The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-25
~ Louis
Joseph Vance
epu tasarnltionli Marine coapsq1

at 3 ctgarst and watching the
Lanyard said nothing at the
time, but later. when long
stretch Of straight road gave him
the chance. verified his suspicious
by looking back 10 see the gray
car lurking not less than a mile
and a half astern; the Delorme
touring car driven by Leon keep
Ing a quarter Of a mile In the rear
OF tho Limousine.
These relative positions remain.
ed approximately unchanged dur
ing most OF the light hours Of that
long evening, despite the terrific
pace which Jules set in the open
country.
At about seven they dtned from
tina hamper which. with lanes
Jewel case in its leather disguise
Of simple travelling bag, consti-
tuted all the limousine's load Of
luggage. Lanyard passed sand
witches through the front window
to Jules. who munched them
while driving like speed maniac,
and with the same appalling non
chalsnce washed them down with
tumbler Of champagne.
a luminous lilac twilight Wed
with the street lamps Of Caen
when the limousine rolled
through the city. Lanyard con-
ferred with Jules through thu
window.
Beyond the town" he said.
you will stop. think 1t would
be advisable to have a little en-
gine trouble"
Very good. sir said Jules
without looking round. Then he
added In a voice Of complete res
pect: Quite so. sir. What's the
idea?"
81 presume you set some value
on your skin?"
Plumb crazy about IT,"
"Mademolselle Delotme and I
are afflicted with the same idios-
yncrasy. We want to save our
lives. and we don't mind saying
yours at the same time. In gray
car which has been following us
ever since We left st. German. is
the man Who'll believe--murder-
ed Monsieur lie Comte de Lorgnes
on the Lyons express, and who-I
know-trled last night TO murder
Mademolselle Delorme."
And ] suppose that, In his big
hearted, whOlesal s. way. he
wouldn't mind making a bag OF
the lot of us tonight"
"I'm afraid you are rlgl'. Our
plan is to change cars with Leon
and Marthe: the gray car will pass
aud 20 on ahead before we make
the shift: then you, mademoIselle
and I follow in the touring car,
the others In the limousine"
"Ah-h!" Jules used the tone Of
one who perceives enlightenment
as a binding fash. "Marthe ami
Leon are In on the dirty work, too,
Ell? shan't shed a solitary tear
II something sad happens 10 them
In this bus tonight"
The plan was carried out In d
suburb Of Caen: the gray touring
car tore BY In a cloud of dust az
Lanyard and LANE shifted to the
touring car with Jules as driver.
Lanyard established himself In
the tonneau.
How long, Jules. win Leon
need?
Five minutes, madame II he
takes his time about II.
They drew away from the limou.
sine so quickly that in thirty sec.
onds its headlights were all that
marked its stand.
A bend in the road blotted out
these lights. There was no tail
light visible on the road before
them. Lanyard touched Jules on
the shoulder.
Switch off your lights" he said
all Of them. Then find place
where We can turn off and walt till
Leon and Marthe pass u.s.
Jules picked out the mouth OF
narrow lane, stopped, and backed
into It.
In four minutes by Lanyard's
watch, blue.white glare leapt
Quivering past the bend, and lay
horizontal with the road as the car
bored past.
Shoot, Jules--follow his rear
limp" cried Lanyard.
The car swung out into the main