The Washington times., 1921-05-19

raced on together. We were near
ing the gate now and the hum of q
powerful motor sounded. above the
banging of my heart and the snap
and crackle Of our footsteps on the
frosty ground.
Then the racing figure ahead of
US whirled around and on q knoll
above US for q second stood clearly
siihouetted against the sky. He
wore a skating cap pulled low over
his eyes and heavy sweater col
lar was turned up over the lower
part of his face. % the only fea-
lures visible were lips which seemed
to twist a bit under his long nose.
He lifted his arm In = queer. threat
ening gesture. and for q second
seemed about to rush toward us.
At that moment the roar of the
motor increased. the man rushed
through the entrance gate and out
to the road in front of Drcamwold
Neal showed me back and darted
out through tho gate. / raced after
him, and was just In time to see 4
whirl of dust as Q big car raced
down the road.
Go back! This is a mans jobr
commanded Neal, as he darted for
ward.
Ibid you see who was In the
carr I gasped minute latR.
when he came plodding back de-
jectedly through the gate
There was big fellow at Tire
drivers wheel" replied Neal. .and
/ thought l caught glimpse of
another chap in the tonneau. But
they had too much speed for me-
"What did he look like7 asked
thr0n0h ~ ffortnD linz
NO TIME TO SEE PHOEBE.
Couldn't SEQ" began Neal.
and then interrupted himself to
cry. remorsely: why. Babbs.
you're trembling. You haven't .
coat on. Here. take min@'
In spite of my protests he ripped
of his coat and laid 1t over my
shoulders. racing me toward the
house.
"Walt- I painted rs We nsared
the door. which stood open with
light streaming down the drive
way. 1--WE got to know about the
men In the car. Can't you describe
themT'
sweet chance there was to chalk
up their Bertillon measurements"
said Neal. That car went whixzing
off the second after l got to the
gate"
What was the car hksr I
asked.
"A big limousine. But I couldn't
make out much about IL. You know
all cars are gray in the dark" re-
piled Neal, soothingly now. Babbsie,
come in out of the cold Why,
you're shaking and shiverins at
great rate. dear. This won't do"
"You didn't see the men clearly?
Haven't you even an idea who the
man was who shot at us?' asked.
mot in the slightest"
1T didn't look like Dick West!
J insisted.
s.1For the love of Nike! No. It
did not. Didn't lock any more
like West than I do. ,Babba What
would make him sleuth around this
place. I'd like to know. You've
got a clear case of imaginitis, Sis"
There was nothing to be gained
ty standing out in the cold trying
to convey to Neal clear view of
my own tangled and uncertain sus-
picions.
Did you have your tank With
Phoebe?" / asked as we reached
the porch.
with Phoebe? No. Swell chance
/ had. When / said you'd gone to
bed nothing could stop Phoebe
from running up to see what she
could do for you. When she came
Gown and reported your room
empty. Of course, I was glad of the
excuse to start of after you. had
trouble enough stopping Pat
Meal" I begged. promise me
one thing. Promise you won't say
a word about our adventures until
I've had a chance for talk with
you. Jeanie wasn't any more than
half persuaded to---leave Jim alone.
This might start her off again."
II don't know" muttered Neal.
uncertainty.
II went out for a walk. That's
all. Don't say a word till tomor-
row. Then I'll show you all the
threads I'm trying to tie up"
"All right till tomorrow" said
Neal, grimly. mot much chance
for your doing any more crazy
stunts between now and then"