Graham guardian., 1922-12-12

What then had become of the otherT
II she was being held prisoner, 1t was
not at all probable she had been left
somewhere ashore; apparently she had
reason to know where she was being
taken--to the Seminole; otherwise she
would never have written as she did.
She must have overheard their plans,
before she hastily scratched of the
note desperately; and yet those plans
might have been changed However,
If so. why were these peopie-accom-
plices of Hobart no doubt-feeing in
the yacht, seeking to conceal their
identity in an effort to disappear?
What were they fleeing frOmf Why
were they so fearful of discovery by
the police2 What would cause them to
kidnap him, merely on suspicion that
he was friend Of Natalie Coolidge?
The very act was proof positive of the
desperation Of their crime. 1t could
be accounted for on no other theory.
West paced the narrow space, his
brain whirling. as he attempted to
reason the affair out, his own helpless
ness becoming more and more appar-
ent. What could he do? There was
but one answer-absolutely nothing as
he was then situated. He could only
wait for some movement on the part
Of the others: his fate was out of his
own hands: he had been fool. and
must pay the price. The cords about
his wrists chafed and hurt with each
movement. The metal wash-stand gave
him an Inspiration its upper strip wns
thin. and somewhat Jagged along the
edge; possibly It might be utilized to
sever the strands. 1t was better to
try the experiment than remain thus
helplessly bound. With hands free
he could at least defend himself.
He made the effort. doubtfully at
first but hope came as the sharp edge
began to tear at the rope. II was slow
work, awkward. requiring all the
strength of his arms, yet he felt sure
of progress He could feel the strands
yield little by little, and redoubled his
efforts. AT last, exercising all his
muscle. the last frayed strand snapped.
His wrists were bleeding and the
hands numb, but the severed cord lay
on the floor and he again had the free
use of his arms The sudden freedom
brought new hope and courage. He
listened ut the door. testing the knob
cautiously. There was no yielding AMI
fn,. +ba n, ,o,,no,,t No so-,,J ,oo oh ga hin,
from without. The woman was doubt
less there on guard. and any effort he
might make to break down the door
would only bring the whole gang upon
him. Unamed, he eoulf not hope TO
fight them all. AS he stood there hest.
tating, unable to determine what to at
tempt, he became aware st throb-
hing under foot, increasing in intensity.
West knew instantly what 1t meant
they were testing out the engine; II
all worked well. the boat woula cast
off.
He sprang back to the port and
stared out, eagerly hoping that, as they
swept out into the lake, he might find
pl'pVi W WIN
some one on the pier. Perhaps by this
time Mac would have arrived, and be
watching their departure, unable to in
tervene, as he had no warrant for ar
rest, or any definite knowledge that the
yacht was being used for criminal
purpose, He had not long to wait.
Hurrying steps echoed along the deck;
voice shouted out some order, and
the end of loosened rope dropped
splashing into the water astern; the
boat trembled to the pulsations of the
engine, and West realized that 1t was
at first slowly, then more swiftly, slip
ping away into the broad water. He
still stood there, gazing back at the
fast reeedlng pier; gradually becom-
ing blurred in the distance, but hope
lessly. He knew now he must face
his fate alone.