Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-12-03
A Hold.un.


The captain or the cruiser Albany
had his men scour the country round
about, but-as had ever been the case
with Hernandez and his nimble-footed
erew-without result
AT any rate" ne said, THE rascais
have run away-they've probably
shown US their heels for all time. You
go to Chantillo. Miss Ilington. You
take that one-horse train here-weu
escort you to the train. Over at
Chantillo lies the Missouri, a first
class battleship. I'll give you a note
to her commander He'll see you safe
on board the South California boat :"
Neal and small guard of marines
constituted Annette's escort.
Annette laughed when she saw the
station-laughed more when she saw
the train. 1t consisted of the sorriest
engine she had ever seen-also the
most diminutive and battered coach.
Look here,'. said Neal to Annette,
come inside the station. / want to
show you something"
Annette knew inside she
broke down and cried like a child.
Its good-by now. Neal" she said.
Il don't know what I'm going to do
without you. feel like
almost going back :"
by George" said Neal. 81 wish
but no. You'll stick it out I
know you will. I'm sure. But, if it's
"Look-SeeI" ExcIarneu rnc Erure.
tough on you-think of me. feel like
chucking up my job -
A tin horn blew outside. "W-what's
that?" cried Annette.
Mrs. Hardin and Joe Welcher rushed
into the station "The train-the
train they cried.
They were quite right. The engi
neer was already pulling his rusty lev
er. The train actually was starting
up, stationary though it had seemed.
go ahead little one," said Neal,
good luck"
Half mile farther down the track,
out of the jungle crept two figures
each with gun in hand, each with a
black mask upon his face. Across the
track they piled tree or two-these
trees had been plucked up by the roots
by one of these masked men.
After completing this self-appointed
task, they crept back into the jungle
and waited patiently.
Finally one of the men prodded the
other. Now" he commanded, here
she comes"
A faint tin horn whistle was heard
around the curve. The fast mail of
approached, but seeing the obstruc-
ton on the track, she hesitated, halted,
came to full stop. The two masked
men leaped upon the engine and held
up the crew with their ever-ready
guns.
Hernandez stepped into the car be-
hind. He fired three shots. He aimed
at no one. The shots had their eff
fect-on two persons at least. Joe
Welcher ducked at once. Mrs. Har-
din followed suit No one was hit.
Annette alone retained her nerve.
so" she said fearlessly, its you
gain. And where is your charming
friend. Miss Irene Courtier?"
Brute" cried Hernandez, throwing
off his mask, bring those two men
here.
The Brute brought them. Take the
bell cord said Hernandez to the
train crew, and tie this young girl
up"
Hernandez, still with his gun on
guard bent over the girl He nlunoad
his hand into her breast, and with q
jerk tore the chamois bag from her
neck.
I'll tie this man myself" said Her.
nandez, approaching Joe Welcher. He
leaned over Joe, and wound some cord
loosely about his hands.
I'll need you," he whispered, but
make no mistake. Mistakes are fatal
when I'm around"
He left the Brute on guard and
marched the crew back to the engine.
How near are we to the nearest sta
ticn?" he queried, tell me truth"
Not for miles, senor." they gasped,
only little farther on in deserted
station. Montrada. No trains stop
there. It is discontinued"
ANY occupants?" queried Herman
DEE.
Monet is deserted. 1t is even
haunted, senior"
How-haunted?"
Something there goes click-click
--click-click-always when we pass -
ITO Pc Conttnned