The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11

growing shrubs and trees, which formed
almost an arch over their heads.
AT night this viii. be as black as
the StyN." Sydney murmured
so much the better" Mr.. LaXworthy
assented. 1T is a veritable tunnel"
They came suddenly out into the sun
shine. The garden was a tangled will
derness Of beauty. Mimosa and climb
ing roses had run riot about the place.
Nowhere was there sign Of any human
being. They moved on across the over
grown lawn until they reached the
waters edge. They were separated now
from the villa only 10y that little strip
OF passageway. Mr.. LaXworthy held up
his hand
BE silent" he ordered.
There was something a little ominous
in his tone. They remained perfectly
motionless, still partially obscured be-
meath the grove Of oleanders which
fringed the bay. Peering through the
leaves Mr.. Laxworthy stood like a figure
Of stone. with his eyes upon the villa.
There Ia some one there" he said at
last softly.
There is no other entrance" Sydney
whispered.
Mr.. Laxworthy inclined his head a
little on one side. They saw then the
stern Of a small. petrol driven launch
anchored on the other side Of the villa,
SO close under the walls that II had been
invisible from the hill.
1T IL not only that" Mr.. LaXworthy
murmured. Listen"
They all listened intently. The air
seemed full Of the repose of afternoon.
Little waves, which were scarcely more
than tremor. broke upon the thin
line OF shingle. A few bees were hum
ming. but the place was empty OF birds
The background Of silence was almost
unnatural. And then they all heard
the sound which had first been heard
only by Mr.. LaXworthy-the faint. low
moaning Of human being in pain or
terror.
I'VE are too late!" Anderson NUT
tered.
Mr.. Laxworthy shook his head.
ut Is never too late. Comet
He Strengthened himself and brushed
away the protecting branches OF the
oleanders. Then he drew his gray
shawl closely around his shoulders and
stepped casually along toward that mar
row footpath. With his hand upon the
rail he stopped and turned to his COM
panions.
Everything about this place." he de.
clared enthusiastically. "favors ones
desire for seclusion. Think how one
could work among such surroundings!
Who could there be to disturb one!
What unwelcome visitors. indeed. could
find one out in such a PARADISE
They took his cue and chartered
lightly. but Anderson was a little pale
hnv lat no.
which held the match to Sydney's cigar
cite distinctly shook. Mr.. Laxworthy
stepped leisurely along the narrow path.
II he saw the white face suddenly flash
behind the window pane he took no
notice.
Have you said your prayers" sgd
ney murmured to Anderson.
Anderson shrugged his shoulders.
Il expect to hear the bullets whiz at
any moment" he replied. "But what
can one do? The chief knows"
At the end Of the narrow walk they
stood literally upon the rock. Here and
there were little clefts filled up with
green and planted with scarlet gerani-
ums. Immediately In front OF them was
broad veranda which encrcled the
whole Of the villa. There were indica-
| tons that the formal entrance was on
the other side. Mr. LaXworthy paused
to look around him.
This" he declared, "is perfectly de-
lightful. I wonder II by any chance 1t
would be possible to get inside, Try
that window, Sydney"
The young mans hand was already
outstretched toward the fastening. Sud-
denly he stood as though transfixed. No
one moved. Distinctly from the other
side of the house came the unmlstak-
able sound Of petrol engine.
"They are of. by heaven!" Anderson
muttered.
Mr.. Laxworthy led the way around
the veranda to the front. A dozen yards
already from the landing stage a man
was bending over the wheel OF low,
petrol driven launch. He turned his
head to look at them. and even Mr..
lAaxworthy gave little cry. The mans
face was obscured by black mask; he
was wrapped from head to foot In q
white linen duster. II was impossihle