The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-07-10

BON were listening ntentIy Tor SOUNDS
In the hall. She leaned closer to whis-
per in his ear. Their shoulders
touched. He wondered If she expert
enced the same delightful thrill that
ran through his body. She told him of
the man who watched across the hall
from the room supposed to be occupied
by Loeb the secretary, and of
Sprouse's incomprehensible daring.
"Where is Mr.. Curtis?" he asked.
Her breath famed his cheek. her
lips were close to his ear. "There is
no Mr.. Curtis here. He died four
months ago in Florida"
II suspected as much" He did not
press her for further revelations.
"Sprouse should be here by this, time.
l must go out there and see if he re-
quires any"
She clutched his arm frantically.
"You shall do nothing of the kind. You
shall not"
Ssh! What do you take ME for,
Miss Cameron? He may be sorely In
need of help. Do you think that l
| would leave him to God knows what
.Ort of fate?"
"But he said positively that I was to
go in case he did moi return in-in fif-
teen minutes" she begged. "He may
have been cut off and was compelled
to escape from another"
"Just the same, I've got to see what
has become Of"
mo! MOI" She arose with him,
dragging at his arm. do not be fool
hardy. You are not skilled at"
"Tllere is only one way TO stop ME,
Miss Cameron. If you will come With
ME now"
"But ! must know whether he Sc
cured the.
"Then let me 80. I will find out
whether he has succeeded"
He WIS rougher than he realized in
wrenching his arm free. She uttered a
low moan and covered her face with
her hands. Vndeterrcd. he crossed to
the door. His hand was on the knob
when a door slammed violently some
where in a distant part of the house.
A hoarse shout Of alarm rang out,
and then the rush of heavy feet over
thickly carpeted floors.
Barnes acted with lightning swift
ness. He sprang to the open window,
half-car:ying. h~alf-dragging. the girl
with him.
snow for itw he whispered. mot a
second to lose. Climb upon my back,
quick. and hang or for dear life." He
had scrambled through the window
and was lying fiat across the sill.
Hurry! Don't be afraid. l am strong
enough to carry you If the vines do
their part"
With surprising alacrity and sure
ness she crawled out beside him and
then over upon his broad back. clasp
ing her arms around his neck. Hold
ing to the ledge with one hand lie felt
for and clutched the thick vine with
the Other. Slowly he slid his body off
of the sill and swung free by one arm.
An instant later he found the lattice
with the other hand and the hurried
descent began.
His feet touched the ground. In the
twinkling Of an eye he picked her up
in his arms and bolted across the lit
lie grass plot into the s%hrubbery. She
did not utter a sound.
Presently he set her down. His.
haMsted.
Can yOu-manage to-wnlk a little
way?" he gaspeG. :Give me your hand.
and follow as close to my heels as you
can. Better that I should bump into
things than you."
Shouts were now heard, and shrill
blasts on a police whistle split the air.
On they stumbled. blindly, reckless.
ly. He spared her many all injury by
taking 1t himself. More than once she
murmured sympathy when he crashed
into q tree or flOundered over u log.
Utterly Mt sea, he was now guessing at
the course they were taking. Whether
their frantic dash was leading them
toward the Tavern. or whether they
were circling back to Green Fancy. lie
knew not. Painting, he forged onward.
At last she cried out. quaverlngly:
"Oh. IL can 60 no farther! Can't
we-is it not safe to stop for a mo-
ment? My breath is"
God bless you. yes" he exclaimed.
and came to an abrupt stop. She
leaned heavily against him. gasping
for breath. II haven't the ~faintest
idea where we are, but we must be
some distance from the house. We
will rest a few minutes and then take
1t easier. more cautiously I am sorry.
but it was the only thing to do, rough
as 1t was.
X know. l understand. am not
complaining, Mr. Barnes. You will find
me ready and strong and"
LET me think. must try to get
my bearings. Good Lord. l wish
SprOuse were here. He can see In the
dark. We are or the path. that's
sure"
no you think he escapedT'