The Dermott news., 1915-10-28
CHAPTER TX.
A Stern Chase.

Miss Irene Courtier. II such were
her name. rose from her couch in an
upper room in the Hardin cottage
with an agility that gave no hint Of a
disabled ankle.
At last she sped a Knot in one OF
! the floor boards. She procured a nail
file from her handbag and within a
few moments had removed the knot
from its containing hole Then she
treated herself to view Of the room
| below
She perceived that n celebration
WAS in progress Upon the table vas
a birthday cake with eighteen candles
in it. and about the table We're four
people Annette. the center Of attrae-
! ton: Neal and his mother and his
foster brother, Joe Welcher.
Mrs Hardin stepped TO a cupboard
and drew forth paper bundle. She,
| placed il on the table and by the high,
] OF the eighteen candles she un~rapped
il, exhibiting to Annette llineton and
to the boys a set OF childish garments,
a heavy leather bag that Cilnked as
! she laid il down. and a mysterious
looking yellow packet, sealed With red
/ sealing wax She unpinned from a
diminutive dress n piece Of paper
which she read aloud
The listener above started as the
note was read Il was & strange note
it contained both promise and
warning
Look" said Annette suddenly. as
/ she examined her possessions. here
is locket"
In II there was picture OF man.
My father" said Annette. Il am
sure It is my father Where is he
when Will he como for me-
suddenly Welcher started forward
Godfrey he cried, did you hear
that
It's shot from n smallbore gun.
said Neal Come on, Joe Weleher
let's 20 out and see"
The shot was the indirect result Of
the raid upon the ganssters OF the
Side Pocket"
For an hour AT least n government
destroyer with United States revenu"
officers aboard had patrolled the coast
waiting for the signal arranged rs
per the unsigned bit OF paper taken
from the coat pocket Of shorty.
The signal was flash flare The
destroyer waited for II. Suddenly an
officer held up his hand
There. close in shore
a light flashed forth into the night
Nov. we've got them where We
want them said the officer Man
the launch and get away as quietly AS
possible"
Meantime Hernandez and his two
companions, Ponto and the brute,
waited with the patience OF adventur
ers for the replying signal They
were anchored in a speedy motor boat
in a small cove TO the south Of Sea
port Receiving no answer TO Their
signal. they flashed another fare into
the darkness. Once more they were
disappointed Suddenly Hernandez
sprang TO the engine and turned il
over.
Steer an even course down shore.
Hernandez cried 10 Ponto Keep out
Of the open. II they press US we can
land and make n getaway.
The commander OF the destroyer
glanced through his glasses.
That's a bad crowd" he said "a
desperate bunch Send up gunner
| think I'll take chance"
They sent up gunner and he took
a chance. The bow OF the motor boat
few into space. Hernandez and his
gang were plunged into sea,
With one accord Hernandez and his
two companions struck out for the
shore.
AT the Hardin cottage. at the sound
OF the shot. Neal and Annette had
rushed forth with Joe Welcher a close
third.
Come on. joe" said Neal. Stay
where you are. Annette.
But Annette. always venturescme.
insisted upon keeping them company
They had not gone twenty PAGES when
something happened There was a
sudden rush from Down the road and
man, his breath coming quick and
fast, darted upon them. passed them.
and was away in an instant. But In
that instant he had accidentally or by