The Carlisle independent., 1917-08-30

"Confound you, what do you want?" Have your friend Bob to lunch be- fore you start for the ground If he gets taken sick at your house every thing will come out all right. Hey! Cut out the questions. I'll attend to the rest of the business. Good-by."
 
 Bob Hamilton was in high spirits at the luncheon, and Sebastian showed all the graciousness of which he was capable.
 Navarro poured out two liquor glasses of cordial. Bob raised his to- ward Leontine.
 ITO a successful flight, madame" he said smiling.
 Queer taste to that stuff" said Bob. Pretty strong, though
 Tt is strong" said Sebastian smil- ing My friend must have been jok- ing when he told me it was like light wine. Well. I think I hear the auto at the door,
 He went out. Leontine and Bob were together. The girl looked in astonishment at Bob's flushed face.
 'I guess we'd better be-starting," said Bob, with something of an eff fort He was watching her in per plexity Come along" he said of- fering her his arm. Only he offered it to space, beside her. He put his hand to his head.
 T guesh that cordial-pretty shtrong shtuff," said Bob.
 MT. Hamilton! What is the mat ter?" asked Leontine, as he swayed and clutehed at the table.
 Sebastian appeared in the doorway. cool and suave as before. "We're ready" he said. Ready, Leontine? Mir. Hamilton? Why-aren't you feel ing well?"
 I'm all right" muttered Bob thick ly. "Pretty-shtrong shtuff-"
 He tumbled forward on the floor.
 Telephone the doctor! Quick i' in- sisted Leontine. Sebastian ran to the telephone in the hall. Leontine kneeled beside Bob Hamilton, who opened his eyes and looked at her in a dazed way.
 "Oh, what is the matter?' she cried.
 "Wine-drugged," said Bob thick ly. Not old Sebastian's fault. Butler bribed, perhaps. Rivals hate my balloon"
 Never mind the balloon, MT. Ham ilton," cried Leontine, half crying.
 Bob struggled up on the lounge. Out, side Leontine could hear Sebastian telephoning. And she knew instinctive- ly that he had drugged the cordial.
 Listen" muttered Bob, sitting up If can't go-you must go with my man Avery. Promise me, Madame Na- varre."
 "Oh, I can't go up-Pm not think ing of that at alI," said Leontine.
 You must. You must start at once. Promise me-" persisted Bob.
 "I promise, then" said Leontine. I'm all right now" said Bob, try ing to rise as Sebastian came in. "Tm going-take you"
 Nonsense" said Sebastian, hurry ing forward. we must take care of you until you are better, Mir. Hamil- ton"
 Bob leaned against the lounge and shook his head. "No. Got to go up in the balloon" he said.
 At that moment the doctor entered. He was a Spaniard, a crony of Sebas- tian's. and Leontine knew that she would get no help from him. He made swift examination of the patient.
 What is it?" Sebastian asked.
 'I should say" said the doctor suavely. that this gentleman has been dining not wisely, but too we'll"
 "Nonsense!" exclaimed Leontine an- grily. "Mr. Hamilton has been drugged.'
 The doctor looked at her quizzically. Of that, madame, you are the only possible judge" he answered.
 She looked at Sebastian defantIy. He opened his mouth as if to speak; then turned away and shrugged his shoulders again.
 With some show of feeling he assist ed Bob into the auto and watched 1t roll away.
 
 Lecntine had a curious sense of personal recognition when she met Avery at the grounds.
 They were little late, for the oth- CT balloons were ready to begin the flight. A long line of the giant spheres filled the grounds, and an immense crowd nreSSed and joStled ahout them
 Suddenly Leontine saw sight which sent a shiver through her. Not far away among the crowd were her husband and the woman Blanca.
 Then Leontine perceived another thing which added to her disquietude. Approaching her car was the little crook Louie, the man whom she had carried to her home after the attack on him. He was coming straight to-