Graham guardian., 1922-12-05

Wiling even TO COnnlFe Ut ute Chp-
tain's murder If necessary to the sue
cess of their crime. Only one theory
was possible; that the girl was under
constraint, driven TO her strange act by
personal fear, She dare do nothing
else, terrorized by the threats Of Ho-
bart. and her own sense OF utter help
lessness in his power. This, and this
only, must be the answer to the riddle.
McAdams, unable to remain quiet,
departed to get his police search start.
| ed In an attempt to discover Hobart
| In his new hiding place, The fellow
| could not he on the yacht, as that had
sailed from Jackson park at far too
early an hour for him to have possibly
made one Of the party. He would still
| be in the city then, securely concealed
| In some dive OF the underworld, per
| fecting his plans, whatever they
might be, and, perhaps, arranging to
Join those on the boat later. The de-
tective even thought this unlikely. his
theory being that Hobart merely de-
sired to get the girl safely out of the
way for length Of time sufficient t"
enable him to complete his nefarious
scheme. He argued that Natalie was
In no real danger; she would be held,
no doubt. kept out of sight as long
as was necessary, but otherwise left
uninjured. This was no stpng-arm
crime, but bigh-class confidence
game, and the important thing WAS to
quickly lay hands on Hobart, With
him once In the tolls. the whole con-
spiracy would instantly collapse With
this end in view. McAdams took up the
mans trnil. leaving West to stand
guard over the telephone.
The latter called up Sexton, and
hurried him out TO Fairlawn, with In
structions to find out all he could from
the servants there relative to any late
Developments. This accomplished.
nothing remained for West TO do but
sit down and .wait for something else
to happen.
The delay was shorter than he an
ticipated. There was sharp ringing
OF the bell the police operator respond
ing quickly.
Police headquarters What's want.
ed7 McAdams; no he is not In just
now. Who is calling him? Harbor
masters Office; all right; hold the
wire a minute"
He turned his head around.
Must be your case. Captain; better
hear what they have to say"
West grasped the receiver eagerly.
els this the Seminole matter7' he
asked swiftly. Certainly, I under
stand about II. What's that. Oh.
WinchelI told you to call up II you
learned anything. or course; what Is
1t? Yes. hear; just found her tied
up at north side Of Municipal. pier.
What's the troublei Engine working
bad, and had to come In, hey? All
right-thanks I'll go straight over and
see them"
This was great luck, yet there was
very little he could hope 70 accomplish
alone. without the help and authority
Of McAdams. Even if the vessel had
been stolen--which was probably not
true--he possessed no power of ar
rest. All he could hope to do would
be to keep the fellows In sight until
Mac showed up. and, If possible, pre-
vent them from putting out into the
lake again. Even In that he needs
must be cautious not to be seen by
any of the gang who might recognize
him. An alarm, proving they were be-
ing followed. would doubtless send
them scattering instantly.
West thought of all these things as
a taxi bore him across the city to the
pier, and acted accordingly. The open
air restaurant accorded him every
reasonable opportunity for conceal
ment, while affordmg ample view of
whatever was going on. A pleasure
boat, band aboard. and with barker
industriously busy, was close by, sur
rounded by a heyy of women and chill
drcn. Beyond these, on the same side.
snuggled close against the cement
wall, lay the yacht.
The Seminole was q much larger
boat than West had anticipated seeing,
yet he could not doubt her being the
vessel sought. The name was plainly
stenciled on the bow, as well as upon
the dingy towing astern. The cabin
appeared tightly closed, even the win
dows being heavily draped. Sorle me-
chanics were evidently working below;
there was a sound of hammering, and
occasionally fellow In overalls APP
peared at the hatch opening. No one
wearing any semblance of yacht uni.
form was visible, although four or five
men lounged about the deck, or close
at hand on the pier, apparently con-
nected with the vessel. While an afr
OF carelessness was assumed by all
these, yet West. watching them closely.
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