Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-07
CHAPTER X-COntinued

Jump in the car Miss Parker. I'll
drop you at your boarding house. he
said. Turning to Di he took her hands
in his and pressed them. II shall not
be away longer than is necessary, dear
Don't wait up for mo If Tom comes
first"
Dl took Grace's hand and courteously
thanked her for taking so much trouble,
/ and Larry turned on the power. Just
then an immense headlight doomed up
at the turn Of the road that came from
the station, the nearest village and the
Country Club; the road upon which all
visitors 10 the Richmond home arrived.
II was not a main thOrofare. and as there
was only one house north of them the
family were always interested in any
vehicle that appeared from the southern
direction.
The road from which Grace had come
connected with the State road half
mile distant The girl had shown fore
thought and courage, Tor 1t was now
dark, BY crossing pastures, grain Held
and stream to gain time.
III wait minute; It might be Tom,"
Larry said, indicating the oncoming ma
chine.
Just then Helen came out to the en-
trance Of the garage, whore Di was
standing by the car, TO say that Mrs.
Richmond was awake and asking for her
son.
Tell her I'll be there in few min
utcs," Di said. straining her eyes to see
the occupant Of the car, which had
turned IN ana was now close to the
group.
"ucuoI" shouted the newcomer IN quer-
ulous tones; what are you all doing
here 2"
IFS Tom Di treathed in relieved
tones
THAT sounds as II you didn't ex-
poet me-" the young man replied impa
tiently. I'm hungry as a bear Where's
mother?"
Where have you been skylarking to:
that's what We want 70 know Larry
said with a tone Of authority that made
Tom look sharply at him. You have
worried III almost into a state Of hys
teria. Only that your mother is in bed
with q headache / don't know what we
should have done with her." the lawyer
added seyeriy.
Il don't see why you get angry before
you hear what prevented me from get
ting home nt the expected time Tom
said in injured tones. I've been on
fine Wild goose chase"
"Teu us all about Il, dear" ri said.
leaning weakly on the side Of her broth
ers car.
III I'm to be Of any use to Moren,
had better hurry, Larry said hastily.
q can hear Toms story when re-
turn"
what about Morenl" Tom asked
quickly. as this another trick ?"
what do you mean?" Larry de-
-
dent and I am going to see what can be
done for him"
Rubbish" Tom exclaimed. Il have
come from just such q message. I got
a telephone call at the club at o'clock
TO the effect that he had met with an
accident at Hampton; that's twenty two
miles away. The person who called said
he was being cared for in the drug store
until l could call for him. when I got
TO Hampdeu I found he was not there
and there had been no accident. Now
what do you think Of that2 I have HAD
all kinds Of delays. Ny gasoline gave
out five miles from nowhere. a tire burst
and ] missed the road home You can
Just put up your car and forget acct
dents"
Tom had spoken so fast nobody could
interrupt him; besides his story was SO
astonishing every one wanted to hear It
When he paused for breath Larry said:
This young girl Miss Parker, has
seen Moreu lying on the roadside. She
has come here to get assistance"
Tom peered into the car and saw Grace
for the first time since his sudden ar
rival
"Of course If she says there has been
an accident" he said alphabetically,
there must have been, but You can
see, after my experience. why I doubted
it. III go with you, Larry, it you want
mo to-"
Larry had not dared to look at III
during the recital Of Toms adventure
in case she would demand an explana,
ton Of the thoughts he would be un.
able to conceal from her. The whole
plot was clear to him. But how could
he tell this highly sensitive woman that
the man they had received into their
home as an honOred guest was house.
breaker. a burglar? The man who had
eaten at their table and slept under