The Washington times., 1921-03-16
By Jane Mclean.
(sorsew Version NoveJised-)

(scrsew Version NoveIised-)
ITO tho gruff announcement that
there they had been ferretod
- out, neither Peter nor Clare
made answer. The young man was
very pale; the girl watched, ready
to take her cue from him, but in
their hearts they both knew that
resistance was useless.
Nevertheless. the rough and ready
manner Of the man in the fedora
hat reused all the antagonism that
tho hunted criminal feels for the
pursuer. The unfairness of tho
chase, the unfairness of the whole
situation seemed to rush in q flood
over the young mans mind. and.
acting more as q result Of his
emotions than from any precon-
ceived thought, he whipped out
the automatic he had used with
such effect on the night Of the
hold-up.
The unwelcome stranger did not
cringe. His cigar tilted up at
slightly higher angle as he saw the
flash Of the gun, but he made no
motion Of fear. nor did he attempt
on hts part to draw. Peters eyes
never left his face and Glare. breath
less, waited for the result. The
strange man walked straight up to
Peter and. thrusting his face close
to his. said calmly:
go ahead, shoot"
The ex-butler had the point of
the pistol almost squarely in the
pit Of the others abdomen. but
there was no report. His arm fell.
the gun clattered to the floor and
H.II .
ferred to his face.
LOST HIS NERVE.
I've lost my nerve" cried Peter.
"1 can't shoot in cold blood.
can't do it."
mo, you can't do 1t. thank God"
sobbed Clare. "Oh. Peter, Peter
we've got to give up, but we've al
ways got each other"
That's the way to talk" said the
intruder calmly. "No use trying to
beat the law. 1t never leads any
where. I'm all ready for you two.
Better get your bags II you've
got any and remember, no games.
I'm under orders to see you don't
get away" He stopped and picked
up the pistol and transferred 1t to
his own pocket.
TN keep this little toy, but I
hope I won't have to use it," he
said with a laugh.
He waited while the girl picked
up the one bag they had acquired
since their flight from Mr.. Oar
ley's. and then holding the door
open, motioned them to the ele-
vator, quite as though he were
their host at a function.
n
show of this" ne said, ITS up to
you to come along quietly. No
body'll know anything about It,"
That's decent of you" said
Peter.
''Oh, I'm not all bad" said the
other; brand-new one. Wen all
get in together"
SPECIAL DESIGNATION.
No one in the shabby hotel paid
any attention to two men and n
woman casually entering a flivver.
No one paid any attention to the
man in the fedora hat when he
started the engine and began to
weave his way through the busi-
ness section. 1t was only when he
had headed for the suburbs that
Peter leaned forward and managed
to gasp:
"Where are you taking us? This
isn't the way to the police court"
Hold your horses" said the chau-
feur; "this case has made a lot Of
talk. We've got a special dispense
tion. You'll get a fair deal. Leave
1t to me-"
toward the open, Clare and Peter sat
-.
uneasy, too anxious to enjoy the
passing beauty of the country.
The stranger turned now and
again as though TO assure himself
that his two passengers were with
him. He even volunteered a re-
mark: You two will be the sor-
riest people that ever came down
the pike IL you try to escape"
IT'S all right" said Peter, ''we're
not trying to get away. We want
to get 1t over with"
Under a large tree whose branches
made an arbor from tho sun, the
chauffeur halted. and getting out.
walked back and forth without
speaking. Then he lit a cigar and
offered ono to Peter.
THE CHARGE.
barley being married last even
ing?"
They shook their heads.
"Yep. married her little man.
Nice girl, Miss Darley, and nice
little feller. Homer. Too much
money. but that can't be helped"
He smoked for some time in
silence
do you mind II we get out?~
asked Clare.
''Sure not; stretch your legs. both
of you. By Jove, this Is a restful
bit, isn't it?'