The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-21

ed low like a cat for a second and the
next moment sprong forward with a
lurch that threw the entire harnessed
quartet out of line. That infection Of
panic spread to them all and the driv-
err. with his feet well apart saved a
collision with the hyena wagon In front
of him by turning his chariot sharply
out over the car tracks to the right.
street opening luckily stood directly
In front OF them. for by this time they
were out OF control and intent on only
their own wild way.
They're after usi" called as
crowded closer to the drivers swaying
body. They're coming-in a carl
Don't try to stop!"
At that moment a bullet whined
overhead not three feet above us.
And that must have settled his doubts.
For he gave those galloping horses
their heads. Again saw a pun OF
smoke from the pursuing car. but this
time the shot fell short, for I couldn't
even hear the sound OF the bullet. Be-
fore. We reached the hilltop and the
open country I'd my automatic out and
was taking pot shots at the car front
laundering and swaying and careening
after US. We couldn't. realized. hold
our lead for long The one thing I
didn't want to happen, / knew. could
only too easily occur before any out
siders might interfere. So acted
with promptness, If not altogether
with dignity.
I dropped to the dusty floor of that
swaying chariot. clinging all the while
to my suitcase. Then as we went
swaying over the brow of the HILL mo-
mentarily cut off from view of the
car behind, slipped on the edge Of
the dancing and juggling and ciutterins
platform. The force of that fall caused
me to do an unexpected Annette KEEL
lerman dive into the road ditch. / came
to stop still clinging to my precious
bag within four feet of a wire fence.
Under this I crawled into the under
brush on all fours.
The underbrush deepened into heav-
Ter timber. until I found myself in a
thick woodland. I pushed on right
through those whispering and echoing
woods. Then I circled an open field.
caught sight of a distant farmhouse.
ana paused to make myself halfway
presentable before once more facing
civilization. There found a somewhat
slatterniy looking woman drawing a
pail of water from a curb well. Gould
you take me to town." I asked, as I
opened my purse. The tired eyes grew
round as she stared down at the bill I
held cut to her.
ed to her. And five dollars worth of
old clothes and somebody TO drive me
back to Chamboro. Can you do it?''
It's circus day Z Chamboro," she
said. with, a hungry look in her tired
eyes.
80 I've just discovered" I acknowl-
edged. But the toii-wearied womehNat
the well responded to that unexpected
call of adventure. ana while she caught
and harnessed pluggy gray mare I
dined on a wide slice Of apple pie wash
ed down with q glass of milk. arrayed
myself in a well-worn Paisley shawl,
black straw bonnet ana a pair Of
specks.
You can drive me straight to tbs
police station" I announced, after APP
preaching the city without either acci-
dent or interference.
There I found a fat man in his shirt
sleeves and blue trousers, iAboriously
penning entries in blotter.
'Well?" he finally demanded. view
ing me with open disfavor. But I was
used to such things by this time.
"Kishlnger's safe has been robbed of
nearly a quarter of a million dollars
worth of Jewels" I announced as !
stood there hanging onto my precious
suitcase.
"I know til" he promptly and placid
ly acknowledged. r-
Then please lock me up" request
ed, for I'm the person who stole that
stuff"
"oh. no. you didn't" ponderously
and Unexpectedly countered the fat
man at the desk. We've got the guy
who pulled off that job"
You mean Citrate Samr 1 xasped.
"They say he calls hisself HumPy
Jansen
sat down on wooden bench that
stood on one side of the room. L still
had my dust covered suitcase In my
hand.
And who arrested h,n?r asked.
"A slick she-slooth from Moo York;
he announced between scratches OF his
pen, land got him right as he was
slippin' out Of Kishinger's shopi"
"A woman named Toosey Attrill?"
demanded.
Say. who air you anyhow" he
pointedly inquired.
But had no chance to answer that
question. for tho next moment the room
was invaded by two uniformed police
men and three men in plain clothes.
One of the men. who stood just behind
the Officers was wilkins himself.
The other two were oidershaw and
Brescher.
well, these two men have got to get
back to New York tonight ana want
to make q deposition. Who Is there
here to take care Of themr
The man in his shirtsleeves rose with
pondereus briskness to his feet,
Just a minute. gentlemen. and IN
ret Colonel Lowrie fr you" he an
bounced. as he toddled away. But in
he doorway he stopped and turned
back Il s'pose there's no trace Of them
diamonds that yegg got out o. Kisn-
myers safe?" he impersonaliy inquired.
"None!" was wilkins's morosely i'm.
patient retort-
/ slipped from my bench and moved
over to the doorway which he had so
receutfv vacated