The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-01-22
CHAPTER LII.

in this sparsely settled portion of sub
urban Los Angeles seemed almost
crippled. Everything passed it-even
horse-drawn vehicles.
And one horse in particular kept al
ways on ahead. This horse was An.
nette Ilington's.
There were four people in this car
and three of them were waiting for
the inevitable to happen. They crept
on and on-always two hundred yards
behind.
"Ah!" exclaimed Hernandez finally,
ut eats In"
He was quite right. Suddenly the
horse ahead swerved sharply to one
side, violently shook it's head and neck
-leaped frantically into the air, and
then, with a violent burst of speed,
tore down the road like fire.
Hernandez increased his speed to
twenty miles-to twenty-flve-bu the
horse tore on before him. Annette
was riding like the wind-but she had
lost control.
Joe, in the car behind, leaped to
his feet and tried to force his way
from the car. Let me out" he cried,
struggling; II got her into this, and
I'll get her out"
Hernandez turned to the Brute.
Hold him." he commanded. And the
Brute obeyed.
Inez Castro now was on her feet.
| "Look-look-look," she cried, "the
horse is mad-he'll kill her-look-
ah-ah-"
| 1t was all over In one final burst
of frenzy the horse had leaped high
in the air. and come down on all fours,
not on the solid road, but in the ditch.
Annette was flung violently from her
steed-and struck the ground with a
| thud. The horse freed of his burden,
sped on-up the road-sped on.
Hernandez stopped his car. Joe
leaped out and ran to Annette.
She's killed." he said,
Hernandez followed him. "Ifso, we
cannot help it, he returned calmly.
"If she's killed, did it, you black
guard cried Joe, remorsefully.
Inez bent over the girl. "She's not
dead" she said, she's very much
alive. She's only stunned"
Hernandez motioned to the Brute.
Garry her to the car" he commanded.
And the Brute again obeyed.
Now, slowly" commanded Inez of
Hernandez, until I revive the girl"
They were in open country now
the community was but sparsely set
tied. Hernandez glanced warily from
side to side.
1--WE must make haste" he unused,
taking a grass-grown road to the
right.
He stopped the car before house.
1t was an ordinary dwelling. There
was no sign of life about it. The
grass in the dooryard was a foot high.
Everything appeared unkempt. But
in the parlor window was sign: To
let, furnished Hernandez stepped in
to the dooryard and peered into the
windows.
well let it urnished-free-for
short time he said.
He forced the door and entered.
"All the comforts of home" he said,
smiling, fetch in the girl"
Back in the city, Neal, off duty once
again, sought Annette at her hotel.
"Shes gone again-alone," said Mrs
Hardin, ''she would go. She's so rest
less she couldn't sit still"
Neal smiled. He was not worried
He got saddle horse and started
off in the direction taken by Annette.
Back i'll the deserted furnished
house. Hernandez sstill looked about
him.
I'VE can hide here till doomsday,"
he laughed, running water, too. Look
here. Everything but food-every-
thing. Look-yonder on the mantel-
even pen and ink This place was
meant for u.s." He bowed low. "Ah,
my charming friend Senorita ling
ton," he said to Annette who had re-
covered consciousness and was star
ing about her in establishment, you
have had long sleep-and pleasant
dreams l hope"
He drew down the shades and
switched on the light.
"See," he added, you have slept
till evening pretty sluggard. And
how is your good health. No bones
broken That is WE'LL
Annette did not answer. Suddenly
she leaped to her feet.
"Joe," she cried, Joe Welcher-you
here?'
YES" returned Hernandez, again
bowling, Joe is here-he has always
been herewith us. Joe is our good
friend. We owe him much-much.'
He turned sneering smile on Wei
cher. Annette uttered an exclamation.
"Joe-Joe," she cried, lis it-true?"
Joe turned away-his chest heavlng,
his eyes upon the floor. Jaw, I'm no
good" he muttered.
Never mind, Joe, fair one," said
Hernandez, taking from his pocket a
legal document already carefully pre-
pared, 1--WE have business at hand
This document-you should really
know what it contains. 1t is in proper
shape, l assure you. A bit soiled per-
haps, from long disuse in my breast
pocket-but we'll worded. LookAit is
complete It is even acknowledged