New-York tribune., 1918-01-13

mounting difficulties. Till the day broke
all | had to do was to sit still, but after
that--what? ! pondered for few min
utes, and then | came to the conclusion
that an hour or twos sleep would proba-
bly, freshen my wits. | knew could count
On waking when the sun rose, and so
closed my eyes and presently was fast
asleep
When l awoke it was broad daylight.
Looking first through the paneless win
dow, and then through the gap in the
roof, l saw that it was gray, still morn
lrg, that held promise Of a fine day, though
whether that was to my advantage or
disadvantage | did not feel quite sure
Nobody seemed to be stirring yet about
the houses or fields, so had still time for
deliberation before fate forced my hands.
First Of all, had look round my i'm
mediate surroundings. / was we'll shell
tered, as all the walls were standing, and
there was most Of roof over nv head
the last being point Of some Importance
IN case any aircraft chanced to make
flight in this direction 1t is true that the
door was gone, but even here I seemed
fortunate, for another small building, also
dilapidated looking, but in somewhat bet
ter condition, stood right opposite the
open doorway and hid it completely This
little building still had dishevelled door.
which stood closed, and for a moment
half thought of changing my shelter and
taking possession of it, and then l decided
that where fate had directed my steps
there should I abide.
The next thing, obviously, was to over,
haul my motorcycle, and this ! set about
at once, though all the time my thoughts
kept working. In the course of an hour or
sc | had located the trouble in the carbu-
, rotor and put it right again, and l had
also begun to realize a few of the pros
and cons of the situation
now ate few sandwiches, had pull
at my flask, lit cigarette and put the
case to myself squarely.
''With a motorcycle, the whole island
az my disposal and daylight in which to
search it through, can surely find hid
ing place a little further removed from
inqustivc ncighbors," | said to myself.
$50 the sooner I am off the bctter!!'
But then | answered back:
"On the other hand. it may take me
scme hours to find a better spot than this
and man tearing about the country on a
motorcycle is decidedly more conspicuous
! in, bo ,.l1 Al,
OF the day or the afternoon, when cyclists
are natural objects.
but again, if do think of leaving this
place. | certainly ought not to be seen in
the act of emerging from ruinous house.
cushing my cycle-not, at least, if I wish
to be considered normal feature Of the
landscape. l have a chance of escaping
now unobserved. Shall | have such a
chance later in the day."
Finally | decided to compromise. /
should stay where was till the hour when
all the farmers had their midday meal
Then | might we'll hope to slip out unob-
served and thereafter scour the country,
looking for the ideal hiding place without
attracting any particular attention. But
whatever merits this scheme may have had
were destined never to be tested.
From my seat amid the nettles l could
see right through the open door, and my
eyes all this while were resting on the
glimpse Of gray building outside. All at
once l held my breath and the hand that
was lifting a cigarette to my lips grew
rigid. A thin wisp of smoke was rising
from the chimney