the lantern over the dashboa I'd
again. Instead of resumins his seat,
he knslt on the fcor of the blackboard,
peering down at the road as it was
dimly revealed by the lantern
go ahead slowly" he ordered.
As Dodds elucked to the horse I
leaned down beside Davis and asked:
What die you find?"
Just what i expected, The auto
mobile is somewhere ahead of u.s."
Whose is it?"
Il don't know yet"
My curiosity would be denied no
longer, Hitherto | had kept silent,