Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29

it. Appointing several men hastily to
accompany him, he rushed in.
Get the dynamite and detonators.' -
he ordered.
with quick precision the men leaped
to obey him. and then followed him ba ok
again to the scene of conf1agration. The
flames were gaining swift headway.
Lives had been lost where people In
frantic endeavor to save their few pos
sessions had braved the fiery terror.
The downtown section of the small city
was in ruins. The flames had reached
the outskirts and were nearing the gun
cotton factory.
Grant stationed his men on this part.
String those wires here" he shouted.
dashing among them as they struggled
to- obey his orders. Hurry! That's
IT," he called. lending n hand to a man
whose fingers worked clumsily. Now
fast, boys. The fire Is catching up to us !!
How's the dynamite?'
Above the roar Of the steadily ap-
preaching flames the answer came back: :
"All wired up Ready to blow up as
soon as the plungers are attached"
ANY caps to thcm?"
Illuminate Of mercury on every one
"All right. Rush It. Let me know the
minute you're readyr'
A moment of waiting followed then
man shouted:
"All ready. sir"
Grant looked back at the swiftly rush.
ing flames. then turned to the men.
Now. boys. each man to detonator." !"
he shouted. When 1 say the word ex-
pode the dynamite !"
There was rush Of dark figures in
the glow of light. An order cut the air
then from the distance came tre-
mendous roar that dwarfed the noises of
the night as the outskirts of Hopewell
wreckage fell about the men. Clouds of
smoke and dust blackened the night air
and stified the onlookers, then the flames
showed through once more-but this
time they faced gaping ditch Of earth
80 wide that they could not cross The
guncotton factory was saved Harrison
Grant turned with a smile to the cap
burst from the frantic citizens.
Dixie Mason had made good speed
toward Hopewell for the greater part Of
the distance. The car had run steadily
until just as she came in sight of burn
ing Hopewell and realized that Instruc-
ton No. had undoubtedly been
carried to n successful conclusion; her
heart sank at the sound of whistling
rush of air from the rear wheel. She
stopped the machine and jumped down
TO inspect the hopelessly fattened tire,
With grim determination she dragged
out heavy tools from beneath the seat
of the machine and set to work to- re-
pair the damage as best she could, her
mind running mechanically to the dis
aster that had befallen Hopewell. So
this was instruction No. 4
At the sound of
cracking in the
bushes Dixie turn
Dixie Captures ed apprehenslvely.
DoIiings' The haggard figure
OF man which
dragged itself into
the road was one to inspire horror. He
stared wildly for a moment and then
stinctively reached for the heavy
wrench for protection. but he shook his
head.
II won't hurt you" he called hoarse-
ly Pm in trouble. want you to take
me to Richmond. little girl"
Dixie shook her head. I'm not going
to Richmond"
intensity OF his plea. "A hundred dol
lars II you will get me there. can't
wait for trains. I'll raise the price. A
hundred and fifty II you'll get me there"
Dixie leaned over and stared at him
m Mobile Il nights lights. Surely she H had % seen e this this
man before. despite the haggard appear
ance. the ,roughness. the dirt and CRIME
and blood-stained bandages. Was this
Dollings, the sanctimonious undertaken
Of Exeter? A recognition of him lighted
her eyes for a moment. She cast a glance
back at the smoke clouds darkening the
sky and the glow of flames from Hope
we'll instruction No. 4 This was the
man to whom Won Lertz had sent the
message on instruction No. 4.
Dixie turned to the machine.
Il can't hurry-and put this tire on
too"
Then you'll take me TO Richmond"
If you can help me get this tire on"
Il can't help much, but I can hold the
tire for you"
Dixie nodded. She rolled out the extra
tire and the work progressed. Now and
then Dixie reached In her pocket and
one less intent on the work in hand
would have caught the sound of a
ratcheted surface being opened. But
Dollings's senses. dulled by pain and
anxiety. did not notice.
The tire. was on the wheel. Dixie
rolled out the old tire to place 1t in POSI-
tion and gave 1t to Dollings TO hold. He
leaned on it. his gaze turning UP the
road toward the burning town. Dixie
smoSs sa % and 'eSs sparks 'ae teo s snd tSouRht %
the destruction and sorrow and suner-
ing 1t meant. Then very quietly she
crept forward toward Dolllngs. His
He was not noticing her. She leaned
over the tire and with a sharp snay
slipped the handcufs about his wrists
Dollings sprang at her with a snarl, but
she ordered tersey.
He hesitated. GO on" she urged
''and IL there Is any doubt in your mind
about this gun holding real bullets III
show youSthat 1t does"
He obeyed her grudgingly and with
real dine, sep,SS Il Dixie Ssr felt hsd thgs S
let her thought revert to Hopewell ant
Instruction No. I and Dollingss part in
II to stihe 1t.
the drivers sea,
Takes Dolhngs and take the wheel
Back to You can drive,
Hopewell know II. I've seer
you drive UP ir
Exeter, you know.
She smiled little, at the bewildered
then resumed her orders. Drive e
about this gun
Dollings drove the car into Hopewell
with Dixie Mason holding the revolver
Circling through the nre-devastated
@ S s. rs.chss Ss dsh ss Ssa Been
up that saved the guncotton plant
Above the roar Of the men Harrison
Grant heard a shrill little voice that
"oh. Harrison Grant He turned
Dixie Mason. see what I've brought
you." she said. pointing at the cringins
hGuPe OF the now completely cowed Dol.
lings She was standing on the run
drssi vriiss " y y - ~ VIA .