The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-02-22
CHAPTER XVII.
Disappearance.

Seldom, perhaps, has a habitation
been so unceremoniously vacated as
was the solitary farmhouse on that
isolated island. Whitaker DELAYED
only long enough to place bill, bor-
rowed from Ember, on the kitchen
table, In payment for what provi-
sions they had consumed, and to ex.
tinguish the lamps and shut the door.
Ten minutes later he occupied a
chair beneath an awning on the after
deck of the yacht, and, with a blessed
cigar fuming in the grip of his teeth,
stared back to where their rock of ref
uge was swiftly blending into n small
dark blur upon the face of the waters.
"Ember"s he demanded querulously,
"what the devil is that place?"
"You didn't know?" Ember asked,
amused. at is No Mans Land"
I'm strong for its sponsors in bap-
tism. And the other-?"
"Martha's Vineyard. That's Gay
head-the headland with the light
house. OFF to the north of it. the
Elizabeth islands. If we're lucky,
Wen be at anchor off East Twenty
fourth street by nine o'clock tomorrow
morning. Any kick coming?"
"Not for me. You might better con-
sult-my wife," said Whitaker with an
embarrassed laugh. Look here: I've
told you how things were with us, in
brief; but I'm hanged if you've dis
gorged n single word of explanation
as to how you came to let Drummond
slip through your fingers, to say moth
ing of how you managed to find us"
"He didn't slip through my fingers"
Ember retorted. "He launched young
earthquake at my devoted head and
disappeared before the dust settled.
| came. to some time later with gag
In my mouth, handouts on my wrists,
behind my back, and rope round my
| legs. Midnight the following night,
the owner happened along and let me
| loose.
1T was easy enough to surmise
Drummond had some pal or other
working with him-I was slungshot-
ted from behind, while Drummond was
walking ahead. And two men had
worked in the kidnapping Of Mrs.
Whitaker. So went sleuthlng; traced
you as far as Sag HarbOr There /
| lost you-and there ] borrowed this
! outfit from a friend, an Old-time client
/ Of mine. We kept cruising, looking I'D
unlikely places. And, at that, we were
on the point Of throwing up the sponge
when 1 picked up a schooner that re-
ported signal fires on No Mans Land.
1 think that clears everything
up"
"Yes," said Whitaker sleeplly.
And so strong was his need Of sleep
/ that it was not until ten o'clock the
| following morning, when the yacht lay
at her moOring I'm the East river, that
Ember succeeded I'm rousng him by
main strength and goodwill.
His wife had gone ashore an hour
ago. after refusing TO listen To a sug-
/ gestion that Whitaker be disturbed.
I The note Ember handed him was brief.
\ but I'm Whitoker's sight emlnently ade-
I quate and compensatng.
Dearest Boy. I won't let them wake
/ you, but I must run away. It's early and
/ I must do some shopping before people
\ are about My house here is closed. Mrs.
/ Secrotan rs in Maine with the only keys
l aside from those al Great Wost Bay: and
/ I'm q positive fright I'm a coat and skirt
/ borrowed from the stowardess II don't
! want even you 60 sec me until I'm decent.
/ " dressed i shall put up ot the Waldorf:
/ come there tonight and we will dine to-
/ gether. Every fiber OF my being loves
\ you. MARY.
/ Whitaker took serene and shining
/ face TO the breakfast I'm the saloon.
/ under the eyes Of Ember. Toward
noon they parted ashore, each taking
"a taxicub To his lodgings. The under
/ standing was that they were to dine
togcther-ali three, Whitaker promis.
ing for his wife upon the morrow.
(rO BID CONTINUED)
Truth Unfgrreaf