Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-13
CHAPTER TX.
a So chase.

her name. rose from ner 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 a nail
fle 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 a 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 II on the table and by the light
of the eighteen candles she unwrapped
it, exhibiting 10 Annette Ilington and
to the boys a set of childish garments.
a heavy leather bag. that clinked as
she laid It down. and a 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. 1t was 4 strange note
1t contained both promise and a
warning.
Look" said Annette suddenly, as
she examined her possessions, here
is a locket"
In it there was picture of man,
MY father" said Annette, Il am
sure it is my father. Where is he
when will he come for me?"
Suddenly Welcher started forward
Godfrey he cried, did you hear
that"
IT'S a shot from a 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 a 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 flash fare The
destroyer waited for It. 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 a speedy motor boat
in a small cove TO the south Of Sea
port. Receiving no answer to their
signal. they dashed another fare into
the darkness. Once more they were
disappointed. Suddenly Hernandez
sprang to the engine and turned it
over.
Steer an even course down shore"
Hernandez cried to Ponto Keep out
OF the open If they press US we can
land and make getaway"
The commander of the destroyer
glanced through his glasses.
That's a bad crowd he said. a
desperate bunch Send up a gunner.
l think I'll take a chance"
They sent UP a gunner and he took
a chance. The bow of the motor boat
flew 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 aud 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
something happened. There was a
sudden rush from down the road and
a man, his breath coming quick and
fast, darted upon them. passed them,
and was away in an instant. But in
that instant he had accidentally or by
design brushed violently against An
nette and Knocked her down
Neal raised her to her feet and then
beside himself with anger dashed after
this reckless individual up the road
Look. look" cried Annette, what
IS this thing coming here?"
This thing, as Annette called it,
came on by leaps and bounds. with
hands that wildly waved about its
body and above its head as it>sped
along 1t was a figure, gigantic, fear
ful. Welcher shuddered.
The huge creature stopped short in
his tracks and stared at Annette
stupefled and fascinated.
The sharp crack of revolver shots
brought him to himself. he looked
behind him Annette following his
saze saw figures rushing up the road
way. The brute leaped up and with a
huge bound rushed up the road and
disappeared.
An officer followed by handful Of
sailors from the launch followed the
,rute up the road.
CTo Be Continued)