The Washington times., 1919-04-23

Wen chance il together. my
murderous little friend"
The wind began to roar again as
they rushed downward over a hill
that seemed endless. She clung
to her seat and he hung 10 his wheel
IKE grim death; and, fer one terri
Bile instant, she almost lost con-
sciOusness.
Then the terrific pace slackened;
the car. running swiftly. was now
speeding over a macadam road; and
Neeland laughed and cried in her
ear:
Better light another Of your helI's
''yn cigarettes IL you want your
I.iends to follow us''
Slowing. he drove with one hand
On the wheel
Look up thersg' he said. point
ing high at a dark hillside. See
their lights? They're on the worst
road in the Gayield hills We cut
OF three miles this way"
Still driving with one hand, he
looked at his watch. laughed con-
tentedly. and turned to her with the
sudden and almost friendly tolera-
tion horn OF success and OF danger
shared IN common.
That was rather q reckless bit
Of driving" he admitted Were
you frightened
ASK yourself how you'd feel
with a fool at the wheel"
We're all fools at times" he
retorted, laughing. You we're
when you shot at me. Suppose I'd
been seized with panic. I might
have turned loose on you. too"
For a while she remained silent,
then she looked at him curiously:
Were you armed?"
'I carry an automatic pistol in
my portfolio pocket"
She shrugged.
Lack Of PrecautiOn.
you were a fool to come into
that house without carrying 1t in
your hand" 20
where would you be now II
had done that?''
Dead. suppose" she said.
careIessIy. What are you
going to do with me-"
He was in excellent humor with
himself: exhiliration and excitement
still possessed him, keyed him up
Fancy" he said. "a foreign en-
bassy being mixed up in a plain
case of grand larceny.
with attempt to murder! My de.tr
but bloodthirsty young lady, I can
hardly comprehend IT,"
She remained silent. looking
straight in front of her.
You know" he said. I'm rather
glad you're not a common thief.
You've lots OF pluck-pIenty.'
You're as clever as a cobra II isn't
every poisonous snake that is
clever" he added. laughing.
What do you intend to do with
me-" she repeated, coolly.
Il don't know. You are certain
" an interesting companion. May
be I'll take you to New York with
me- You see I'm beginning to like
you
She was silent
He said:
Il never met a real spy. l scarce
ly believed they existed in time OF
peace, except in novels Really. 1
never imagined there were any
spies working for embassies, eK-
cept in Europe. You are, to me,
such a rare specimen" he added.
Eaily. that 1 rather dread part
ing with you. Won't you come to
Paris with me?'
Does what you say muse you?"
NeeIand Becomes Romantic
What you say does. Yes, 7
think I'll take you to New York,
anyway And as we journey toward
that great metropolis together you
shall tell me all about your de-
lightful profession. You shall be a
Scheherazade to me. Is 1t a bar
gsin?"
She said in a pleasant. even voice:
'T might as well tell you now
that what you've been stupid
enough to do tonight is going to
cost you your life
what" he exclaimed. IaughingIy.
More murder? Oh, Scheherazade'
Shame on your naughty. naughty
behavior"
DO you expect to reach Paris
with those papers,?
Il do. fair hOuri. I do. Rose OF
Stamboulr'
You never will"
No.
mo" She sat staring ahead OF
her for a few moments. then turned
on him with restrained impstienCe:
Listen to me, now. l don't know
who you are. II you're employed
by any government you are .
novice
"Or an artist"
cor a consummate artist she
admitted. looking at him uncer-
tainly.
Il am an artist" he said.
"You have an excellent opinion