Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-11-30
cAApTEa J.
A stern Chase.

-
Miss Irene .Courtier, II such were
her name, rosie from her couch In an
upper room in the Hardin cottage
with an agility that gave no hint of .
disabled ankle.
At last she spied a knot in n OF
the floor boards. She procured a nall
file from her handbag and within q
few moments had removed the knot
from its containing hole. Then she
treated herself to q view Of the room
below. =
She perceived that q celebration
was in progress. Upon the table was
a birthday cake with eighteen candles
In 1t, and about the table were four.
people. Annette. the center Of attrac.
ton; Neal and his mother and his
foster brother. Joe Welcher.
Mrs. Hardin stepped to a cupboard
and drew forth a paper bundle. She
placed 1t on the table and by the light
of the eighteen candles she unwrapped
It, exhibiting to Annette Ihngton and
to the boys a set Of childish garments.
a heavy leather bag, that clinked as
she laid it down. and a mylterious-
looking yellow packet. sealed with red
sealing wax. She unpinned from a
diminutive dress a piece of paper
which she read aloud.
The listener above started as the
note was read. 1t was a strange note
1t contained both q promise and a
warning.
) Look" said Annette suddenly. as
she examined her possessions, here
Is a locket."
In it there was a picture Of a man.
"My father" said Annette, II am
sure 1t is MY father. Where Is he
when will he come for me-"
Suddenly Welcher started forward.
Godfrey" he cried, did you hear
that"
ITS a shot from a small.bore gum"
said Neal. "Come on, Joe Welcher'
Tets go out and see" Z
The shot was the indirect result Of
the raid upon the gangsters Of the
side Pocket"
For an hour at least q government
destroyer with United States revenue
officers aboard had patrolled the coast
waiting for the signal arranged az
per the unsigned bit of paper taken
from the coat pocket of Shorty.
The signal was a flash fare, The
destroyer waited for it. Suddenly an
officer held up his hand.
There, close in shore"
A light flashed forth into the night.
Nov, we've got them where we
want Them" said the officer. Man
the launch and get away as quietly as
possible" l.
Meantime Hernandez and his two
companions, Ponto and the brute,
waited with the patience Of adventur.
ers for the replying signal. They
were anchored in a speedy motor boat
in a small cove to the south Of Sea.
port. Receiving no answer to their
signal, they flashed another fare into
the darkness. Once more they were
disappointed. Suddenly Hernandez
sprang to the engine and turned 1t
over.
steer an eve course down shore"
Hernandez cried to Ponto. Keep out
of the open. II they press us we can
land and make a getaway"
The commander Of the destroyer
glanced through his glasses.
"That's q bad crowd" he said, "a
desperate bunch. Send up a gunner.
l think I'll take q chance"
They sent up a gunner and, he took
a chance. The bow Of the motor boat
| few into space. Hernandez and his
gang were plunged into sea.
With one accord Hernandez and his
two companions struck out for the
shore.
At the Hardin cottage. at the sound
| Of the shot, Neal and Annette had
rushed forth with Joe Welcher q close
third.
"come on, joe" said Neal. "sta,
where you are. Annette"
But Annette, always venturesome
insisted upon keeping them company
They had not gone twenty PAGES when
something happened. There was 9
sudden rush from down the road and
fa man, his breath coming quick and
fast, darted upon them, passed them
and was away in an instant. But IN
that instant he had accidentally or by