Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-17

nedy mounted the steps Of stairway in the rear.
The stairway led to sort of storeroom, full OF
barrels and boxes, but otherwise characterless.
When arrived Kennedy was gingerly holding up
the smocks which the crooks had
Were on the right TRAIL" commented Elaine
as he showed them to her. "but where do you sup
pose the owners are?"
Craig shrugged his shoulders and gave a quick
look about. Evidently they came in from and
went away by the street." he observed, hurrying to
the door, followed by Elaine.
On the sidewalk he gazed up the avenue, then
catching sight of the street cleaner called to him.
YES sor," replied the man, stolidy, looking
up from his work. 81 see three gentlemen come
out and get into an automobile"
Which way did they go?" asked Kennedy.
For answer the man jerked his thumb his
shoulder in the general direction uptown
Ibid you notice the number on the carp" asked
Craig, eagerly.
The man shrugged his shoulders blankly.
With keen glance, Kennedy strained his eyes.
Far up the avenue he could descry the thread
ing its way and out among the others, Just about
disappearing.
moment later Craig caught sight of the va
cant taxcab and crooked his finger at the driver,
who answered promptly by cranking his engine
"You saw that limousine standing here?" asked
Craig.
YES" nodded the chauffeur with show of
alertness.
well, follow IT," ordered Kennedy, jumping
into the cab.
YES sir"
Craig was just about to close the door when
slight figure flashed past us and dainty foot'was
placed on the step.
please, Mr.. Kennedy" pleaded Elaine, ''let
CO. They may lead to my fathers slayer"
She said It earnestly that Craig could
scarcely have resisted if he had wanted to do
Just as Elaine and Kennedy we're moving off
/ out of the vacant store, with Bennett and
the detectives.
"Craig!" called. Where are you going?"
Kennedy stuck his head out of the window and
1 quite sure that he not altogether dis
pleased that was not with him.
Chasing that limousine" he shouted back.
"Follow US in another car"
A moment later he and Elaine were gone.
Bennett'and looked about
There couple of cabs--down there" l
pointed out at the other end of the block "I'll .
take one. you take the other"
Followed by a couple of the detectives, I jumped
into the first to-, exctedly telling the
driver to follow Kennedys taxi, directing him with
my head out of the window,
'Mr. Jameson, please-can't go with your"
1 turned. It was Susie Martin. zone Of you
fellows go in the other car asked the detectives.
Before the could move, Mr.. Martin him
self appeared!
mo- Susan, Fl won't allow it," he ordered
But Elaine went" she pouted
well Elaine is--ah-I won't Have it," stormed
Martin.
There was no time to waste. With hasty
apology, drove off.
Who, besides Bennett went in the other car I
don't know, but it made no difference, for we soon
lost them. Our driver, however, a really
clever fellow. Far ahead now could see the
limousine drive around corner, making danger
GUS swerve. Kennedys cab followed, skidding
dangerously pole.
But the taxcab match for the power
full limousine. On uptown they went, the only
thing preventing the limousine from escaping be-
ing the fear of pursuit by traffic police IL the driver
let out speed. They content to manage to
keep just far enough ahead to be out of danger
of having Kennedy overhaul them AS for u.s. we
followed as best we could, on uptown, past the
city line, and out into the country
There Kennedy lost sight altogether of the car
he was trailing. Worse than that, lost sight of
Kennedy. Still kept on blindy trusting to
luck and common sense in picking the road
was peering ahead over the drivers shoulder
the window down, trying to direct him, when we
approached fork in the road. Here was a
dilemma which must be decided at once, rightly or
wrongly.
As we neared the crossroad gave an involun4 '
tary exclamation. Beside the road, almost on it,
lay the figure of a Our driver pulled up with
jerk and was out of the car in an instant.
There lay Kennedy! Someone had blackjacked
him. He grooming and just beginning to show
signs of consciousness as bent over.
What's the matter, old MANI" asked, help
ing him to his feet.
He looked about dazed moment, then see
ing and comprehending he pointed exctedly,
but aguely.
"Elaine'" he cried They've kidnapped
Elaine!
What had. really happened. as we learned later
from Elaine and Others was that when the cross
roads reached the three crooks in the Hmou-
sine had stopped long enough to speak to an accom-
plice stationed there, according TO their plan for
getaway. He was a tough-looking individual who
might have been hoboing It to the city