The Washington times., 1913-04-21


COLA, where the rain was not spiashins
Gown in torrents.
IT'S always easier to set out of a
house than into it." he said, falling
back abreast Of us and taking Barton's
ether arm.
The roar Of the rain drowned the
necessity for caution, and he spoke as
naturally as If We had been sitting In
his studio. Better give him another
swallow out of the flask, Drew. on!
| never mind the rain. 1t will do us all
coed. / only nope il doesn't STOP"
Barton took a big drink, and then.
without another word, We set out as
briskly as we dared down the brick
paved path.
''Confound it," said Jeffrey presently
"the rains stacking up.''
The clouds are breaking, too. said
i. and pointed over to the right, vnere
a patch of gray sky appeared behind
the black curtain. The curtabo had
fringe of silver, too. There'd be moon
before long. As a matter of fac, under
swift, westerly breeze the sky was
clearing with alarming rapidty. Alarm
ing to nee, at least. To my mind that
group of watchers at the gate-the man
who had slept and the man who had
smoked his pipe. and Heaven knew how
many more besides-were getting more
formidable every moment.
But Jeffrey walked on. not seeming in
the least disturbed. although We could
now see the roadway plainly enough up
to where it was swallowed in the dark
Isn't the gate just beyond there" l
whispered.
He nodded. Then | saw him turn 4
look of real concern on our captive.
Barton had gone pretty white again ana
was already turning limp on our hands.
Take one more drink" said Jeffrey
encouragingly. "and then do exactly
what 1 tell you. There's nothing to
worry about. Keep on walking till you
get to the trees. then turn little to the
right. so that You parallel the path TO
the gate. Take care TO keep tolerably
well hidden. You don't have to be too
careful about il. But be sure and get
close to the gate. - - q,
Then wait there. whatever happens,
until you see the men come in. l think
they'll all come in, At any rate, they
won't leave more than one, and you can
deal with him, if you have TO. Drew. as
circumstances seem 10 dictate. But
don't look for trouble. AS soon as the
men have come through the gate you
slip out and start straight down the
road. And don't bother about anything
you hear coming behind you
He shot another look at Barton. Bet
ter uow?" he asked. ''All right"
Without waiting for any answer. he
crossed the road and soon lost himself
to our view in the trees on the other
side. Barton and / walked forward as
he had instructed, took shelter gladly
enough when we could get 1t. and then
paralleled the path down to the gate.
1t seemed strange to catch another
Whif of tobacco as We pulled up there.
The man was still smoking. 1t seemed
hours-years-since we had left him
there. l leaned Barton up against a
tree just inside the gate and settled my
self to await developments.
They weren't long coming. 1t couldn't
t,,.r. y
taken our position. when ] heard a cry
of alarm-a shout-a revolver shot-the
sound of some one running. plunging
heavily through the underbrush-and
then the shrill scream of a police whis-
tie, or what sounded like it. The effect
on the watchers outside was, as might
be expected. instantaneous. They came
tumbling through the gate, three Of
them. running in a dazed manner of
men just startled by a sudden alarm. I
remember seeing the smoker putting his
pipe in his pocket with one hand while
he tugged at a revolver with the other
Without Jeffreys explicit instructions.
should have left Barton 10 take his
chance and tried to go TO my friends
assistance For the terror of the out
cry, the revolver shot and the sound of
that heavy body plunging, blundering
among the trees. were all very realistic
not less ominOus.
But previous experience had taught
I
| his Instructions. So | obeyed them lit
orally. Barton and ] were out in the
road in no time at ALL and making the
best pace away from Beech Hill that
his condition would allow.
/ remember thinking. as we trudged
along, that | could promise myself one
thing with d good deal of confidence
that I'd never go inside those gates
again. If any one had prophesied that
I should find myself there once NOR.
ILL.,. IL.
should have called him lunatic. After
all. though. | didn't go in through the
gates.
We tramped along in glum silence
What Barton's thoughts might be !
didn't know. He seemed to be moving
at every step solely by force of will
For myself, ] was worried about JEFF
frey. But suddenly. even the thought
of him was swallowed up in the alarm
ing realization that behind us on the
road was an approaching automobile. II
was coming along pretty fast, too.
| had begun looking about In the
moonlit brightness for something that
would serve for cover to hide in until
1t should go by when / remembered the
last thing Jeffrey had said:
Don't mind anything you hear COM
ing from behind"
So, though il seemed like courting i'm
mediate capture. gripped Bartons arm
little more firmly. and plodded dog
SedlS along. The car came rapidly
nearer. Then. as II got TO position
where its driver must have been able
90 see us / heard it slowing down. or
course, We had given 1t ample room to
pass, and the sudden checking of its
speed was so ominous that if ii hadn't
been too late I'd have tried for a bolt
even then.
The clutch was out as it came along
side, creaking in the dark. And then
got another surprise; the sound of JEFF
freys chucltle from the drivers seat
'Al right" he said Tumble In and
I'll take YOU into Oldborough in no
time"
But Barton stood stock still in the
road.
II don't know who YOU are" he said.
nor what you're tr:ing TO do. | don't
know what you've been doing, nor !
don't care. But I'm rot going to make
any getaway. j have heard enough. II
you want TO take me to the police sta
t.ao In Oldhornno,, all right Tf yOtf