Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1915-06-29
VIRGINIA


weary of this eternal vigilance; and 1t
was only his fear of the man known
as the boss that kept him at his post.
He wanted night to carouse in, to
be with the boys
The man for whom they we're lying
In wait was seen presently to creep
cautiously round the side Of the house.
He Rugged corner and paused. They
could see the dim outline of his body.
The light in the street back of the
grounds almost made a silhouette OF
him. BY and by, as il aTsured that
the coast was clear, he stole down to
the street.
Halt"
heels. Two shots rang out. The man
was seen to stop, stagger, and then go
on desperately.
He's hit!"
BY the time the men reached the
corner they heard the rumble of
motor. One dashed back to the car
they had left standing at the curb. He
made quick work of the job, but he
was not quick enough. Still, they gave
chase. They saw the car turn toward
the city. But, unfortunately for the
success Of the chase, several automo-
biles passed, going into town and leav-
ing it. Checkmate.
Braine was keen enough tonight
HE is hit; whether badly or not re-
mains to be seen. We can find that
out. Drive to the nearest drug store
and get a list of hospitals. It's ten
to one shot that we land him some
where among the hospitals"
But they searched the hospitals in
vain None Of them had that night re-
ceived shooting case, nor had they
heard one reported. The man had
been Enthusiastically hit. He would not
have dared risk the loss of time for
bit of playacting. Evidently he had
kept his head and sought his lodgings.
To call up doctors would be utter
folly; for it would take a week for
thorough combing. This was the Sec
ond time the man had got away.
Perhaps I'm to blame" admitted
Braine. Il should have advised Miles
chance. There's a master mind work
ing somewhere back of all this, and it's
time woke up to the fact. But you,"
turning to the auto bandits, .'you men
have your instructions. More than
that, you have been given a free rein.
See that you make good. or by the
Lord Harry! I'll break the four of you
like pipestems."
we haven't had failure YET" spoke
up one of the men, more courageous
than his companions.
"You are not holding up bank mes
senger this trip. Remember that.
Drive me as far as Columbus circle.
Leave me on the side street, between
the lights, 80 can take off this mask
Later Braine sauntered into Pabst
and ordered light supper. This
nights work, more than anything else,
brought home to him the fact that his
luck was changing. For years he had
proceeded with his shady occupations
without encountering any memorable
failure. He moved In the high world,
quite unsupported. He had written
books, given lecturee, been made Hon
Of, all the while laughing la his sleeve
at the gullibility Of human nature, hut
within the last two weeks he had re-
ceived serious checks. Ffeta new on
he must move with the utmost caution,
Some one was playing his own game,
waging warfare unseen, A hattie OF
wits? So be IT.; but nraine intended
10 play with rough wits, and he wasn't
going to care which way the sword
cut.
lie hated Stanley Hargreave with all
the hatred OF his soul, the hatred OF
man baked In love, And the man was
alive, defying him; alive somewhere
in this city this very night with bull
let under his skin.
"IH everything satisfactory. sir?" he
heard the head waiter say.
Satisfactory" Braine repeated
blankly.
YES sir. You struck the table as
though displeased."
"O!" Then Braine laughed relieved
ly. 'If struck the table, it was done
unconsciously. was thinking"
beg pardon. sir! Anything else,
sir?'
No. Bring me the check