The Dermott news., 1915-11-04

ready. and from the stable groom
led three OF the best-trained cross
country horses in the neighborhood,
for old Taylor Dodge. Elaine's father.
had been passionately fond Of hunting.
as had been both Elaine and Aunt 10.
sephine.
We met on the porch and few min.
utes later mounted and Cantered away
On the road Del Mar joined us and We
galloped along TO the Hunt club. care
full, however. to save the horses as
much as possible for the dash over
the fields.
For some time the uneouth tramp
continued gazing tXedly out OF the
bushes at the deserted hotel.
Suddenly he heard noise and
dropped fiat on the ground looking
keenly about. Through the trees he
could see one of Del Mars men sta
toned on sentry duty. He vas lean
ing against tree. on the alert.
The tramp rose cautiously and
moved OFF in another direction to that
III "iiiNi Ht uttl mug MS way
endeavoring to flank the sentry. Far
Their along, however. another Of Del
Mars men was standing In the same
attentive manner near path that led
from the woods.
AS the tramp approached the sentry
heard crackle OF the brush and
stepped forward. Before the tramp
knew it, he was covered by rifle
from the sentry in an unexpected
quarter.
Anyone but the sentry, with half an
eye. might have seen that the fear he
showed was cleverly feigned. He
threw his hands above his head even
before he was ordered, and in general
was the most tractable captive imag-
Unable. The sentry blew Il whistle,
Whereat the other sentry ran II.
What shall We do with him ,"
asked the captor.
Masters orders 10 take anyone to
the rendezvous. responded the other
firmly. and lock him up.
Together they forced the tramp to
march double quick toward the old
hotel One sentry dropped back at
the door and the other drove the
tramp before him into the hotel. avoid,
ing the big room on the side where
the men were NJ work and forcing him
upstairs to the attic which had once
been the servants quarters.
There was no window in tho room
and it was empty. The oaly light
came in through 4 skyligLt in the roof
The sentry thrust the tramp into
this room and tried 4 door leading TO
the next rco;l. 1t was locked. AT the
point OF his gun the sentry frisked the
tramp for weapons. but found none
As he did so the tramp smiled quietly
10 himself. He tried both doors, They
were locked. Then he looked at The
skyIight and meditated.
Down below, although he did not
know IT. in the bare dining room which
had been arranged into sort OF
chemical laboratory. Del Mars men
were engaged in manufacturing gas
bombs much like those used in the
war in Europe. Before them was
formidable array of bottles and re-
torts. The containers for the bombs
were large and very brittle globes of
hard rubber. AS the men made the
gas and forced it under tremendous
pressure into tubes. they protected
themselves by wearing goggles for the
eyes and large masks or cloth and sat
urated cotton over their mouths and
noses.
Satisfied with the safety or his cap.
tive. the sentry made his way down.
stairs and out again to report to Del
Mar
At the bungalow. Del Mars valet
was setting the library In order when
he heard signal in the secret pas.
sage. He pressed the button on the
desk and opened the panel. From ii
the sentry entered.
Where is Mr. Del Mar" he asked I
hurriedly, looking around. We've /
been followed to the headquarters BY
a tramp whom I've captured. and | !
don't know what to do with him"
He is not here" answered the |
valet. He has gone to the Country |
club"
"Confound IT," returned the sentry. !
yeXed nj the enforced waste OF time /
DO you think you can reach him."
III hurry. | may, nodded the valet. +
Then do So" directed the sentry.
He moved back into the panel and /
while the valet closed IL
A moment later he. too. picked up his
hat and hurried out.
Al the Wilkeshire club large mum.
Der OF hunters had arrived for the
imitation meet Elaine. Aunt Joseph.
inc. Del Mar and myself rode up and
were greeted by them as the master
OF the foXhounds assembled us. OF
a bit a splendid pack OF hounds was
held by the huntsman while they de.
bated whether to hold a paper chase
or try drag hunt
The chase was just about to start.
when the valet came up. Del Mar
caught his eye and excused himself TO