The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-06-22

uOnC KNOW the man. he would laugh
at the idea of plot against him."
Merkle dozed again, half buried in
the cushions. They had passed Jamai-
| ca, but it was not until it had swept
into the Motor parkway that the
chauffeur let the machine out. Over
the deserted plains it tore, cometlike,
meteor preceded by a streamer of
light. The causeway leaped into view
and vanished beneath the wheels, like
tremendous ribbon whirling upon
spools. Merkle lay back inertly, lolling
| and swaying to the side-thrust of the
cushions, but Lorelei found her fists
| clinched and her muscles hard with
the nervous strain. Finally she pushed
the shield forward, and, leaning over
the front seat, stared at the tiny dash
light. The finger of the speedometer
oscillated gently over the figure "6O,"
and she dropped back with a gasp.
They had been running thus for long
time.
Merkle reused to say, SIS this too
fast for you, Miss Knight"
She laughed nervously. "N-no. I'm
sorry L woke you"
Merkle inquired the time of his
chauffeur, then directed him to turn
homeward along the North shore.
81 Shan't be selfish and keep you
out any longer, Miss Knight" he said.
eff you don't mind, I'll doze on the
way in, and try to figure out the next
move in this Harmon affair"
The return trip was another HURTING
rush through the night, in a silence
broken only by Merkle's demand for
more speed whenever the machine
slackened it's labor. The miles wheeled
past; the Sound lay to the right
They were sweeping over rolling
North shore road when suddenly out of
blackness ahead blazed two binding
headlights. With startling abruptness
they appeared over the crest of rise;
Merkle's driver swung to the right.
The strange car held to it's course;
there was blast of horns, a dazzling
instant of intense illumination, then
a crash as the inside mud-guards met.
Merkle's car seemed to leap into the
air; there was a report of an exploding
tire; the automobile was bucking and
humping, as if the pavement had been
turned into a corduroy road; then it
came to a pause, half in the ditch.
The other car held to its course, and
whizzed onward, leaving in its wake
drunken shout of mockery and def
ance. ......
Marrow shave, that 1 wonder we
weren't all killed." Merkle eyed the
cars crumpled mud-guard and running
board, then directed his driver to as
certain the extent of the damage. The
motor was still throbbing, but brief
examination disclosed broken steer
ing knuckle and bent axle in addi-
ton to an injured wheel.
"I'm terribly sorry, Miss knight; but
I'll have to send for another car" apol-
ogized Merkle.
SIS this splendid machine ruined?"
He shrugged. "That's the curse of
these roads. Somebody is always driv
ing recklessly. Lorelei smiled at
memory of the miles they had covered
so swiftly; but she saw that he was
serious and in sour temper. zone
risks his life on the whim of some
drunken idiot the moment he enters
motor car. Now for telephone" A
terse question to his man served to fix
their location.
"We're not far from the Chateau"
Merkle interpreted the answer. ''That
place is always open, so if you don't
mind the walk we'll go ahead. 1t will
take an hour to get one of my other
machines. but meanwhile we can have
bite to eat" At her cheerful accept
ance his tone changed
you're all right Some women
would be hysterical after such shake
up. 1 swear, I think 1 feel it more
than you. If you were man I'd like
to have you for chum."
The Chateau was a quasi-roadhouse,
and, being within an hours run by mo-
tor, it received a liberal patronage.
Tips were large at the Chateau; its
hospitality was famous among those
who could afford the extravaganza of
midnight entertainment; and yet it
was a quiet place. No echo of what
occurred within it's walls ever reached
the outside world. Sea-food, waff1es,
and discretion were it's recognized spe-
cialties, and people came for miles
mainly in pairs-to enjoy them.
AS the pedestrians neared the ave
nue. of naples leading up to the house
they espied in the road ahead of them
| FIRST tha dull red glow of a tail light
then a dusty license plate.
There's luck" Merkle calculated.
"I'll rent this car"
In the gloom several figures were
standing, facing in the direction of the
Chateau, and when Merkle spoke they
wheeled as if startled.
mo, you can't hire this machine.
What do you think this is, cab
and?" answered a gruff voice.
|