The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-07

lllC way ~ hAlSII IllCJ "S1C INV
preted.
Braine heard of the failure. The
Black Hundred was finding it's stock
far below a value. Four valuable
men locked up in the Tombs await
ing trial, to say nothing of the sever
gunner gathered in at the old ware
house. Braine began to suspect that
his failures were less due to chance
than to calculation, that at last he
had encountered a mind which anti
cipated his every nov He would
have recognized this fact earlier had
it not been that revenge had temporar-
lily blinded him. The spirit Of revenge
ever makes for mental clarity.
There was a meeting that night of
the Black Hundred. Four men were
told off, and they drew their chairs up
to Vroon's table for instructions.
Braine sat at Vroon's elbow. These
four men composed the most danger
Gus quartet in New York city. They
were as daring as they were desper-
ate. They were the men who held up
bank messengers and got away with
thousands. They had learned to swoop
down upon their victims as the hawk
swoops down upon the heron. The
newspapers referred to them as the
auto bandits" and the men took a
deal of pride in the furore they had
created.
Vroon went over the Hargreave
case infinitely; he left no detail un-
explained. Bluntly and frankly, the
daughter Of Stanley Hargreave must
be caught and turned over to the care
of the Black Hundred. 1t must be
quick action. Four valuable members
were in the Tombs. They might or
might not weaken under pressure. For
the first time in it's American career
the organization stood facing actual
peril; and its n possible chance or
salvation lay in the fact that no ones
face was known to his neighbor. He,
Vroon, and the boss alone knew who
and what each man was. But the
plans, the ramifcations of the organ
ization might become public property;
and that would mean an end to an
exceedingly profitable business.
The daughter Of Hargreave rode
horseback early every morning. She
sought the country road. She was in.
variably attended by the riding mas
ter of a school near by.
You four will make your own
plans"
IF she should be %injured?"
Avoid it if possible"
1--WE have a free hahd?"
Absolutely"
I'VE risk a bad fall from her horse
if it's a spirited one"
pretend a breakdown in the road"
interpolated Braine. LAS they ap-
approach, draw and order them to dis.
mount. That method will prevent any
accident"
We'll plan it somehow. 1t looks
easy"
Nothing is easy where that girl
is concerned. A thousand eyes seem
to be watching her slightest move"
I'VE shan't leave anything to
chance. How many days will you
give u.s."
Seven. A failure, mind you, will
prove unhealthy to all concerned"
with a menac which made the four
stir ~uneasily.
The telephone rang. Braine reached
for the receiver.
"a man just entered the Hargreave
house at the rear. Come at once"
was the message.
rs your car outsider" Braine asked.
1--WE are never without It,"
Then let us be off. No n will
stop US for speeding on a side street"
Fourteen minutes by the clock
brought the car to a stand at the curb
a few houses below the Hargreave
home. The men got out. The watch
er ran up.
He Is still inside he whispered.
Good! Spread out. If anyone
leaves that house, catch him. If he
runs too fast, shoot. We can beat
the police"
The man obeyed, and the watcher
ran back to his post. He was des-
perately hoping the affair would ter
inmate tonight. He was growing
weary of this eternal vigilance: and it
was only his fear Of the man known
as the boss that kept him at his post.
He wanted a night to carouse in, to
be with the boys.
The man for whom they were lying
in wait was seen presently to creep
cautiously round the side Of the house.
He Rugged a corner and paused. They
could see the dim outline of his body.
The light in the street back of the
grounds almost made a silhouette of
him. BY and by, as if assured that
the coast was clear, he stole down to
the street.
Halt"
Instantly the prowler took to his
heels. Two shots rang out. The man
was seen to stop, stagger, and then go
on desperately.
Hes hit"
By the time the men reached the
corner they heard the rumble Of a
motor. One dashed back to the car
they had left standing at the curb. He
made quick work Of the job, but he