New Britain herald., 1922-08-18

At Lillian's admonition to go on with his story Tom Chester turned toward her with q jerk of the shoulders--not foreign enough 10 be a shrug-which expressed as plainly as words could have done the resent ment he felt toward Allen Drake, That the older mans thiny disguised rdlou!e had angercd him was plainly to be seen, but il was also patent that he meant to ignore both the eibe And the giber.
 We went over 10 RiNerhead, young MT, Chester continued, and found the chaps with the limousine had given out that they were making map of automobile roads through this section, They had a couple Of local oafers helping thenl-fellows of the type that will keep their mouths shut for money But one of us haA something on one of them, and after little persuasion he came clean with everything he had and is making regular reports to us Of everything they do. And I'll say they've been some busy little parties. They've 
 if there's a square inch Of the most secluded wood road in this section that they haven't explored, I'll eat 1t. They had the loafers trail them in the smallest car they could buy, and they used it over the wood roads too narrow for the big car. If they are making a map, they'n sure have a peach when they get through !"
 You Mean-'
 From my fathers side I saw LiI- Han and Allen Drake exchange swift significant glances, and at the same instant my fathers hand on my shoulder frightened as if involuntarily That the three experienced secret service officials saw something in the young soldiers story which was evi- dently not apparent to him was sure.
 And if they're planning quick getaway for somebody who's cook ing up a stunt that will demand one" Allen Drake said crisply, every trace of a drawl gone from his tone.
 Exactly" Lillian acquiesced, and Tom Chester looked from one face to the other with mortified comprehen- sion drawning in his eyes
 You mean" he addressed Lillian, still ignoring Allen Drake, that the man smith"
 'The man smith" Lillian repeated her voice almost rasping so tense was it, just now has two ideas in his half-crazed but diabolically sun ming brain. One is the recovery Of the secret code in the eyeglass case he lost here on the night he searched Katie's room. The other is his desire to get even with Madge and the Dicky-bird for the way they crabbsI his game up in the Catskills Hes going to try both stunts before n. leaves here And neat little mur- der more or less while he is on the job would be a mere detail to the gifted Mr. smith,
 A Disconcerting Tribute.
 Tom Chester had been looking in | tently at Lillian as she was speak, | ing. but at her last words his horri- fled eyes leaped to me That he al ready saw me the victim of an as SaSSln hand was as evident IS was f his boyish determination to do every thing in his power to protect me. |
 "Then-then" he stammered I've are wasting time, aren't we? You say Dr. Petit is not going to tell Smith that his ankle is well until tomorrow morning. He is really fugitive from justice. I think you said. l can go down right now and nab him if you say the word"
 Lillian smiled at him sympathetic ally, but her negative was prompt.
 That's what ought to be done, but unfortunately we cannot permit it just yet" she said. He must be al . lowed to run loose for awhile, so that . he will finally lead us to the biggest ! lair of all. And he must be given ' the opportunity to steal back his eye glass came with the code inside
 But" Tom Chester sprang to his . feet, his eyes blazing with excite { ment, the blood receding from his , tanned checks "You-you-are risk { ing her life !'