Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-08

"Humph!" said Kane. "rhat sounds
funny to me-"
Ruth nodded. looking at the note
Then she said. more cheerfully: I'll
dress anyway Maybe he needs me-
Now, you old dear. leave me awhile"
Kane departed. and ruth quickly
changed into street dress. While she
was doing this the bellboy returned to
say that machine was waiting for
her.
1.-THE one that brought the note" he
said. "He says he was told to wait
"Ohr' she exclaimed Tell him III
be right down."
| When the boy had gone she chilled
| Tom Kane on the telephone and told
him that she was going John sent a
car for me-" she added.
"All right" came back the answer
"I'll just travel along. Maybe might
help John myself"
So ii was agreed. and they met III
the lobby. where Ruth showed the note
to the clerk in her inpnsive way.
| Something In that officials expression
made the old cook unobtrnsively take
out his revolver and see that 1t was in
good condition. He followed Ruth to
the street and into the waiting ma.
chine.
This move disconnected Drake. He
had not intended to have two pas
sengers. but he saw no help for it and
n, I,i M,
to take her to the city prison. He
| started his engine and they sped off
up the hill.
They rode for some time and us nei-
Their OF them was acquainted with the
city It did not occur to them that they
we're being rapidly conveyed into a
part of town only partly built up and
now yelled in dense clouds of swirling
fog.
Its long way" Ruth remarked
several times. hut Kane merely grunt-
ed He was busily bordering over
some method of extricating John Dorr.
Suddenly the car swerved around a
corner. dived down q steep hill and
came to stop before big gray build
ing-the boarded up residence of an
absentee. Reaching back. Drake open
ed the door. and Ruth sprang out
A figure darted across the sidewalk,
and she felt herself clutched by the
arm.
| She looked into the cleaning. cruel
eyes Of Wilkerson.
1--we got you now!" he said trium-
phantly.
"Oh!" moaned Ruth. shrinking back
in terror.
ayes. indeed" WiIkerson tainted
her.
But at that moment he heard another
voice. stern. commanding and familiar.
he looked around into the muzzle of
Tom Kane's revolver.
For the moment they faced each
other. while Ruth shrank back still far
ther The old mans eyes cleaned
and his trigger finger seemed to rest
ON the trigger with precise and deli
cate touch.
"You herew said wilkerson with an
oath.
Suddenly the old mans temper fared
up. The other saw death in his eyes.
turned on his heel and ran as fast as
he could up the street
Without a seconds hesitation Kane
swung his weapon round till it cover
| ed Drake. covering at his wheel
Now you drive us back to the no
tel" he Numbered. And IL you make
a false move I'll drill We as sure as
God gave me good shooting eyes"
Drake saw that he was helpless and
sulkily waited till they were in and
then turned his car back toward the
center of the city. Tom Kane sat
grimly just behind him with his gun
ready. And his mind was piecing
things together. Suddenly he saw a
policeman Oh his beat and realized that
luck was playing his cards for him.
He ordered Drake to halt and hailed
the officer To that somewhat aStonisl-
ed individual the cook explained brief
ly that he had just foiled an abduction
plot and that the chauffeur was in it.
Though Drake strenuously denied the
charge the policeman decided that 1t
was case for the captain.
"I'll just ride in front here. and well
go to headquarters. he remarked.
you can put up that gun. old fellow,
for I'll see that young fellow doesn't
cut up any monkey shines"
In the meantime Everett had sue
cessfully managed DORIS business. and
he had been released on nominal bail
for hearing. "And guess yon won't
find US very anxious to make it hard
for you" said the prosecuting attor-
ney.
Free again. John insisted on taking
the quickest route back to the hotel.
Everett. sympathetic in this. agreed
and in few minutes they were at the
hotel inquiring for Ruth.
why. she left only little while
ago to see you in the prison." said the
clerk. "She had a note from you"
II wrote no note" said John.
Here 1t is." was the response 'She
left 1t on the desk in her bury
Eagerly John snatched the sheet OF
paper. but the instant his eyes lit on II
he turned furious face to Everett.
Its forgery. trick" he said 81
never wrote it,
CHAPTER XVI.
Too Late!