Evening star., 1923-02-15

The car was run into q side road
that looked to be little more than q
lane. Kerfoot put on a. raincoat, and
while tho machine stood stilI he left
men on the front seat. 1t still was
raining when we continued on our
way, but the violence of the wind
and rain had abated.
In a few minutes we were back
on the main road again. Just as we
entered this. touring car sped by
us. Kerfoot remarked that. like ours.
the touring car was without tire
chains. The sight OF this car seemed
to have disquieting effect on Ker-
foot, who said 1t appeared to be in
hurry and that he would be glad
to know who its occupants were.
I'VE had been on the main road
only about hve minutes. during which
time we struck q pace that, at times,
seemed dangerous, In view OF the
; slippery condition Of the roadway,
when when somethins occurred that caused
which he was sitting beside me. The
! limousine was slowing down, and,
looking on ahead. saw that a lantern
/ was being swung from side to side
about hundred yards ahead of us.
As we swept on toward it. 1t dis
The Limousine came to a
standstill at the right of the
road and beside what appeared to be
an open f1eld. kerfoot flung open the
door % beside him and stepped out. He
9sa fron, mGsed fbs mo only nhjn couple Of PAGES
strangers approach him. Retaining
my place In tho machine, I heard dis
tinctly the conversation that follow
ed. l was unable, however, to see
the faces OF the speakers. The first
70 speak was one of the strangers.
who said:
You've got Horsford right ahead
OF you and Rennison behind you.
Hennison and a secret service man
leads to Horsford and Baltimore. We
haven't been able TO get this to the
chief or to head of Rennison, but II
looks Ike II was up to you TO deal
with the government men. You've
got to hurry. for Rennison is close
"How--?' Kerfoot began. but the
stranger interrupted him.
,, don't know anything OF the
Howe" he said. All l have is a
quick telephone tip Of the situation
Horsford wise. You'd better overhaul
him IL you can, for he might take
slde road as he nears Baltimore and
miss the parties that are being sent
out to meet him from there
"'All right. BILL Kerfoot answered.
directed our chauffeur to use every
enort to overtake the touring car
ahead Of US. In few seconds we
were tearing forward again--this
time at a speed that fairly put my
nerves on edge. Kerfoot. half-kneei-
ing on the seat, continued to peer out
Of the rear window of our car. Ap-
parently he failed to see your ma
chine, for he made no comment on
the situation.
Suddenly the Limousine began to
slow down again. AS looked about
motor cycle was following US closely
kerfoot swore quietly. but did not
address me.
when the limousine stopped ker-
foot got out. ! saw him show some
sort OF badge to a man In the uni
TORN e OF a traffic policeman. who got
ments the policeman stepped back,
kerfoot re-entered the machine and
onco again we were on our way.
ut soon became apparent that what
the policeman had said concerning
driver OF the car, for In two or three
minutes we were speeding as rapidly
as we had done before. Twice or
thrice I heard kerfoot muttering. but
lisible to me. Occasionally he rose 10
look out OF the back Of the car. but
for the most part he sa. quietly beside
me. He now had lighted his cigar
and was putting at 1t vigorously.
In this manner we passed through
rose to look along the road behind
us. the car swerved sharply, with
such force that my companions hand
rested on my shoulder for support He
apologized as he sank back to the
seat.
Then came the accident. This oc-
Cured at a time when the machine
was being slowed down. The car had
skidded so ofen before that ! was
not seriously alarmed at its sudden
sweryinS now. But this time our
chauffeur had US too near the middle
curve was taken. Beyond the curve
the Limousine left the roadway, ca
reened. then crashed against a light
tree or two which broke the force of
its collision with larger one.
Despite the shaking up to which
we we're subjected, none of US was
injured ] heard several oaths from
one Of the men on the front seat of
the car. but Kerfoot, beside me. was
silent. The violence Of the crash had
fung him against me. but as ne drew
back he neither apologized nor asked
ME If had been hurt. Apparently OBJ
livious Of my presence. he rose slowly,
opened the door on his right and
stepped OUT
After exchanging a few words
with the men on the front seat, Ker-
foot returned to where 1 remained
seated.
I'VE must get away from here
quickly, Miss Warburton,' he said.
You must come with US into the
II made no protest. of course. But,
as I was about to pick up the hand
bag ! had brought with me from my
apartment. the thought came TO me
that you, being behind US. were likely
about to abandon. For this reason.
therefore, i decided to leave the bag
on the seat. In the bag were en-
velopes addressed to me, and did
and thus learn that. having been in
the machine. still was near the
scene Of the accident You did find
the bag and the letters?"
Yes" Rennison answered. THE
bag Is now in one Of the drawers of
that dressing case"
The actress went on:
Scarcely had I alighted from the
disabled machine when Kerfoot
grasped g one o,on Of y a.n. Dxsr and ,S hurried
helped. none too gently. by him and
his companions. At times / was al
most dragged through the rain
soaked underbrush. and now and then
1 was more than ankle-deep in mud
or pools Of water.
AT length we stopped. Kerfoot
then told his companions that every
effort must be made to get possession
of the car that was following US, but
that an exchange of shots with its
occupants must be avoided.
"'WeIl deal with Rennison at
another time and in our own way
Kerfoot said. There Is q good rea-
son why he should not be brought to
account tonight
scarcely had he spoken when we
heard the approach Of an automo-
bile. 1t soon became apparent this
waa HlowinR down. KArfoot now