Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-03-24
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 a bill, Dor
rOwed from Ember, on the kitchen
table. in payment for what proyi-
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 Tuning in the grip Of his teeth
stared back to where their rock of ref
uge was swiftly blending into a small
dark blur upon the face of the waters.
"Ember," he demanded Querulously,
''what the devil is that place."
You didn't knowT Embcr asked
amused. cit 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. OF 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 We're with US, in
brief; but I'm hanged if you've dis
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 nay devoted head AID
disappeared before the dust settled.
came 10 some time later with u 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 surmlse
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 sleuthing; traced
you as far as Sag Harbor. There
lost you-and there ! borrowed this
outfit from a friend, an old-tlme client
of mine. We kept cruising, looking up
unlikely places. And. at that we were
on the point Of throwing up the sponge
when l picked up schooner that re-
ported signal fires on No Mans Land.
/ think that clears everything
up"
Yes" said Whitaker sleepily.
And so strong was his need of sleep
that 1t was not until ten O'Clock the
following moraIas. when the yacht lay
at her moorinc 10 the East river, THAI
Ember succeeded in rousing 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.
The note Ember handed him was brief,
but in Whitaker's sight eninently ade-
quate and compromising.
Dearest Boy; won't let them wake
you. but must run away. It's early and
I must do some shopping before people
are about. Ny house here is closed. Mrs
Secretan is in Maine with the only KEYS
aside from those at Great West Bay. and
I'm a positive fright IN coat and sE.rt
borrowed from the stewar9ess I don't
want even you TO see me until I'm decent
ly dressed ! shall put up at the Waldorf;
coma there tonight, and we win dine to-
gether. Every hber OF my being loves
you. MARY.
Whitaker took a serene and shining
face to the breakfast in the saloon,
under the eyes Of Ember Toward
noon they parted ashore, each taking
a taxicab to his lodgings. The under
standing was that they were TO dine
together-all three Whitaker prouds-
Ing for his wife upon the morrow.
ITO BE CONTINUED
Truth Universal