The Arvada enterprise., 1917-01-25

At on ne:''
Mcrklc rolled his head loosely. you
don't know the man. He would laugh
at the idea of plot against him."
Mcrkle dOzed again. half buried in
the cushions. They had passed Jamai-
ca, but it was not until it had swept
into the Motor parkway that the
chauffeur let the machine out. Over
the deserted plains 1t tore. comctlike,
Il meteor preceded by a streamer OF
light. The causeway leaped into view
and vanished beneath the wheels, like
a tremendous ribbon whirlIng upon
spools. Mcrkle lay back inertly, lolling
and swaying to the sidethrust Of the
cushions, but Lorelci found her fists
! Clinched and her muscles hard with
the nervous strain. Finally she pushed
the shield forward, and. leaning over
the front seat, stared at the tiny dash
light. The finger OF the spcedometer
osclllated gently over the figure go"
and she dropped back with a gasp.
They had been running thus for n long
time.
Merkle reused to say, as this too
fast for you. Miss Knight?"
She laughed nervously. "N-no I'm
sorry | woke you"
Merkle inquired the time Of his
chauffeur, then directed him to turn
homeward along the North shore.
II shant be selfish and keep you
out any longer, Miss Knight" he said
"If you don't mind, I'll doze on the
way In. and try to figure out the next
move in this Hammon affair"
The return trip was another hurtling
rush through the night. in silence
broken only by Mcrkles demand for
more speed whenever the machine
slackened its labor The miles wheeled
past; the Sound lay to the right
They were sweeping over a rolling
North shore road when suddenly out Of
blackness ahead blazcd two binding
headlights. With startling abruptness
they appeared over the crest of rise
Mcrkle's driver swung to the right.
The strange ear held to its course
there was blast Of horns, a dazzling
instant OF intense illumination, then
a crash as the inside mud-guards met
Merkle's car seemed to leap into the
air; there was a report Of an exploding
tire; the automobile was bucking and
humping, as II the pavement had been
turned into corduroy road; then It
came to n pause, half in the ditch.
The other car held to Its course, and
wh!zzed onward. leaving In Its wake
drunken shout Of mockery and def
ance.
Marrow shave, that. I wonder we
weren't all killed" Mcrkle eyed the
cars crumpled mud-guard and running
board, then directed his driver to as
certain the extent of the damage. The
motor wns still throbbing. but n brief
examination disclosed n broken steer
ing knuckle and bent axle in add.
ton 70 an injured wheel.
I'm terribly sorry. Miss knight; but
I'll have to send for another car" npol-
ogized Merkle.
"ls this splendid machine ruined 2"
He shrugged. That's the curse of
these roads. Somebody is always drlv.
memory OF the miles they had covered
30 swiftly; but che saw that he was
serious and In n sour temper. lone
risks his life on the whlm OF some
drunken !Iiot the moment he enters
a motor car. Now for a telephone" A
their location
We're not far from the Chateau"
Nerkle interpreted the answer. That
place Is always open, SO II you don't
mind the walk We'll go ahead. II will
take an hour TO get one OF my other
machines. but meanwhile we can have
n bite to eat" At her cheerful accept.
ancc his tone changed.
you're all right. Some women
would be hystcrcal after such n shake.
up. | swear. think feel It more
than you. II you were n man I'd like
10 have you for n chum."
The Chateau was n quasi-roadhouse,
unsurpassed by any city restaurant,
and, being within an hours run by mo.
tor, It received liberal patronage.
! ! ll'N N'lt iai - NJ VIC 'utlelu, ll-
hospitality was famous among those
who could afford t:,s extravaganza o!
midnight entertainment; and yet I,
was n quiet place. No echo OF what
occurred within its walls ever reached
the outside world. Sca-food. wafllcs.
and discretion were It's recognized spe.
cIaltlcs. and people came for miles
mainly In paIrs-to enjoy them.
As the pedestrians ncnrcd the ave.
nue. Of naples leading up to the house
they csplod In the road ahead OF them
first the dull red glow OF tail Hight.
then dusty license plate.
There's luck" Mcrklc calculated.
"Ill rent this car"
In the gloom several figures were
standing, facing In the direction OF tho
Chateau. and when Mcrl.lc spoke they
wheeled ns II startled,
$50. you can't hire thIs machine
What do you think this Il, a cab
stand answered grur voice.
"JIm!" cried Lorclci. and ran for
ward
IL. I.,.,tN.a.