The Raymer enterprise., 1917-01-25

look changed swiftly to one Of horri- |
fed surprise. Over the top Of the Ivy
brick wall fanking the garage |
slowly appeared mans head and
shoulders. Then followed lean-fin-
gered hand clutchlng gllttering heavy |
callbered revolver.
She saw Legar raise the nIckeled
revolver and squlnt with deliberate
and careful aim over the sights. Be-
fore she could utter the cry of warn
Ing which was trembling on her lips
the revolver In Legar's hand was sud-
denly lowered and that malignant
faced outlaw slipped out Of sight.
The whlte-lipped girl saw that Le-
gar's hurried retreat was due to the
fact that at the moment he was about
to press the trigger Of that menacing
revolver a nveried chauffeur had
emerged from the garage pushing a
clumsy-looklng motorcycle. She saw
Davy, still In ignorance Of his near
approach to death. jump into the sad
die of the cumbersome affair, which
developed a surprising burst Of speed
us It : flashed down the drive and
veered sharply onto the macadam
highway.
Certain that the unrelenting master
criminal would not so readily relin-
qulsh his savage purpose Of exterml-
mating the young secretary, and more
anxious for Davy's safety than she
would admit even to herself. Margery
ran lightly to the broad veranda Of the
manor house and caught up the field
glasses which were kept hanging
against the wall. Sweeping the long
stretch OF highway with the powerful
lenses, she quickly picked Up the
straight young figure guiding the rae
Ing motorcycle. With sigh OF relief
she saw him nearing the crest Of that
ridgellke elevation called Seven Oaks
hill.
But as she was about to lower the
glasses she gave sudden exclamation
OF dlsmay. for the motorcycle slowed
down and came to stop Just on the
brow OF the hill. The khakI-clad rider
dlsmounted. and after searching
glanee about him, proceeded with some
difficulty to drag the heavy machine
over the stone wall, where II was ef-
fectually concealed from the view Of
any chance passerby. Then he struck
of along the top Of the ridge In the d.
rectian of the row OF stately trees
standing like sentinels guarding the
valley.
Even as Margery stood puzzllng over
the meaning OF these strange maneu-
sers. look OF startled apprehension
came into her eyes rs she saw group
Of sinister figures sinking along the
side of the road short distance below
the house.
She knew she must run as she had
never run before. II by taking adyan-
tage of shortcut she hoped to reach
Davy before that evil band of gunmen,
bent on his destruction.
Eut even as she was about TO burst
through the bushes fringing the high
way she heard the low murmur OF APP
preaching voices and realized her rcso-
lutte efforts had been In vain. Legar
and his fulsoine crew Of jailhirds had
outstripped her In that arduous race.
"IIe must be In back Of those rocks"
she heard Legar say in positive tones,
"and If We go out along the ridge he Is
going to plug couple of us before we
get him. The best way Is TO go down
the hill and circle around back Of him."
II flashed Iato the mind Of the hid
den eayesdropper that one chance yet
remained to save her fathers secre-
tary from a shower Of bullets fired
from ccwarhiy ambush. BY running
directly along the crest Of the ridge
she might still reach navy before the
band OF savage marauders. who were
seeking to creep up on him by more
cireultous route.
But at that moment the straggly
bush AT which she had clutched 10
steady her nrecarious footing sud-
denly uprooted In her hand, and.
finging up her arms In vain effort
10 rgnln her toppllng balance, she
went Jpltlng down The sharp decllvity
into the midst OF the astOaishei gun
men.
Get that she mountaln-goat and get
her quick" !" Legar stormed at his
vicious followers.
One Of the younger gangsters made
flying leap after the aglle girl. who
now had start OF several yards. As
she frantlcaly scrambled up the
broken slope. she could hear the heavy.
crupchins steps Of her pursuer coming
closer ana closer. She could hear the
profane encouragement shouted by I.e-
gar's men to their straining compan-
lon. Then. with the goal almost within
reach, her 0yertaxed strength COM
menced to fail. Her struggles became
weaker. and the world seemed clouded
with strange darkness. She heard
the sound of heavy breathing and felt
rude hand clutching at her arm.