The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-11-26

AS matter Oh ldCl, tHey udu WduIeu
Jones almost as badly as Florence,
but her desire for a book-some
popular story of the day-had saved
him from the net. The letter had
been written against this possibility.
Jones became cool. now that he
knew just what to face The Queen
hotel meant nothing. Florence would
not be taken there. He called up Nor
ton. 1t took all the buffers patience.
however, as it required seven different
calls to locate the reporter.
Meantime the taxicab containing
Florence and Susan spun madly toward
the water front. Here the two we're
separated by an effective threat. Flor
ence recognized the man Vroon and
knew that to plead for mercy would
be a waste of time. She permitted
herself to be led to a waiting launch.
Always when she disobeyed Jones
something like this happened But
this time they had cunningly struck
at her heart, and all thought of her
personal safety became as nothing.
For the present she knew that she was
in no actual physical danger She
was merely to be held as hostage.
Would Susan have mentality enough
to tell Jones where the taxicab had
stopped? She doubted In an emer-
gency Susan had proved herself a
nonentity, a bundle of hysterical
thrills.
AS a matter of fact, for once Flor
ence's deductions were happily wrong.
When the chauffeur peremptorily de-
posted Susan on the lonely country
road several miles from home, she
ran hot-foot to the nearest telephone
and sent a very concise message
home Susan was becoming acclimated
to this strange, exciting existence.
Norton arrived in due time, and
he and Jones were mapping out plan
when Susan's message came.
Good grill" said Jones. She's
learning. Can you handle this alone,
Norton? They want me out of the
house again. for l believe they were
after me as we'll as Florence. Half
an hour gone"
Trust mel" cried Norton.
: And he ran out to his auto. 1t was
a wild ride Several policemen shouted
after him, but he went on unmindful.
They could take his license. number
a hundred times for all he cared. SO
they had got her? They could wait
til their enemys vigilance Stacked
and then would strike? But Susan
The next time he saw Susan he was
going 10 take her in his arms and kiss
lher. It might be a new sensation to
kiss Susan, always so prim and ofish,
Corey street-that had been her direc-
ton. They had put Florence in a
motor boat at the foot of Corey street,
He was perhaps half an hour behind.
Florence never opened her lips. She
stared ahead proudly. She would
show these scoundrels that she was
her fathers daughter. They piled
her with questions, but she pretended
not to hear.
We'll, pretty bird, we'll make you
speak when the time comes. We've
got you this trip where we want you.
There won't be any jumping over
board this session, believe me. We've
wasted enough time. We've got you
and we're going to keep you"
Let her be-" said Vroon morosely
We'll put all the questions we wish
when we're at our destination" And
he nodded significantly toward the
ships riding at anchor.
Florence felt her heart sink in spite
of her abundant courage. Were they
going to take her to sea again? She
had acquired horror of the sea, SO
big, so terrible, so strong. She had
had an experience with its sullen
power. They had gone about four
miles down when she looked back
longingly toward shore Something
white seemed to be spinning over the
water far behind At first she could
not discern what it was. AS she
watched it it grew and grew. 1t final
ly emerged from the illusion of a gi-
gantic bird into the actuality of an
everyday hydroplane. Her heart gave
a great bound. This flying machine
was coming directly toward the
launch; 1t did not deviate a hairs
breadth from the line. Fortunately
the men were looking toward the huge
freighter a quarter of a mile farther
on, and from their talk 1t was' evident
that that freighter was to be her pris-
on-bound for where? Nearer and
nearer came the hydroplane. Was it
for her?
It was impossible for the men not
TO take notice of the barking Of the
engines at last.
"The things headed for u.s."
Vroon stared under his palm. It
was not credible that pursuit had
taken place so quickly. To test yonder
man-bird. he abruptly changed tha
course OF the launch. The hydroplane
veered its course to suit.
Florence heard her name called
family. One Of the men drew his
revolver. but vroon knocked 1t out