Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-06-12


of beach and looked down toward the
inlet where they had landed. A little
cry escaped her as she saw the launch
they had left there putting slowly out
through the narrow channel. Three
figures were crouching down in the
stern and in the bottom of the boat
she could see some heavy bale-like
OBJECT. The launch was outside the
inlet now and was swinging about to
the north, where there was sharp
bluff marking an abrupt turn in the
coast.
Spellbound, she stood looking after
the little craft, unable to understand
the meaning of what she saw or to
figure out who could be making off in
that way. She could only see the
backs of the three men and they were
now too far away for her to have rec
oginzed them even if their faces had
been turned toward her.
Suddenly, as she watched, she be-
came conscious of a figure coming
from the left, down close by the
waters edge. Just as she turned to
look in that direction a second figure
appeared and she saw them both
point excitedly after the launch.
Then the two started off up the
beach on run. Fascinated she stood
watching them hurry along, curious
as to what it all meant, and not in
the least frightened. There seemed
to be something strangely familiar
about one of the men, but at first
she could not make out what it was
In another moment, however, his iden-
tity flashed across her mind, and she
knew the man was MacBee.
The recognition gave her a start
as she realized the danger of his pres
ence. She gave no thought to the
reasons of his being there, nor to
who he might be pursuing in the es-
Gaping launch. Her one thought was
to keep Harcourt concealed, and she
closed the door hurriedly, barring il
as best she could with the rough stick
that served for bolt.
Peering through the boards she
watched the inspector and his com
panion, who were still running rapid
| ly. In another moment they had dis
appeared around the bluff and, with
the launch, were concealed from view
When they had gone she turned Il
look at Harcourt, lying helpless ano
unconscious of it all. For the frs
time she felt glad that he could no
know, for she realized that she coult
not have kept him there if he hat
been able to see MacBee. In spite O.
her efforts she felt sure he would hav,
stepped out and given himself VI
promptly.
For another hour she sat quietly
watching and waiting, dreading ever!
moment that the detective might re
turn. The seemingly endless tim'
slipped by, and gradually the daylight
began to fade. AS the darkness came
on her fears increased, and although
it was growing colder now, she hest
tated to light a fire least it betra.
their presence in the hut. Severa
times she felt for the matches in he
fathers greatcoat, but each time sh,
resisted the temptation although sh,
had seen nothing of MacBee since tn,
morning.
Nervous and shivering, she So
huddled in the corner, anxious too fo
Harcourt, who should have been in
doctors hands long ago. Now sh,
heard someone approaching, and hur
riedly caught up her slicker to throw
it over Harcourt. This done, sh'
crouched down in the corner opposit,
the door and waited, resting the re
volver upon her knee.
There was someone just outside tn,
door now, and every nerve in he
slender body was trembling, but sh,
did not move and scarcely dared Il
breathe. Someone touched the latcl
of the door and ratified it and he
heart gave great jump. Then, from
behind the sand dunes she heard
familiar whistle, and she knew tina
her father was approaching.
The rafting of the latch ceased alb
ruptly and she heard a smothered ex
clamation through the thin walls. Il
another instant she heard fain
swishing sound as some one darte,
through the tall grass, and a momen
later Cornish's voice called to her.
Jumping up quickly she threw opel
the door and fell sobbing into he