Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1915-09-21

cal.
The wrong trunk" she smiled to
herself, lifting the tray out and put
ting the other one in. while she placed
the first tray with the torpedo con-
eealed in the other, unmarked. trunk
where it belonged. Then she closed
the first trunk
A moment later the expressman en-
tered. with Bertholdi
You may take that one" indicated
Elaine.
Miss Dodge, here's something else
to go in.' said Bertholdi in despera-
ton, picking up her dress.
Never mind Put it in the other
trunk"
BerthoIdi was baffled. but she man
aged to control herself. She must get
word to Del Mar about that trunk
marked e. Dodge"
Late that afternoon, before cheap
restaurant, might have been seen old
old friend who had posed as Bailey
and as the Mexican. He entered the
restaurant and made his way to the
first of row of booths on one side.
Hello" he nodded to a girl in the
booth.
Bertholdi nodded back and he took
his seat. She had begged an hour
or two off on some pretext.
Outside the restaurant, heavily
bearded man had been standing look
ing intently at nothing in particular
when Bartholdi entered. AS Bailey
came along. he followed and took the
next booth. his hat pulled over his
eyes. In a moment he was listening,
his ear close up to the partition.
We'll, what luck?" asked Bailey
Did you get clue?"
Il had the torpedo model in my
hands," she replied excitedly telling
the story. 1T is in a trunk marked
e. Dodge"
All this and more the bearded
stranger drank in eagerly.
A moment later Bailey and Bar
tholdi left the booth and went out of
the restaurant, followed cautiously by
the stranger. On the street the two
emissaries of Del Liar stopped a mo-
ment to talk.
"All right, I'll telephone him. she
said as they parted in opposite direc-
tions.
The stranger took an instant to
make up his mind, then followed the
girl. She continued down the street
until she came to a store with tele-
phone booths. The bearded stranger
followed still, into the next booth, but
did not call number. He had his
ear to the wall.
He could hear her call Del Mar,
and although he could not hear Del
Mars answers. she repeated enough
for him to catch the drift. Finally, she
came out, and the stranger, instead
of following her further took the 9th
er direction hurriedly.
Del Mar himself received the news
with keen excitement. Quickly he
gave instructions and prepared to
leave his rooms.
A short time later his car pulled up
before the La Costa and, in a long
duster and cap, Del Mar jumped in
and was off.
Scarcely had his car swung up the
avenue when, from an alleyway down
the street from the hotel, the chug
chug of a motorcycle sounded. A
bearded man, his face further hidden
by pair of goggles, ran out with his
machine, climbed on and followed.
On out into the country Del Mars
car sped At every turn the motorcy-
Gle dropped back bit. observed the
turn, then crept up and took it. too.
So they went for some time.
On the level of the Grand Central
where the trains left for the Connect
cut shore where Elaine's summer home
was located, Bailey was now edging
his way through the late crowd down
the platform. He paused before the
baggage car just as one of the bag
gage motor trucks rolled up loaded
high with trunks and bags. He stepped
back as the men loaded the baggage
on the car. watching carefully.
AS they tossed on one trunk marked
"E. Dodge" he turned with a subtle
look and walked away. Finally he
squirmed around to the other plat
form. No one was looking and he
mounted the rear of the baggage car
and opened the door. There was the
baggage man sitting by the side door.
his back to Bailey. Bailey closed the
door softly and squeezed behind pile
of trunks and bags.
Finally Del Mar reached spot on
the railroad where there were both a
curve and grade ahead. He stopped
his car and got out.
Down the road the bearded and Cog
gled motorcyclist stopped just in time
to avoid observation. To make sure.
he drew a pocket field glass and lev
eled it ahead.
Wait here" ordered Del Mar. I'll
call when l want you"
Back on the road the bearded cy-
clist could see Del Mar move down the
track though he could not hear the
directions. 1t was not necessary, how
ever. He dragged his machine into
the bushes, hid it, and hurried down
the road on foot
Del Mars chauffeur was waiting
idly at the wheel when suddenly the
cold nose of a revolver was stuck
under his chin.
mot woodland hands up-or I'll
let the moonlight through you,
growled out a harsh voice.
Nevertheless the chauffeur man.
aged to lurch out of the car and the
bearded stranger, whose revolver it
was, found that he would not dare to
shoot. Del Mar was not far enough
away to risk it.
The chauffeur flung himself on him
and they struggled fiercely, rolling