Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-07-09
CHAPTER XVII.
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 bill, Dor
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 a
chair beneath an awning on the after
deck of the yacht, and, with a 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. ut is No Mans Land"
''I'm strong for its sponsors in bap-
tism. And the other-?"
"Martha's Vineyard. That's Gay
head-the headland with the light
house. of to the north of it, the
Elizabeth islands. If we're lucky,
Wen be at anchor off East Twenty
fourth street by nine o'clock tomorrow
morning. Any kick coming2"
mot 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 us"
HE didn't slip through my fingers,
Ember retorted. "He launched young
earthquake at my devoted head and
disappeared before the dust settled.
came to some time later with a 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.
at 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 went sleuthing; traced
you as far as Sag Harbor. There
lost you-and there 1 borrowed this
4 outfit from a friend, an old-time client
of mine. We kept cruising, looking vi
unlikely places. And, at that, we were
on the point of throwing up the sponge
when 1 picked up a schooner that re
ported signal fires on No Mans Land
think that clears everything
up"
EYES," said Whitaker sleepily.
And so strong was his need of sleeI
that it was not until ten o'clock the
following morning, when the yacht la.
at her moorlng in the East river, tina
Ember succeeded in rousing him b.
main strength and goodwill.
His wife had gone ashore an hou
ago, after refusing to listen to a 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: 1 won't let them walk
you but I must run away. It's early an
1 must do some shopping before peopl
are about. My house here is closed; Mrs
Secretan is in Maine with the only key
aside from those at Great West Bay; an
I'm a positive fright in coat and Skin
borrowed from the stewardess. l don
want even you to see me until I'm decent
~ dressed shall put up at the Waldorf
come there tonight, and we will dine to
gether. Every fiber OF my being love
you. MARY.
Whitaker took a serene and shinin
face to the breakfast in the salooT
under the eyes of Ember. Towar
noon they parted ashore, each takin
a taxicab to his lodgings. The under
standing was that they were to din
together-all three, Whitaker promii
ing for his wife upon the morrow.
, CTO BE CONTINUED)