Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-07-21

drunken shout or m0ckery ana Qen-
ance.
Marrow shave. that. wonder we
weren't all killed" Merkle eyed the
cars crumpled niud-guard and running
board, then directed his driver to as
certain the extent Of the damage. The
motor was still throbbing, but brief
examination disclosed broken steer
Ing knuckle and bent axle in add
tion to an injured wheel.
I'm terribly sorry, Miss Knight; but
I'll have to send for another car" apol-
ogized Merkle.
rs this splendid machine ruined"
He shrugged. That's the curse Of
these roads. Somebody is always driv-
ing reckessly. Lorelei smiled at
memory of the miles they had covered
so swiftly; but she saw that he was
serious and In sour temper. Zone
risks his life on the within Of some
drunken idiot the moment he enters
a motor car. Now for telephone" A
terse question to his man served to fix
their location,
We're not far from the Chateau"
Merkle interpreted the answer. That
place is always open, so II you don't
mind the walk well 60 ahead. 1t will
take an hour to get one of my other
machines. but meanwhile We can have
bite to eat At her cheerful accept
ance his tone changed.
You're all right Some women
would be hysterical after such shake
up. swear, think l feel 1t more
than you If you were man I'd like
to have you for a chum.'
The Chateau was quasi-roadhouse,
unsurpassed by any city restaurant,
and, being within an hours run by mo-
tor. 1t received a liberal patronage
TIPS were large at the Chateau; Its
hospitality was famous among those
who could afford the extravaganza OF
midnight entertainment; and yet 1t
was n quiet place. No echo of what
occurred within its walls ever reached
the outside world. Sea-fOod, waffies,
and discretion were its recognized spe-
clalties, and people came for miles
mainly In pairs-to enjoy them.
As the pedestrians neared the ave-
nue. of NAPLES leading up to the house
they espied in the road ahead Of them
first the duh red glow Of tail light
then dusty license plate.
There's luck" Merkle calculated.
"I'll rent this car"
In the gloom several figures were
standing facing In the direction Of the
Chateau, and when Merkle spoke they
wheeled as II startled.
mo, you can't hire this machine
What do you think this is, a cab
stand?" answered a gruff voice.
Jim cried Lorelei, and ran for
ward.
Her breathless amaZement at the
meeting was no greater than her
brothers.. isis. What the devil are
you doing here% he managed to say
One of the men who had been kneeling
over a case of some sort, dimly out
lined In the radiance Of side light
rose and placed his burden In the ton
neau.
I'm ready" he announced
Young knight showed some nerv
BUSINESS and apprehenslon-emotions
which his companions, Judging by
their alert watchfulness, fully shared
jim seized his sister by the arm and
led her aside.
How the deuce did you get here
and who is this guy?' He jerked his
head toward Merkle
Lorelei introduced her companion
and made known the cause Of theil
present plight.
"Humphw grunted Jim. What
d'you suppose mall say to this-you
out all night with man?'
what are you doing? Who are
those people?" she retorted,
NtNcl Hlilu. I'ut soy uoh iAN>
the looks of this affair"
For a second time Merkle appealed
to Jim. IF you can't take your sister
home I'll have to telephone for another
car"
Jim's tone was disagreeable as hi
replied. you two don't look as II
you'd been wrecked Where's YOU
driver?" Merke's fist clenched hi
muttered something at which jim
laughed harshly.
snow don't get sore" said the lat
ter; "Im not going to make trouble
only | want to know where you've
been"
4 bareheaded man came running
across the lawn and flung himself into
the waiting automobile. One of Jim's
companions called his name sharply
will you take me homer" his sis
ter implored
Cant do 1t. III see you later, ant
you, too Merkle" His last words, de
liyercd as be swung himself upon thu
running board of the car, sounded likt
a threat; moment later. and the ma
chine had disappeared into the night
Hmm! Your brother has q sus
picious mind Merkle said. Il hope
he won't make you any trouble
"Ie can't make trouble for me.
Loreleis emphasis on the last wore
made her meaning clear; her compan
ion shrugged.
"Then there's no harm done, as
sure you"
They turned IN upon the driveway
walking silently, then as they neare'
the Chateau they became aware Of az
unusual connection in progress there
Men were running from stable to gar
age others were securing the grounds
from the open door came v0ic,