The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-10-23
CHAPTER v.
The Problem Of the Sealed Box.

Despite all his warnings, the warnings
Of Norton, she had tricked them and
run away. 1t was maddening. He
wanted to rave, tear his hair, break
things. He tramped the hall 1t would
be wasting time to send for the police
They would only putter about fruit
lessly. The Black Hundred knew how
to arrange these abductions.
How had they succeeded in doing it !?
No one had entered the house that day
without his being present. There had
been no telephone call he had not
heard the gist of. nor any letters he
had not first glanced over. How had
they done it? Suddenly into his mind
flashed the remembrance of the candle
light under Florence's door the night
before. In dozen bounds he was in
her room, searching drawers, paper
boxes, baskets. He found nothing. He
returned in despair to Susan, who,
during all this turmoil, had sat as if
frozen in her chair.
Speak," he cried. For Gods sake.
say something. think something! Those
devils are likely to torture her, hurt
herr" He leaned against the wall, his
head on his arm.
When he turned again he was calm.
He walked with bent head toward the
door, opened 1t and stood upon the
threshold for a. space. Across the
street shadow stirred, but Jones did
not see it. His gaze was attracted by
something which shone slimiy white on
the walk just beyond the steps. He
ran to it. A crumpled letter, unad-
dressed. He carried 1t back to the
house, smoothed it out and read it's
contents. Florence in her haste had
dropped the letter.
He clutched at his hat, put it on and
ran to Susan.
"Here!" he cried, holding out an au-
tomato. "If anyone comes in that you
don't know, shoot! Don't ask cues
tons, shoot"
I'm afraid" She breathed with diff
1culty.
"Afraid?" he roared at her. He put
the weapon in her hand. It slipped
and thudded to the floor. He stopped
Tor 1t and slammed it into her lap.
You love your life and honor. You'll
know how to shoot when the time
comes. Now, attend to me. If I'm
not back here by ten o'clock. turn this
note over to the police. If you can't
40 that, then God help us ALI" And
with that he ran from the house.
Susan eyed the revolver with grow
ing terror. For what had she left the
peace and quiet of Miss Farlow's; as
sassination, robbery, thieves and kid
napers? She wanted to shrek, but
ner throat was as dry as paper. Gin
gerry she touched the pistol. The cold
steel sent thrill of fear over her. He
oadnt told her how to shoot It!
Two blocks down the street, up an
alley. was the garage wherein Har-
gfeeve had been wont to keep his car.
toward this Jones ran with the speed
u track athlete. There might be
naif dozen taxicabs about, but he
would not run the risk of engaging
any one Of them The Black Hundred
was capable of anticipating his every
movement
Inc shadow across the street stood
undecided. At length he concluded to
sise Jones ten minutes in which to re-
turn. II he did not return within that
.lme. the watcher would go up to the
-ufug store and telephone for instruc-
tons.
nut Jones did not come back.
where's Howard?" he demanded.
Hello, Jones; what's up?"
Howard. get that car out at once"
Gut she comes. Wait till give her
'auiator a bucket of water. Gee!"
"nispered Howard. whom Hargreave
oi'en used as his chauffeur, "get ON to
us nibs! First time | ever saw him
a"aKe. ! wonder what's doing? You
4eser know what's back Of those
nummy-faced headwaiters. All
right. Jones!"
Inc chauffeur jumped into the car
auu Jones took the seat beside him.
where tor"
Number Is :" and the rest Of
eraiied away, smothered in the vio-
enl thunder of the big SKIS engines.
During the cars flight several police
uen hailed it without success. Down
a's street, up that, round this corner,
y miles an hour; and all the while
soues shouted: Faster. faster!"
Within twelve minutes from the time
'elt the garage, the car stopped op-
poslte No. Is Grove street, and Jones
GOT out.
wait here. Howard. If several men
sme rushing out, or l don't appear
.unin ten minutes, fire your gun q
soupie OF times for the police. don't
rant them If we can manage without.
Aney'd only bungle."
All right, Mr.. Jones" said the chauf.
sI. He had. in the past quarter of
= nour, acquired deep and lasting
sspect for the butler chap. He was a
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