The Monticellonian., 1917-05-03

was Adams. He also was bound.
 The newcomers crowded around their leader, shouting and gesticulat- ing. "The Gringos-they are upon us." In their haste and alright they into n narrow tunnel.
 The eyes of Pearl and Adams met. Even in that tense moment he was smiling whimsically.
 She laughed in spite of herself. He had sense of humer and somehow she was glad.
 He eyed her dubiously. Miss Dare -hev y-you still got my belt on?"
 Your belt?" she echoed.
 He nodded. "Yes'm, my belt-the one Major Brent gave you to wear to- night"
 A worried look appeared in Pearls eyes. The matter of the belt had pug it or her seizure in any way with Ma jor Brent. Adams. awaiting her reply, noted her sudden abstraction.
 With increasing vehemence she swift ly reviewed the nights occurrences. She had explained rather blushingIy to herself that the majors visible em- barrassment in sending her on her se- cret mission was accounted for in the rivalry which had existed between Payne and himself and that he did not want to appear in an ambiguous light. She recalled now his insistence that she wear the belt so as to be armed, In spite of his assurances that she need have no fear. It was only natu- ral that she should wonde.. shout the source of Major BrentS 1rently sudden news in the Payne Xheth- CT the Bonn woman was Hui ill some way linked in it, and just where her fathers orderly came in, if the belt was really his. She concluded that the belt itself N, Id have to answer these questions.
 Adams who had not removed his gaze from her face, caught something of the working of her mind when she quickly raised her head and fxedly regarded a spot on the wall.
 "They hey t-taken the belt from you, liitg iiuil 11GJ ICN iilb IL away, hev they? Huh !'
 The mans divination startled her. "Yes!" she exclaimed, motioning with her head. Its up therel What is there about your belt, Adams? I de- mand to knowl"
 He appeared to be on the point of telling her when further conversation was made impossible for the time be- ing by what appeared to be an appa- rition emerging from the wall.
 It was Bolero, however, and his movements indicated haste. Without glancing at either, he opened the cache and took out the belt. 4 pistol shot rang out and the belt dropped. Completely surprised, Bolero stared open-mouthed into the barrel of Il re- volyer in the corded hands of Adams. In the next second he leaped aside, bowling. A second shot had grazed his scalp. A third followed in quick succession and he disappeared like shadow actually melting away.
 ''H0w m-much nerve hev you got?" Adams now inquired of Pearl in feassuring manner. II g=get one shot l left. 1 kin cut your wrist cords if you keep still as stone. I'd let you try it on me if l w-was sure l could toss the gun to you. I'm a straight shot. We've g-got to do something quick"
 l The confidence that he meant to in- still in Pearl came without hesitation. Her alarm of Adams came later.
 "Quick !" she responded. If she felt fear of consequences she did not re- veal it.
 Adams eyes shone.
 "Some girl" he murmured, delib- erately firing.
 The look upon her countenance as with freed hands she released herself was well worth the dangerous exhibi- tion of his skill.
 "Some shot!" was all she said, now releasing him.
 She offered the belt to him, yelling her intense interest In 1t.
 He fitted 1t snugly around his waist, felgning indifference to it.
 Inio htlt l-llllIs dili dHy Sbou dliN more" he stammered in his cool, drawing way, regarding the empty re volver. But Pearl noticed that he put it in the holster.
 Then began search for way to escape. A nasty inspection brought out the fact that they were In no ordi- nary place of confinement. It was clear at once that Bolero must have arrived and departed by secret pas sage and this they were unable to locate.
 Liberation, therefore, might be pos sible only through the tunnel.
 The area of the tunnel was narrow and cramped. They were obliged to stop and pick their way along an un- even footing There was no light ahead, and after proceeding a short distance complete darkness enveloped them. The atmosphere reeked of foul water somewhere near. Water itself was trickling toward them, and they came to sudden stop startled by rumbling noises. The earth quivered.
 Was that an earthquake shock ?'' asked Pearl, trembling.
 Adams gave her hand quick pres sure. Nom" The phenomenon was familiar one to him. 'Them's s-shells burstin'. There's an artillery action over our heads, wherever that may b-be. Gosh They're smelling the Granadians outa America !"
 T wish they would shell us out of 1 i,I