The Spectator., 1916-05-05

Why not wait till MT. Jones re- turns?" she suggested patiently.
 And let the man 1 love die?" vehemently.
 At least you will leave word where you are going, Miss Florence"
 The Queen hotel And if you say another word I'll discharge you Come Susan"
 There happened to be taxicab con- veniently near Gas Vroon took care there should bel. and Florence at once engaged it. She did not see the man hiding in the bushes. The two young women stepped into the taxicab and were driven off. They had been gone less than five minutes when Jones re- turned with his purchase, to find the house empty of it's most valuable asset. He was furious, not only at the maid, who, he realized, was virtually help less, but at his own negligence.
 In the midst of his violent harangue the bell sounded. In his bones he knew what was going to be found there. It was letter on the back of which was drawn the fatal black mask With shaking fingers he tore open the en- velope and read the contents:
 Florence is now in our power. Only the surrender of the million will save her. Our agent will call in an hour for an an- Swer.
 THE BLACK HUNDRED.
 As matter of fact, they had wanted Jones almost as badly as Florence, but her desire for book-some popular story of the day-had saved him from the net. The letter had been written against this possibility.
 Jones became cool, now that he knew just what to face The Queen hotel meant nothing. Florence would not be taken there. He called up Nor ton. It took all the buffers patience, however, as it required seven different calls to locate the reporter.
 Meantime the taxicab containing Florence and Susan spun madly toward the water front. Here the two were separated by an effective threat Flor ence recognized the man Vroon and knew that to plead for mercy would be waste of time She permitted herself to be led to waiting launch. Always when she disobeyed Jones something like this happened But this time they had cunningly struck at her heart, and all thought of her personal safety became as nothing. For the present she knew that she was in no actual physical danger. She was merely to be held as a hostage. Would Susan have mentality enough to tell Jones where the taxicab had stopped? She doubted. In an emer- gency Susan had proved herself a nonertity, bundle of hysterical thrills.
 AS a matter of fact, for once Flor ence's deductions were happily wrong. When the chauffeur peremptorily de posted Susan on the lonely country road, several miles from home, she ran hot-foot to the nearest telephone and sent a very concise message home. Susan was becoming acclimated to this strange, exciting existence.
 Norton arrived in due time and he and Jones were mapping out a plan when Susan's message came.
 Good girl" said Jones. She's learning Can you handle this alone. Norton? They want me out of the house again, for I believe they were after me as we'll as Florence. Half an hour gone."
 Trust mel" cried Norton.
 And he ran out to his auto. It was a wild ride. Several policemen shouted after him, but he went on unmindful. They could take his license number a hundred times for all he cared. So they had got her? They could wait til their enemy's vigilance slacked and then would strike? But Susan, The next time he saw Susan he was going to take her in his arms and kiss I93s xs1esSa1,1