The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-05-02

l caught the thdng up in her arms Ar | exultant cry went up from behind her as she appeared to fall-oaths. g chorus of them. as she went on again | They had not gained in her be- fore; but with the weight in her arms | especially as she was obliged to carry it awkwardly in order to shield ii from their view with her body. she could not run so fast now, and they | were beginning to close up on her But she was on the wharf now. and | there was not much farther to eo. and and surely she could hold all the lead she needed until she reach | ed the edge.
 The light from the arc lamp held her dn view again out here on the wharf where she was clear of the shed; but she knew they would not fire at her except as a last resort, They could not afford to sound an alarm that would attract notice to the spot-when they had, or believed they | had, both the Adventurer and the White Moll within their. grasp now. She was running now with short, panting gasps. There were still five yards to go-three-one! She look ed around her like a hunted animal at bay, as she reached the end of the wharf and stood there poised at the edge. Yes, thank God, they were still far enough behind to give her the few seconds she needed! She cried out loudly as though in despair and terror-and sprang from the edge Of the wharf. And as she sprang she droppe@ the casting but even as cfr Rhoda Gray, in frantic haste, was crawling in through the little locker like opening under the decked over bow of the half scow, half boat into which she had leaped. And quick as a flash, huddled inside, she reach ed out and drew the heap of what proved to be sailcloth nearer to her to cover the opening-and lay still.
 A few seconds passed; then she heard them at the edge of the wharf and heard Danglars voice:
 Watch where she comes upI She can't get away!"
 A queer, wan smile twisted Rhoda Gray's lips. The casting had served her we'll; the splash had been loud enough! She listened, straining her ears to catch every sound from above. It was miserably small this hiding place into which she had
 
 hold her-she was beginning to be painfully cramped and uncomfortable already.
 Another voice, that she recognized as Pinkie Bonn's now. reached her:
 Its damned hard to spot anything out there; the waters blacker'n hell"
 Came a savage and impatient oath from Danglar.
 She's got to come up, ain't she t1 1,<,D- swum under the wharf, or maybe she's swum under water far enough out so's we can't see her from here. Anyway, jump into that boat there, and we'll paddle around till we get her."
 Rhoda Gray held her breath. The boat rocked violently as one after another. the men jumped into It. Her right hand was doubled under her. it was hard to reach her pocket and her automatic. She moved a. little; they were cursing, spIanshing with their oars, making too much noise to hear any slight rustic that she might make.
 A minute, two, went by She had her automatic now, and she lay there, grim-Hpped, waiting. Even if they found her now, she had her own way out; and by now, beyond any question, the Adventurer and the Sparrow would have reached the street, and, even if they had to hide out there somewhere until the Adventurer had recovered the use of his limbs, they would be safe
 She could not see, of course. Once the boat bumped, and again. They were probably searching around un- der the wharf. She could not hear what they said, for they were keep ing quiet now. talking in whispers so as not to give her warning of their whereabouts undoubtedly!
 The time dragged on. Her cramp- ed position was bringing her excru- ciating agony now. She could un- derstand how the Adventurer. in far worse case in the brutal position in which they had bound him, had faint ed. She was afraid she would faint herself-it was not only the pain, but 1t was terribly close In the confined space. and her head was swimming.
 Occasionally the oars splashed. and then. after an interminable time, the men. as though hopeless of success, and as though caution were no longer of any service, began to talk louder.
 The third man was Shluker- She recognized his voice, too
 .1t.s no use!' he snarled. eff she's & good swimmer. she could get across the river She'S got away that s sure. What the helTs the good of this? We're playing the fool Beat it backr She was nosing around the shed. How do we know she didn't let the Pug loose before we saw herr"
 Pinkie Bonn whined:
 'fIf he's gone too. we're crimped. The whole works is bust up! The Pug knows everything. where our is an everything. They'll have us coldi"
 "Close your face, Pfnkie'" It was Danglar speaking, his voice hoarse with uncomfortable rage. Go on back. then Shfuker- Quick.
 Rhoda Gray heard the hurried spIashing of the oars now; and pres entIy she felt the pumping of the boat against the wharf. and its violent rocking as the men climbed out of t again. But she did not move-save with her hand to push the folds of saiicloth a cautious inch or two away 1 from the opening It did not ease eufferiug from her |