Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-11-06
CHAPTER TX,
A Stern Chase.

A Stern Chase.
Miss Irene Courtier, II such were
her name, rose from her couch In an
upper room In the Hardin cottage
with an agility that gave no hint of a
disabled ankle.
AT last she spied knot In one OF
the floor boards. She procured nail
file from her handbag and within a
few moments had removed the knot
from its containing hole. Then she
treated herself to view of the room
below
She perceived that celebration
was In progress. Upon the table was
a birthday cake with eighteen candles
In 1t, and about the table we're four
people. Annette, the center OF attrac-
ton; Neal and his mother and his
foster brother, Joe Welcher.
Mrs. Hardin stepped to a cupboard
and drew forth paper bundle. She
placed 1t on the table and by the light
of the eighteen candles she unwrapped
1t, exhibiting to Annette Ilington and
to the boys a set of childish garments,
a heavy leather bag, that clinked as
she laid ii down. and mysterious
looking yellow packet, sealed with red
sealing wax She unpinned from a
diminutive dress a piece of paper
which she read aloud.
The listener above started as the
note was read. It was a strange note
1T contained both a promise and a
warning
Look" said Annette suddenly, as
she examined her possessions, here
is locket."
In 1t there was picture of man,
my father" said Annette, 81 am
sure 1t is my father. Where is he
when will he come for me?"
Suddenly Welcher started forward.
Godfrey" he cried, did you hear
that"
Its a shot from small-bore gun"
said Neal. Come on, Joe Welcher,
lets go out and see"
The shot was the indirect result Of
the raid upon the gangsters of the
Side Pocket"
For an hour at least government
destroyer with United States revenue
officers aboard had patrolled the coast
waiting for the signal arranged as
per the unsigned bit of paper taken
from the coat pocket of Shorty.
The signal was a fash flare. The
destroyer waited for 1t. Suddenly an
officer held up his hand
There, close in shore"
A light flashed forth into the night
Now, we've got them where we
want them" said the officer Man
the launch and get away as quietly as
possible"
Meantime Hernandez and his two
companions, Ponto and the brute,
waited with the patience OF adventur-
ers for the replying signal They
were anchored in speedy motor boat
in small cove to the south OF Sea-
port. Receiving no answer to their
signal, they flashed another fare into
the darkness. Once more they were
disappointed. Suddenly Hernandez
sprang to the engine and turned 1t
over.
steer an even course down shore"
Hernandez cried to Ponto Keep out
of the open. If they press us we can
nd Iya
The commander of the destroyer
glanced through his glasses
"That's bad crowd" he said, "a
desperate bunch. Send up gunner.
] think I'll take a chance"
They sent up gunner and he took
a chance. The bow of the motor boat |
few into space. Hernandez and his
gang were plunged into sea.
With one accord Hernandez and his
two companions struck out for the
shore.
At the Hardin cottage, at the sound
Of the shot, Neal and Annette had
rushed forth with Joe Welcher a close
third.
Come on, joe" said Neal. stay
where you are, Annette"
But Annette, always venturesome,
insisted upon keeping them company.
They had not gone twenty PAGES when
happened There was a
sudden rush from down the road and
man, his breath coming quick and
asst, darted upon them, passed them,
Ind was away in an instant. But in
hat instant he had accidentally u by