The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-12-14
CHAPTER XIII
The Fate Of a Prisoner.

The Fate Of a Prisoner.
The Seminole headed straight ont
Into the lake. No sound of movement or
speech reached Vests ears from the
cabin, and he settled down into moody
forgetfulness, still staring duly out
through the open port. What was to
be, would be, but there was nothing
for him to do but wait for those who
held him prisoner, to act. He was still
seated there, listless, incapable even
OF further thought, when the door was
suddenly unlocked. He had barely
time to arise to his feet, when the
man with the red mustache stepped
evithin, facing him, as he pushed tight
ly shut the door behind. The fellows
eyes saw the severed rope on the
floor, and he smiled, kicking the
strands aside contemptuously.
Smart enough for that, were your
he asked. "Well, I would have taken
them off myself, If I had Thought
nhont It, How did you manage? Oh,
j see; rather bright trick, old man."
The mans tone, and air of con,
fdence was impressive; beyond
doubt he felt that the cards were all
in his hands. West drew I'm his breath
sharply. "Niay 1 ask a question or
two?"
Fire away; I'll answer as I please"
"Who is the woman on board?"
MARY, you mean? Hobart's wife"
"She came from the place on Wray
street last night in an auto?"
YES; / brought her along myself.n
"Alone?"
."There were tive OF us, Mark and
why, what are you driving atY'
"Just putting some broken threads
together. Then Natalie Coolidge is not
on this yachtT"
II should say not. What would we
be doing with her out here?"
"Where is she, then?"
"Oh, 1 begin to see what brought
you aboard so easily, West. You
thought we had the lady kidnapped
and was sailing Off with her. Some
stunt, that. What put the idea in your
headT
West hesitated a moment, but de-
cided a truthful answer would do no
harm.
II knew an automobile had driven
out Of the alley back of Mikes place;
and that woman was in 1t. When l
got away a little later, picked up
message-a note which had been
dropped. 1t was written In womans
hand but unsigned"
'The little cat! She dropped irr'
1T seems SO. You forgot yourself
that time. SO she was with you, was
she?'
II don't know what you mean. I
told you who were with me. Go on;
what did the note say?"
ut was only request for the police
to search the Seminole at once"
"Oh, that's the way the wind blows
But you preferred to tackle the job
yourself. 1 am certainly obliged to
you. West"
You have no reason to be. / took
that note to the police, and they are
on the case. They are combing the
city right now for Hobart, and If they
get him, this bubble of yours is likely
to be pricked."
HI. they won't get him. There
isn't a fiy-cop in Chicago who could
locate Jim in week, and as for
Natalie, believe me she Is quite able
to take care Of herself"
But where is she?"
"At home, of course, If you iaust
knOw-'Fairlawn,' isn't that the name
of the place? We left her there on our
way to Jackson park"
"Then the girl was with your"
Spilled the beans, didn't L? That
comes from talking too much. How
ever. there Is no harm done. Sure
she left with us, but we dropped her
out at Fairlawn. 1t was her machine
we were riding In. Say, you've ques-
toned me about enough, so let up.
Listen nOw-yOu will stay in this state
room until we get ready to let you
out. Don't try any funny business.
either, for If you do, you are going to
get hurt. There Is Il guard outside In
the cabin, and we are not afraid to
shoot out here on the lake. Nobody
knows where you are West; so, II