The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-20

after that 1 was terribly afraid. could
feel myself going-taking leave of my
senses-and knew l must act if we
were not to follow that other. GodI
what a death.''
He paused, shuddered. and drew the
back of his hand across his eyes be-
fore continuing: so 1 cut on the igni-
ton and volplaned. Here-my hand
So-oI All right, eh?'
''Oh. I'm all right Lanyard insisted
confidently.
But his confidence was beIied by a
look Of daze, for the earth was billow-
ing and Keeling round him as though
bewitched; and before he knew what
had happened he had sat down hard
and was staring foolishly up at the
aviator
''Here!" said the latter courteousIy,
his wind-mask hiding the smile-''my
hand again, monsieur. And now for
| mademoiselle."
But when they approached the girl,
she surprised both by shivering, sit
ting up, and obviously pulling herself
together.
You feel better now, mademoi-
selle?" the aviator inquired. hasten
ing to free her from her fastenings.
I'm better-yes. thank you" she
admitted in a small, broken voice
'but not yet quite myself"
She gave a hand to the aviator, the
! other to Lanyard, and as they helped
her to the ground Lanyard, warned by
/ his experience, stood by with a ready
arm.
She needed that support, and for a
| few minutes didn't seem even con
scious of it Then, gently disengaging
herself. she moved a foot or two away.
Where are we-do you know?"
'On the South Downs somewhere? ''
Lanyard suggested. consulting Vauque-
| lin.
That is probable" this last at
| firmed- all events, reckoning by
the course I held. Somewhere well in
| from the coast, at a venture, for do
not hear the sea"
Near Lewes. perhaps?"
81 have no reason to doubt it"
An odd, constrained pause ensued.
The girl looked from the aviator to
Lanyard, then at neither-turned a
Lf1nS away LIOLl DOlu ANU ASLAOllLS
with fatigue and enforcing self-control
by clenching her hands. stared aim
| lessly of into the mist.
Painfully Lanyard set himself to
| consider their position.
| The Parrot had come to rest in
what seemed to be a wide, shallow,
saucerlike depression, whose irregu
lar bounds were cIoaked in fog. In
this space no living thing stirred save
those three; and as far as he could
| determine, the waste was crossed by
/ not so much as a sheep track In a
word, they were lost. There might be
a road running past the saucer ten
yards from its brim in any quarter
| There might not. Possibly there was a
town or village Immediately adjacent
Quite as possibly the downs billowed
away for miles on either hand, desc
late, unirhabited- From where they
were there was no means of telling
'Well-what do we do now?" the
girl demanded suddenly in a nervous
voice.
"Oh. we'll find a way out of this
somehow" Vauquelin asserted conf
IDENTIFY. England isn't big enough fol
anybody to remain lost IN it-not fol
long. at all events. Only, I'm sorry
we're not more sure of our where
abouts on Miss Shannon's account"
We'll manage somehow" Lanyard
affirmed stoutly.
The aviator smiled curiously. etc
begin with" he advanced, ct dare say
we might as we'll get rid OF these awk
ward costumes of ours. They'll ham
per walking-rather."
In spite of his fatigue, Lanyard was
so struck by the circumstances that he
couldn't help remarking it as he tore
off his wind-veil.
your English is wonderfully good
Captain Vauquelin," he observed.
The other laughed shortly.
"Why not?" said he, removing hi:
mask.
Lanyard looked up into his face
stared, gasped, and fell back a pace
''Wertheimer!" he exclaimed.
CHAPTER XXXIII.