The Hope pioneer., 1922-06-22

the change In his attitude, came close
to him and laid her hand on his arm.
"Please go through with it." she
whispered. "I'm really in danger. l.
l need your help. And, you're the only
man of all those in the boarding house
I felt would be the right sort to help
me. Please go through with it."
Gerry turned back to her. After
all, why not? 1t was adventure he
wanted, and If romance was lacking
what matter?
'All right, lead on" said Gerry.
The girl hurried resolutely toward
the house. Now Gerry saw there was
a light in the cellar. visible through
tiny cracks at the edges of the win.
dow. And now, too, he became con-
scious of another car approaching at
high speed down the road.
|. ooh, hurry!" cried the girl in an
agonized tone of voice. "1'm afraid
Simpkins will get here"
"Simpkins?" queried Gerry. "You
don't mean Simpkins, the prohibition
inspector?"
Gerry felt the girls eyes upon him
though the veil again hid her face.
"Yes, that's who meant" she re-
sponded. "But--but. please, oh,
please, help met"
Gerry wondered what sort of mess
he was getting into. Apparently the
girl must be hand-in-glove with some
law violators if Simpkins was against
her. And now he realized that the
figure the girl had pointed out from
the post office across the street was
that of Simpkins, whom he had met
on several occasions. What was It
all about7 Was the girl leading him
into some law violation7
Again Gerry turned away. deter.
mined to throw up the whole UNDER
taking. Then, strangely, as the girl
came close to him and again placed
her hand on his arm, that warm sense
of friendship and intimacy swept over
him again. Chambermaid or not, here
was girl who affected him as no
other girl ever had. If she wanted
him to stick by her. he'd do 1t, law
violation or not. And, strangely. he
somehow felt that everything must be
all right, after all.
The girl pressed an automatic into
his hand.
'Break in and hold them up! That's
all !" she said. "Quick, before Simp-
kins comes!"
That was all. But 1t was enough!
AS Gerry smashed through win
dow into the cellar and faced ring
of rough-looking individuals gathered
about a still in corner of the room
he felt it was touch and 60. for
moment. Then, oddly enough, one Of
the men in the right began quickly
clamping handouts on the gang.
There was noise at the window
behind Gerry. He heard Simpkins
talking to the girl. Then heard Simp.
kins tearing down the walk and the
sound of his machine starting up.
Then the girl entered the cellar and
stood behind him. Her veil was up
now and her face glorlously pretty,
her eyes shining wonderfully.
"We've won! We've won! In spite
of Simpkins' treachery," she cried.
"You did splendidly, jennings" she
added, turning to the man who had
slipped the handouts on the gang.
you're some fine, dandy detective"
said Jennings in reply.
Gerry turned swiftly to the girl, the
light Of understanding in his eyes.
"You-you're a prohibition inspec-
tort" he cried.
"Yes!" breathed the girl. ut was
blind-that chambermaid thing
some of the members Of this gang
roomed at your place."
"And-and Simpkins has been stand
ing in with this bunch?" went on
Gerry. -
eyes," the girl answered. "He tried
to d0uble-crOss me and then threat
ened to get my life. That's why I
wore veil-so he wouldn't be sure
it was me. That's why l had to call
on you. Simpkins wouldn't help me
round up the gang-he hindered me,
and Jennings was busy working on
the inside. l couldn't tell you right
out what I wanted-you wouldn't
have come. had to be mysterious,
appeal to your spirit of adventure
and"
"I've got something important to
say to you," exclaimed Gerry, his
heart pounding violently as he took
her gently by the arm and led her to
the steps leading out of the cellar.
But what he said is, as Kipling used
to say, another story!