The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1917-03-09
CHAPTER XVII.
DiSappearance,

disappearance.
Seldom, perhaps, has a habitatiOn
been so unceremoniously vacated as
was the solitary farmhouse on that
isolated island. Whitaker delayed
only long enough to place a bill, bor-
rowed from Ember, on the kitchen
table. in payment for what provi-
sions they had consumed, and to ex-
tinguish the lamps and shut the door.
Ten minutes later he occupied
chair beneath an awning on the after
deck OF the yacht, and, with blessed
cigar Tuning in the grip Of his teeth.
stared back to where their rock of ref
uge was swiftly blending into a small
dark blur upon the face of the waters.
"Ember," he demanded ENORMOUSLY,
what the devil is that placer
you didn't know?" Ember asked.
amused. "It is No Mans Land"
I'm strong for it's sponsors in bap-
tism. And the other-?"
"Martha's Vineyard. That's Gay
head-the headland with the light
house. Off to the north of it, the
Elizabeth islands. If we're lucky,
We'll be at anchor off East Twenty
fourth street by nine o'clock tomorrow
morning. Any kick coming?"
"Not for ME. You might better con-
sult-my wife," said Whitaker with an
embarrassed laugh. Look here: I've
told you how things were with us, in
brief; but I'm hanged if you've dis
gorged a single word of explanation
as to how you came to let Drummond
slip through your fingers, to say moth
ing of how you managed to find u.s.
"He didn't slip through my fingers"
Ember retorted. "He launched young
earthquake at my devoted head and
disappeared before the dust settled. L
came to some time later with gag
in my mouth, handouts on my wrists,
behind my back, and rope round my
legs. Midnight the following night,
the owner happened along and let me
loose.
'It was easy enough to surmise
Drummond had some pal or other
working with him-I was slungshot-
ted from behind, while Drummond was
walking ahead. And two men had
worked in the kidnapping of Mrs.
Whitaker. So I went sleuthing; traced
you as far as Sag Harbor. There /
lost you-and there l borrowed this
outfit from friend, an old-time client
of mine. We kept cruising looking up
unlikely places. And, at that, we were
on the point of throwing up the sponge
when l picked up a schooner that re-
ported signal fires on No Mans Land.
I think that clears everything
up"
"Yes," said Whitaker sleepily.
And so strong was his need of sleep
that it was not until ten o'clock the
following morning, when the yacht lay
at her mooring in the East river, that
Ember succeeded in rousing him by
main strength and goodwill.
His wife had gone ashore an hour
ago, after refusing to listen to sug-
gestion that Whitaker be disturbed.
The note Ember handed him was brief,
but in Whitaker's sight eminently ade-
quate and compromising.
Dearest Boy: ] won't let them wake
you, but I must run away. It's early and
I must do some shopping before people
are about. My house here is closed; Mrs.
Secretan is in Maine with the only keys
aside from those at Great West Bay; and
I'm positive fright in a coat and skirt
borrowed from the stewardess. I don't
want even you to see me until I'm decent
ly dressed. shall put up at the Waldorf;
come there tonight, and we will dine to-
gether. Every fiber Of my being loves
you. MARY.
Whitaker took a serene and shining
face to the breakfast in the saloon,
under the eyes of Ember. Toward
noon they parted ashore, each taking
a taxicab to his lodgings. The under
standing was that they were to dine
together-all three, Whitaker promis-
ing for his wife upon the morrow.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)