Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-28

"Tll rent this car.
In the gloom several figures were
standing, facing in the direction Of the
Chateau. and when Mcrklc spoke they
wheeled rs if startled
"No. you can't hire this machine.
What do you think this is, a cab
standg" answered Il eruff voice.
"Iim!' cried Lorclci, and ran for
ward.
Her breathlcss amazement at the
meeting was no greater than her
brothers.. ISIS, What the devil are
YOU doing hcre?" he managed to say
One of the men who had been knoelins
over a case of some sort, dimly out
lined in the radiance Of side light.
rose and placed his burden in the ton
ncau.
I'm ready" he announced.
Young Knight showed some nerv.
BUSINESS and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
which his companions. judging by
their alert watchfulness, fully shared.
Jim seized his sister by the arm and
led her aside.
"How the deuce did You get here
and who is this guy?' He jerked hi:
head toward Mcrlile.
Lorelei introduced her companion
and made known the cause Of their
present plight.
"Humphw grunted Jim. "What
d'you suppose mail say to this-you
out all night with manf'
"What are you doing? Who arc
those pcople?" she retorted.
"Never mind But say--rdon't like
the looks Of this affair"
For second time Merkle appealed
to Jim. IF you can't take your sister
home I'll have to telephone for another
car"
Jim's tone was disagreeable as hi
replied. you two don't look as i
you'd been wrecked. Where's you
driyer?" Merkles fist clcnched HI
muttered something, at which jim
laughed harshly.
"Now don't get sore" said the lat
ter: I'm not going to make trouble
only | want to know where you'v
BEEN
A bareheaded man came running
across the lawn and flung himself int
the waiting automobile. One Of jim
companions called his name sharply
"Wil you take me home?' his sis
ter implored.
Cant do 1t. I'll see you later, AM
you, too, Merkle" His last words, de
llvered as he swung himself upon tn
running board of the car. sounded lik
threat a moment later, and the ma
chine had disappeared into the night
"Hm-m! Your brother has a sus
picious mind" Merkle said. II hop
he won't make you any trouble"
"He can't make trouble for me.
Lorelei's emphasis on the last wor
made her meaning clear; her compar
ion shrugged
"Then there's no harm done. | as
sure you"
/ They turned in upon the driveway
walking silently, then as they neare
the Chateau they became aware Of a
unusual connection In progress there
Men were running from stable to gal
age, others were securing the grounds
from the open door came vote
pitched high in anger. The speake
was evidently beside himself wit
wrath. He was shouting orders {
scurryng attendants. and abusing tn
manager, who lowered near him in
frantic but futile effort at pacific;
ton.
The enraged person proved to /
Jarvis Harmon. He was hates
purple-faced. shaken with combatiy
fury. At first the two newcomer
thought he was dangerously drum
bur. as they mounted to the tiled te
race which served as an outdoor ca
ting place they saw their mistake Re-
cgnizing Merkle, lannon's mannt
changed instantly.
",Tohnw he cried. 'By God! your
Just in time"
whats happenedW
"Blackmail, or worse, | hardly know
myself. These rutllans put up som
! thing on me--they're all in it. even IL
manager"
The latter, a sleek Frenchman wit
ferocious mustaches and frigiltene
eyes. wrung his hands in suppicatio
, "M'sleu 'Ammon," he bleated. 'yo
, ruin me. Such accusation is torrihl
But wait Calmness. The man wi
be caught"
trp BE cONTINUED)