Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-05-08
BY Howard p. Hockey
Copyrigbf 1914 Howard y. Rocky

The detective, with every reason to
feel safe as to the security of his
prisoner, and conscious of the per-
suasive power of the revolver in his
pocket, had readily consented to the
suggestion, as this made it possible
for them to reach Scotland Yard be-
fore daylight. Now, however, an acct
dent that he had not counted upon
prevented their going on, and he be-
gan to feel vaguely uneasy, fearing
the wrath of his chief, who was even
then impatiently awaiting the arrival
of the prisoner.
Whats wrong?" the detective
called out to the chauffeur. Cant
you fix her."
AS he shouted through the rain, the
second car drew up beside the stalled
machine and Cornish put his head out
of the window. "Can we be of any
assistance ?" he asked solicitiously.
at would be very good of you, if
you would have your man look over
the car" the detective answered
gratefully. But before he could say
another word, violent push sent him
through the half open door of his
own machine, and he pitched head
long into the wet and mud of the road.
And as he lay sprawling upon his face
in the filthy ooze, his companion
leaped lightly over his body and
climbed into the machine opposite.
A sharp word of command, loud
chug-chugging, and the heavy car
shot away, disappearing completely
in the darkness. Safe inside it, Adele,
laughing gleefully, made a place for
herself between her father and Sir
Henry. "Oh, what a lark, dad" she
exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
Didn't he look funny scrambling
around in all that mud-poor fellow"
Don't worry about him. Cornish
advised. He'll get quite jolt when
he realizes what has happened, but
the lark is still ahead of us. Did you
put oil on the license tag?" he asked
the chauffeur. Good. With the roads
in this condition the number won't be
decipherablc inside of 10 minutes"
They were running forward now
with the speed of a locomotive, and
the lights of the houses in little towns
they dashed through faded away like
ghost cities, so quickly did the car
pass them, in spite of its weight and
size the car rocked frightfully as it
sped on madly, and now and then as
they struck long, even stretch Of
roadway, it gained an even greater
impetus.
THAT chauffeur's a corkerw Cor
nish said with satisfaction. "He can't
speak a word of English, but he can
understand it and he isn't afraid Of
the devilw
Huddled on the floor of the car
cramped and uncomfortable in the
bonds. Harcourt heard their words
and wondered what on earth was be-
ing done to him. He recognized their
voices, but puzzle it out as he might,
he could not satisfy himself as to their
purpose. Of course he had not known
of the detectives arrival, nor did he
understand how Adele had happened
to join them on the lonely road, and
now, as he stirred uneasily at her feet,
she looked down at him compassion
ately. In the darkness she could not
see his face, but she know that he
must be suffering from the strain of
his position.
dad couldn't we take the gag out
of his mouth and make him a little
more comfortable ?" she suggested.
"No," her father said grimly, "I'm
not taking any chances of his kicking
up row until get him safely aboard
the yacht. Then he can raise all the
hell he likes-it won't do him any
good"
"But if he should give us his word
not to attempt to escape ?" she urged.
"He won't-if we tell him what
we're doing-and if we release him,
We'll have to explain. There's neither
time nor use Of doing that now"
Cornish struck a match and looked
at his watch. 1t was after midnight,
but it would be nearly dawn before
they reached Southampton, barring
the chance of breakdown. Suddenly
he remembered that Adele was dressed
i'm male attire.
"Take off those clothes and get into
your own" he said to her. you'll
find your things in the bag beneath
your seat"
"Dadw she demurred, blushing as
she glanced through the darkness at
Sir Harry.
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