The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-30


 ing of asking a very daring request, Mrs. Navarro" he said
 Don't be afraid" replied Leontine, laughing.
 You know each balloon is to carry pilot and passenger. The passen- ger who was to have accompanied me my sister-in-law, backed out yester- day. How would you like to come, Mrs. Navarre?"
 q should love it." said Leontine en- thusiastically.
 May we regard it as settled" per sisted Bob.
 If my husband doesn't object" said Leontine. "Oh, no, I don't believe he will"
 "Why, there is Senor Navarro !" ex- claimed Bob Hamilton suddenly turn ing. Following his look, Leontine per ceived her husband, accompanying a fashily dressed woman of singular beauty-in fact, Blanca.
 Sebastian had accepted Bianca's in- vitation to motor out to the grounds, in spite of the knowledge that his wife would be there. His infatuation for Blanca had grown steadily. Now, see ing himself observed, he left her and came to Leontine rather sullenly.
 Sebastian, Mir. Hamilton wants me to be his passenger in the balloon flight next week." said Leontine. Shall I?'
 By all means, if you wish," an- swered Sebastian, mentally comput- ing the chances of an accident.
 She looked about her while the two men engaged in conversation. Her eyes fell upon a sportily clothed man of middle age, who, leaning against rope, was watching the grounds. Leontine started She recognized the man. It was the little crook, Louis 1 Lamb, or One-Lamp Louie.
 Another man had recognized One Lamp Louie. This was Avery, Mir. Hamilton's assistant in the shed, sinister-looking individual-in fact, one of those typical hangers-on of all athletic and sports meetings. He stared at Louie in astonishment; then he flung the flag of his cigarette away and went up to him.
 Hello, One-Lamp" he said easily. Don't you remember your old pal Avery who did time with you three years agOT
 Louie gazed at him duly. T never saw you in my life before," he an- | swered.
 And while Avery, completely taken aback, stared at him, Louie sauntered away through the thinning crowds in the direction of the roadhouse. Since Louie had received the blow on the head from a falling beam in the cabaret fire, he had had no memo ries whatever of his past life. Another man upon the grounds had recognized Louie. This was Romanoff, Bianca's chief accomplice. Romanoff knew all about Louie.
 He followed Louie to the roadhouse and waited while Louie tossed down glass of whisky. The little crook came out and glanced cautiously about him. and then made his way toward a se- cluded spot in the bushes near by. Romanoff crept stealthily after him. He saw Louie leaning against tree, counting out his bills. Romanoff drew revolver from his pocket and sprang.
 The butt descended on Louie's head. With fearful cry Louie tumbled pros trate among the trees. Romanoff snatched the wallet from his hand and disappeared through the undergrowth.
 A moment later the car containing Leontine and Bob Hamilton came from the grounds. What was that?" exclaimed Leon tine, laying her hand on her compan- ions arm.
 Bob stopped the car and sprang into the road. A faint moaning was heard among the bushes at one side. He pushed the overhanging shrubs apart and came upon Louie, half-conscious, with a gaping wound in his head. Looking up, he saw that Leontine had followed him.
 "Why, its-it's Louis Lambw ex- claimed Leontine. suddenly remember ing the little mans name.
 "He must have been Slugged. Wed better take him to hospital" sug- gested Bob.
 "No!" cried Leontine. Take him to my home."
 But, Mrs. Navarro" protested Bob.
 T mean just that. MT. Hamilton" said Leontine. Sebastian, returning later in the afternoon, was vaguely conscious of a stir in the apartment. Entering Leon- tines boudoir, he discovered his wife seated beside the couch on which lay the figure of man.
 Nothing happened to Hamilton?" he asked, hurrying forward. The. look in his wife's eyes fright ened him. He advanced to the side of the couch. To his horror he found