The Washington times., 1918-06-02

MY pals ashamed to tell you that he's Just
bought it secondhand he added, turning
to Knox. He forgets that he's blooming
well given himself away already. Is there
anything you can do?'
Nothing" Knox replied firmly. 1T
would take a couple Of men half a day to
put your car in order. It's been thoroughly
badly driven. You've forgotten to turn on
the oil and you're lucky you haven't broken
your crankshaft"
They stood, for a moment, petriied.
well, am very sorry for you" Knox
said, moving slowly back toward his own
car. "Al can do is to offer to give one OF
you lift. II you, sir" he added, turning to
the man who had been standing by his side,
care to come along. III see what can do.
might take the bag, too. If you like"
There was profound silence Then the
man whom he had addressed answered
firmly
Il accept, with pleasure, sir" he said,
but as for the bag. it is Of no consequence.
Let It remain. There is something will
take"
"You will not!" the man who had acted
as driver broke in. The one who goes
takes charge Of the bag. and everything
there is in it. We're not going to be left
here with it,"
"And IL refuse!" was the prompt reply
''You have bungled this affair, as might
have expected you would. If you will take
me on, sir: he added, turning to Knox. q
shall be extremely obliged
The man who had driven the car stepped
into the middle Of the road. There was vio-
lence indicated in his attitude
UNLESS you take the bag away, too, you
sha'n't budget"
Knox shrugged his shoulders. He was
standing with one foot upon the step of his
car
Look here" he said, I've had about
enough Of this. After all, am not sure
that care to be bothered with any Of you
all the way to London. tell you what
I'll do" he added, mounting to the driving
seat. "In take one of you to the neaEes:
railway station-neither more nor less.
Now you can please yourself. I'll give you
exactly sixty seconds to decide"
He took his seat at the wheel In a
moment the short, dark man clambered to
his side. The kit bag was hoisted in and
Knox knew then that his suspicious we're
correct Both men had to exert all their
strength in order to lift 1t.
Remember" one of them enjoined with
bfddap y,apona u, bFg tEyyo,,
us, whatever time We get up tonight"
Rnox's companion agreed, with little
shrug Of the shoulders Knox slipped in his
clutch and glided ~. At the bottom Of the
hill, however, instead Of continuing his
course toward the town, he turned sharply
to the left
"Is this the way?' his companion asked
doubtfully.
at is Knox answered. please don't
talk to me while I am driving. Nv car
takes a great deal Of attention"
The lights Of the town faded away on
their right. Knox's companion became in
creasingly uneasy.
"I do not understand this" he muttered.
Knox brought the car to a standstill,
"If you say another word while / am
driving" he said distinctly, 81 shall throw
you out"
Very WELL I will speak now. then" the
young man retorted You promised to
take me to the me- 'est railway station"
We are on our way to a railway station
at the present moment" Knox declared,
pointing to a light ahead
81 am in your hands" he said PRO
ceed.'
Knox set his teeth and slipped in the
fourth speed. The man by his side caught
hold Of the side of the car. They swung
round to the left, travelling now at a great
7ace. Knox was leaning a little over the
vheel. The young man by his side seemed
o have forgotten everything except his
ear
"My Cod" he muttered to himself
This Is horriblel"
Another turn to the left They came
down long hill and turned abruptly into
a broad main road. Then. with scarcely a
warning. Knox swung the car
abruptly round. They were in a dark ave-
nue., skidding little with the suddenness
NJ tho t"-n. The ynrn~ man half sDrang
10 his feet Knox, with the steering wheal
in his right hand and his foot upon the
bra1-n th-rist him back with his left ha-I
Look here" he said. ''its no use making
a fuss. There's been a robbery commit ed
at this house and l believe you're con
cerned in it. I am going to have the con
tents Of that bag examined, here and in
The presence of the tenant II have made
mistake, I'll apologize down to the ground
and take you up to London or wherever
you want to 60"
The car had come to a standstilI The
'ront door stood open. The man servant
vas there, upon the threshold, and another