The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-10-14

weary Of this eternal vigilance; and 1t
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.
TIE man for whom they were lying
in wait was seen presently to creep
cautiously round the side Of the house.
He hugged 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 ii assured that
the coast was clear, he sto!s 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 .
motor Gne dashed back to the car
they had left standing at the curb. He
made quick work Of the job, but he
was not quick enough. Still, they gave
chase They saw the car turn toward
the city. But, unfortunately for the
success Of the chase. several automo-
| biles passed, going into town and ieav-
ing it. Checkmate.
Braine was keen enough tonight
"He is hit; whether badly or not re-
mains to be seen. We can find that
out. Drive to the nearest drug store
and get a list of hospitals. It's q ten
to one shot that we land him some
where among the hospitals"
But they searched the hospitals il
vain. None of them had that night re-
ceived a shooting case, nor had they
heard one reported. The man had
been unmistakably hit. He would not
have dared risk the loss Of time for
bit Of play-acting. Evidently he had
kept his head and sought his lodgings.
To call up doctors would be utter
folly; for it would take a week for s
thorough combing. This was the Sec
ond time the man had got away.
Perhaps I'm to blame" admitted
Braine. Il should have advised Niles
to stalk him and pot him if be got the
chance. There's a master mind work
ing somewhere back Of all this, and it's
time woke up to the fact. But you"
turning to the auto bandits. you men
have your instructions. More than
that, you have been given a free rein.
See that you make good, or by the
Lord Harry! I'll break the four Of you
like pipestems."
I'VE haven't had failure yet" spoke
up one of the men, more courageous
than his companions.
"You are not holding up bank mes
senger this trip. Remember that.
Drive me as far IS Columbus circle.
Leave me on the side street, between
the lights, so can take of this mask
Later Braine sauntered into Pabst
and ordered a light supper. This
nights work, more than anything else,
brought home to him the fact that his
luck was changing. For years he had
proceeded with his shady occupations
without encountering any memorable
failure. He moved in the high world,
quite unsuspected He had written
books, given lectures, been made lion
of, all the while laughing in his sleeve
at the gullibility Of human nature. But
within the last two weeks ne had re-
ceived serious checks. From now or
he must move with the utmost caution.
Some one was playing his own game,
waging warfare unseen. A battle OF
wits? So be it; but Braine intended
to play with rough wits, and he wasn't
going to are which way the sword
cut
He hated Stanley Hargreave with all
the hatred Of his soul; the hatred OF a
man baked in love. And the man was
alive, defying him; alive somewhere
in this city this very night, with bull
let under his skin
els everything satisfactory, SIR" he
heard the head waiter say.
Satisfactory" Braine repeated
blankly.
Eyes, sir. You struck the table as
though displeased."
"O!" Then Braine laughed relieved
~. "If struck the table, it was done
unconsciousiy. was thinking"
BEG pardon, sir! Anything else,
STR"
mo. Bring me the check"
"Your master gives riding lessons? 2?
The groom who had led the horse
back from Hargreave's eyed his ques-
toner rather superciliously.
"Yes." The groola fondled the anil
mails legs.
How much is it9"
Twenty dollars for a ticket Of FIVE
rides. The master is the fashion u
here. He doesn't cater to any but thc
best families"
Pretty steep. Who was that young
lady riding this morning with your
master?"
That's the girl all the newspapers
have been talking about" answered
the groom Importantly.
"Actress?'
Actress. I should say not. That
young woman Is the daughter Of Stan
ley Eargreave, the millionaire who
was lost ct sea. And it won't be long
before she puts her finger in a pie OF
four or five millions. # you want any
rides, you'll have to talk 1t over with
the boss. He may or may not take
any more rides. You'd probably have
to ride in the afternoon, anyhow, as
every nag is out IN the morning"
where's the most popular road?'
eTo-orS tho por1y. b,,f Mice Ear-