Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-05-08

car. Good-bye-and good luckw
Then he stepped into the launch,
and the little craft shot out rapidly
over the water to where the yacht lay
all ready to weigh anchor. The day
was coming fast now and there was
no time to be lost. Cornish's instruc-
tons to the captain had been most
explicit. The Murita had cruised off
Southampton until nearly daybreak
and had then run i'm close enough to
permit the landing Of the launch.
Officially, the trim little vessel had not
been noted, and now if they were able
to get away before being observed,
or before the news of Harcourt's dis
appearance could cause a lookout for
departing craft, Cornish knew they
were safe-that the success of his
carefully laid plan was assured.
His muscles stiff and sore, his head
aching violently, and his mouth
chafed and sore from the gag, Har-
court breathed sigh of relief when
he felt himself placed gently upon
what seemed to be bed. In another
moment the suffocating tarpaulin
was pulled from about him and some
one began to cut the bonds that cut
into his wrists and ankles.
The two men who had carried him
departed noiselessly, and in the dim
light of the little cabin, Harcourt
made out someone standing in the
doorway A second later the electric
lights were switched on and he saw
Adele smiling mischievously at him.
Harcourt sat up with difficulty and
surveyed his dishevelled appearance.
His evening clothes were sadly dis
arranged, and he blinked at the lights
as he rubbed his wrists ruefully.
"Good morning, Lord Harcourt,"
Adele said gaily.
81 say-what's this all about?" he
stammered, still winking at the lights.
isn't this bit tough on chap, Miss
Cornish"
"Perhaps-just bit" she agreed,
"But you must blame dad-not me-"
"His American idea of a joke is
certainly rather rough, / must say"
The girl laughed merrily. "Do you
think it all a Joke ?" she asked.
isn't it?
"Well not exactly" she explained
dad will be down as soon as we are
safely away, and he will tell you all
about it."
"My dear Miss Cornish" said Har-
court anxiously. Surely we are not
leaving England
"I'm afraid we are. But / must
leave you now. You'll find clothing
and | think everything you'll need, in
that chest in the corner"
Am ! being-ah-stolen?" he de
manded in establishment.
Adele laughed again at his per-
plexity. Eyes, you are a prisoner,
she told him. But do not fear-you
will not have to marry me in order TO
ransom yourself! Now promise me
that you will not try to leave this
cabin until father comes to see you.
Then | can leave you to dress in
peace"
But, Miss Cornish-if this vessel
is leaving"
There are guards at the door," she
said, inteirupting him, eff you should
try to get out they would only be
obliged to use force-so / hope you
will do as ! ask Of you"
He stared at her questioningly, un-
able to believe his ears. For a mo-
ment the girl returned his gaze quite
seriously, then, as he was about to
speak again, she turned and fled.
closing the door noiselessly behind
her.
Sitting on the edge of the bed
alone IN the cabln-HarcOurt tried to
puzzle out the events of the night.
Unquestionably these people had de-
liberately carried him off by force
against his will. And the most as
tonishing part of it was the fact that
Darlington and Farndale-and even
Sir Thomas-had taken part in the
abduction.
He crossed to the narrow portfolio
and looked out. The yacht was GER
tainly heading out to sea-and he
swore to himself as he realized that
he was being forced to break the word
he had given to MacBee-his promise
not to go away without advising the
Inspector. Then the thought Of Grace
and the mysterious monogram return
ed. What was her association with