The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-11

pidIty. II the woman's swift, intui-
tive part to discover hiding places the lean
Jakes to discriminate in values; Big Ben's with
nippers and hammer and screwdrtver. to rip off
brasswork, to open drawers. to rend and tear and
splinter If need be Within incredibly short space
'of they had the skif piled high with the rich
est and the best which the houseboa had contained
then they spread the tarpauln over their plumber
and disposed their punches of celery that the
green leaves protruded In a fringe from under the
edge of the tarpau in: then the heavily laden skif
with its four passengers and Its loot, wormed Its
way clumsily from amid the barges looking like an
innocent farmer boat
The sun. a golden ball In the eastern mist,
looked down upon harborage busy with the pur-
OF the little runaway bride Henri and Marie
swishing swiftly: Ned and Bobbie and Iris
leaving the dock In Boobies speedy little crus-
err; Honoria Bye and the well known and justly ia
nous private detective Riil Wolf were putting out
into the river in the Eagle Eye Detective agency's
steam yawl. its stoveppe stack rolling black smoke
and cinders and hot sparks back over the already
blackening passengers: Gilbert Bye and the heavy
lidded Edwards were just leaving the Hilarity in
the keen little racer: Cunningham had been slow
and below decks when they put off. but he followed
now In the cutter. The racer and the cutter speed
ed straight for the point around which June had dis
appeared. Tommy Thomas waved a scarf after
them and shouted absurd instructions to them, but
Mrs Willard stood quietly by the rail- her eyes fixed
Senberly that distant point
Slowly June raised from her crouching position.
The cling OF the small boat which she had sighted
seemed to be fainter rather than more distinct 1t
was fading into the distance when she looked, and
from its red stern she knew that 1t was not one OF
the Harity's boats. Once more she breathed a sigh
OF relief but even she did she heard familiar
sound-the siren whistle OF the Hilarity's cutter
And IL was near!
Frantically she scanned the shore. There
was anoeher inlet just ahead Of her. and In despera
ton she steered into II. 1t was a narrow but dis
tinct channel. winding about amid tangie OF shrub
berry and marsh grass and stunted trees with here
and there a larger tree rising from mound OF
solid earth. There high banks presently and
then tiny island, In the center OF which was de-
crepit hut June about to step ashore when
she heard the low purring Of a motor. The cutter
From the sudden shut-in-ness OF the sound It had
entered the inlet In terror June jumped back into
the boat. The hut seemed deserted. There was no
smoke rising from the chimney and one to protect
her II she were found there alone She was away
IN a FASH circling the island From the other side
she saw that the channel led away into the marshes
probably to another inlet, and she had started to
dart down this lonely waterway when suddenly she
sped q rope trailing ont into the water from under
some bushes matted with marsh weeds The whir
OF the motor rapidly advancing: She could
scarcely hope to escape unseen. Her wits sharp
ened by her peril, she steered with swift decision
toward the overhanging bushes. They parted as her
PROV into them. and bending low, she found
herself shot into entire conceament The whir Of
the approaching motor grew loud Quick as fash
June reached for the telltae rope which had be-
trayed this hiding place and drew It under cover Of
the matted bushes
Louder and louder grew the whir II was Just
upon her With her heart beating that her ears
were full Of the sound Of 1t June peered out through
her leafy screen Orin Cunningham! He circled the
island in his swift little cutter his keen eyes search
ing everywhere. He passed within ten feet Of her!
She held her breath lest he might hear It. and once
as his eyes turned full In her direction and she
hn Ind tufv her cf.c
she almost screamed.
He passed on, however. and. running his light lit
tie boat ashore stepped out and went mp to the hut,
the only possible place OF concealment on the island