The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-10-25
.You-you@" sputtered Sebastian.

right, and she'll put it across unless
we do something. Ever hear of her
friend, Bob Hamilton?"
"Confound you, what do you want"
'Have your friend Bob to lunch be-
fore you start for the ground. II he
gets taken sick ut your house every
thing will come out all right. Hey!
Cut out the questions. I'll attend to
the rest of the business. Good-by."
Bob Hamilton was in high spirits at
the luncheon, and Sebastian showed
all the graciousness of which he was
capable.
Navarro poured out two liquor
glasses of cordial. Bob raised his to-
ward Leontine.
ITO successful flight, madame"
he said smiling.
| "Queer taste to that stuft," said Bob.
"Pretty strong. though"
at is strong" said Sebastian smil-
ing. my friend must have been jok-
ing when he told me it was like light
wine. Well, think hear the auto
ut the door,"
He went out. Leontine and Bob
were together. The girl looked in
astonishment at Bob's flushed face.
IT guess we'd better be-starting,"
said Bob, with something of an ef-
fort. He was watching her in per-
plexity. "COme along" he said Of
fering her his arm. Only he offered
1t to space, beside her. He put his
hand to his head.
~ guesh that cordial-pretty shtrong
shtuff," said Bob.
"Mr. Hamilton! What is the mat
teri" asked Leontine, as he swayed
and clutched at the table.
Sebastian appeared In the doorway.
cool and suave as before. "We're
ready" he said. Ready, Leontinef
Mr.. Hamilton7 Why-aren't you feel
ing well?"
I'm all right" muttered Bob thick
ly. "Pretty-shtrong shtun-"
He tumbled forward on the floor.
Telephone the doctor! Quick |" in
sisted Leontine.
Sebastian ran TO the telephone in
the hall. Leontine kneeled beside Bob
Hamilton, who opened his eyes aud
looked at her in a dazed way.
"Oh. what II the matter" she
cried.
"wine-drugged." said Bob thick
ly. "Not old Sebastian's fault.
Butler bribed, perhaps. Rivals hate
my balloon"
"Never mind the balloon. Mr.. Ham
ilton." cried Leontine. half crying.
Bob struggled up on the lounge. Out.
side Leontine could hear Sebastian
telephoning. And she knew instructive
ly that he had drugged the cordial.
Listen" muttered Bob. sitting up.
"If u can't go-you must go with my
man Avery. Promise me- Madame Ma
varre."
"Oh, I can't go up-Tm not think
ing Of that at ALL" said Leontine.
"You must. You must start at once.
Promise me-" persisted Bob.
II promise, then." said Leontine.
I'm all right now" said Bob. try
ing to rise as Sebastian came in. "Im
going-take you"
Nonsense" said Sebastian. hurry
ing forward. "We must take care of
you until you are better, Mr.. Hamil-
ton"
Bob leaned against the lounge and
shook his head. mo. Got to go up
in the balloon" he said.
At that moment the doctor entered.
He was Spaniard, a crony Of Sebas-
tian's, and Leontine knew that she
would get no help from him. He made
swift examination of the patient.
"What is it7" Sebastian asked.
II should say" said the doctor
suavely. "that this gentleman has
been dining not wisely. but too WELL"
'Nonsense!" exclaimed Leontine an
griIy. "Mr. Hamilton has been
drugged."
The doctor looked at her quizzically.
"Of that, madame. you are the only
possible judge" he answered.
She looked Mt Sebastian defantly.
He opened his mouth as IL to speak;
then turned away and shrugged his
shoulders again.
With some show Of feeling he assist
ed Bob into the auto and watched 1t
roll away.
Leontine had a curious sense of
personal recognition when she met
Avery at the grounds.
They were a little late, for the 9TH
er balloons were ready to begin the
flight. A long line of the giant spheres
filled the grounds, and an immense
crowd pressed and jostled about them.
Suddenly Leontine saw a sight
which sent a shiver through her. Not
far away among the crowd, were her
husband and the woman Blanca.
Then Leontine perceived another
thing which added to her disquietude.
Approaching her car was the little
crook Louie. the man whom she had
carried to her home after the attack
L " LIZ