The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-22


the road, where the long grass was
trampled down.
The car stopped. One Of the occu-
through the trees. Two men were to
be seen running at top speed across a
little patch of open ground.
Come along, boys; we'll get 'em,"
called the sheriff.
He tossed a revolver to the man
nearest him. and, holding another in
his hand, started in the pursuit, fol-
lowed by all but the chauffeur.
The explosion in the shack was not
the only one which took place that aft
scale, and less impromptu, had been
planned to occur half an hour later,
within the new aqueduct tunnel which
was being blasted among the rocks.
The gang had departed, and the man in
charge of the blast was talking with
the foreman.
you'll let her go in three minutes"
said the latter. "I'll go to the road
and hold up any auto parties that's
coming round the bend. Time her"
He made on across the broken
ground as far as the edge of the woods.
There he saw a car coming slowly
along the road, the solitary chauffeur
peering through the trees intently, us
though following somebody.
"Hey! You there!" shouted the fore
man, holding up his hand.
The chauffeur, who had not heard
him, continued on his slow way.
You there!" yelled the foreman.
stop that machine! The blasts just
going off," And he began running to-
ward him. shouting 'dynamite!"
The chauffeur caught the word and
put on the brakes hard. He had had
enough dynamite that afternoon. He
pointed through the trees, and the hor-
rified foreman saw the party, led by
the sheriff, beating the bushes for the
fugitives.
There they arei" he yelled, as the
two crooks made their final dash across
the open space. Come along, boys.
Wen get them sure"
The Mortified foreman saw him dart
ing Immediately toward the tunnel, fol-
tourists. One of the crooks turned and
fired at random. The sheriff answered
him, and the pursuers closed in on the
pursued.
The foreman yelled loudest of all as
he turned to cut off the approach of
the party. Time was precious; the
three minutes must have hnlf gone.
Painting, the foreman caught up with
the sheriff fifty PAGES from the tunnel
entrance. Hey! Dynamite he
yelled, planting, himself in front of him.
turned and bolted at the top of his
speed. shouting and waving back the
party.
Within the tunnel the two crooks
were crouching. desperate men, but
armed and resolved to sell their lives
dearly. Suddenly with n roar that was
heard throughout the countryside, the
charge exploded. A ton of rock
smashed down from above. The earth
upheaved to receive what remained.
Sebastian had hurried homeward,
overcome with panic at Leontine's dis
appearance. For the first time he be-
| SuA " OcSpulE.
| He decided to prepare for flight.
| Suddenly, glancing into the mirror of
q cupboard, he jumped to his feet with
an oath. In the mirror was to be seen
the reflection of the window opposite,
and looking through the window were
the mysterious eyes that had haunted
him.
On the table beside him stood a
heavy glass water pitcher. Sebastian
stretched out his hand cautiously,
seized 1t, and hurled it through the
window, shattering the glass.
The eyes vanished. and a great dIa-
mond-shaped star appeared. Sebas-
tian left the library and went into the
little garden ut the rear of the house.
| AS he did so he caught sight of a
figure lodging behind tall syringa
bush.
| What do you want?" he shouted.
The man stepped forward u little
sheepishly. Il want to speak to you In
private-about your wife," he said
Sebastian hesitated; then he indi-
Gated to the man to follow him back
into the library.
'Well?" he demanded, swinging
round upon him.
| ''Well-er-Mr. Navarro, you are un-
der arrest" said the other. I'm going
to hold you till the police come" he
said.
You are not from the police"
"Tm acting for Mr.. Ravengar. That's
| enough"
Il understand" said Sebastian. MAY
l get my coat?"
The other nodded. and the two pro-
ceeded upstairs toward Sebastian's
bedroom. Sebastian took his coat from
the closet and, turning back, tripped