The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-02-28
CHAPTER xi-Continued.

~ thought it must be they" said
Aimee breathlessly. 81 wonder they
haven't called GU the military as well.
All the countryside seems to be chas-
ing mel Billy |" she said. with "a sus-
picieus tremble in her voice. you'll
help ine, won't you? I'll tell yc about
it. live kept it from you. but |
won't any longer. L"
Billy laid Il hand on her arm.
Amy" he said quietly, "just repeat
this piece to yourself. Say: I'm safe,
my partners lookin' after me- Got
that? I'll see you through; you've
nothin' to VERY for at all. But we
can't talk here. We've got to beat 1t"
He picked up the Sphinx.
FOLLOW close after me. an keep
quiet
field path at u run passed through
another gate. crossed a stretch of
heathery common-land, and made for
q small copse at the foot of the slope.
Aim ee trotted behind silently, with IN
odd sense of relief and security. Billy
would see it through. He had said 80.
He halted by the copse, and looked
round to make sure of his bearings.
alt ought to be close handy here"
he said. "Yes-I've got it,"
He pushed on to a small bosky dell
which led into a series of old crag-
pits, masked with brambles. Aimee
wondered how he could find his way
SO confidently in the dark she had
not the remotest idea where she was.
"Wait here a minute. I'll come
back for you" said Billy.
He wheelad the Sphinx away along
a scarcely visible path. and presently
returned without 1t.
Il was fooling around here ON an
off day, first time | came to Stanhoe,"
he said. IAN l lit on something that's
goin' to be mighty useful. The old
Sphinx has got to disappear for a bit,
an you'll soon understand why. Fol-
low behind there's only room for one
at q time"
He led the way through the BRAN
bies and. pressing ahead, turned on
the light of his pocket torch eau
tiously. Aimee, c.ose at his heels,
presently found herself in the en-
rance of a sandy cave with a very
small mouth, screened by rough
ereeper and brush.
There's several of these around
here" said Billy, 'but this is one you
don't find unless you hunt for it with
a sounding pole. It's a heap quieter
spot than the high roads tonight. Sup
pose we sit down"
They seated themselves on the
powdered erag in the caves mouth.
Its time to show down our hands.
partner" said Billy. do you mind
putting me wise? Don't leave any
thing out. / want the facts"
Aimee was silent some moments.
She found it difficult to begin.
at was like this, Billy"
She plunged into the tale, and went
through 1t from beginning to end
leaving out nothing. 1t took some
time. She could hardly see Billy In
the gloom. He made no comments
he was SO silent that sometimes she
HOuucItu II lie was lueTe. DlIlY WAS.
for a time, too f~labbergasted to speak.
At the finish, she heard a stiled.
grunting noise. a sense of something
shaking. 1t seemed to touch a spring
in Aimee. She bowed her head on
her knees and laughed till her cheeks
were wet.
Haven't l torn 1t she moaned.
"And 1 downed Cousin Alexander
and the buffers got yards of my
skirt I"
Billy wiped his eyes with his sleeves.
"An' you can laugh" he said. with
intense delight, latter all thatl Gee.
but you're the stuff Sand right
through. You're all right. AS long
as you can laugh, the Red Gods'Il
stand by you'll An so will l. I'm n
of EN-"
"Billyl There's nothing but Won
between me and those beastly police.
But III bet it's enough. What's to be
aoneT'
"HeaS my side of it," said Billy,