The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-07

oDeCf1AEtH AfAla IlAlIR 3.
said Aimee desperately. What am
to do? If orly I'd told BifIyl But
even he .7ouldn's be able to do any
thing here"
She paced the floor of the cave.
The bottom had dropped out of the
entire scheme of things. Then her
face Lit up with a CLEAN of hope. and
she stopped short, thinking swiftly.
| "There might be time. IT'S fright
fully risky. But if l don't try it I'm
done for"
She buttoned up the dust-cloak with
nimble fingers.
"As well be hung for a sheep as q
lamb" said Aimee.
She left the cave, ran up TO the
crest of the crag-pit, and looked round
cautiously. Then she picked up the
skirts of the dust-cloak and scudded
ere the common like a hare.
The Panhard ~luggage-car from Jer-
yaulx wound its way through the
lanes, with Mr.. William Spencer at
the steering-wheel, clad in a dark
green uniform overcoat with brass
buttons. The time was 5:15 p. m.
The Panhard was running badly. In
spite of Billy's overhaul, two of the
cylinders misfired; presently the car
stopped with a cough and splutter.
Billy, using blood-curdling language
anent the profligate Mr.. Boxall, late
chauffeur of Jervaulx abbey, got down
and opened the bonnet. 1t took him
several minutes to start the Panhard
again, and when finally he arrived at
Stanhoe railway station, the train
from Burnt Ash was alongside the
platform.
A painfully obvious policeman in
plain clothes was lounging in the sta
ton approach. He did not waste a
second glance on Billy the driver of
the Jervaulx abbey car had no inter-
est for him. Billy, anxious to pick up
his passenger. the disastrous parlor
maid, hurried onto the platform.
He sighted his quarry at once. A
young in a cheap black tight
fitting coat was standing by the lug
gage-van. Baggage checks are I'M
known in England. A tin trunk was
hurled out of the van by a blind, In
visible force, and Billy, approaching
the passenger. raised his peaked cap
politely.
Are you for Jervaulx abbey?" ne
asked.
The young woman turned round.
I'm the new parlor maid.. she said
primly in broad Eastshlre dialect.
You might carry my box for me. II
that amt too heavy"
Billy's head swan. His fingers
opened, and feeldy closed again. His
eyes bulged.
1t was Aimee. Aimee in a black
oat over a print dress, and sensible
boots. Her bronze hair was drawn
straight back and plated into a re-
spectacle knob, her eyes were prefer
naturally solemn,
They passed out. Billy took his
place at the wheel, Aimee seated her
self beside him.
Ill oil hClCs Snc SdIu SeTtllGfN.
land you car tell me about, the place
as we 60, What's It like? They say
her ladyship is something chronic"
Billy glanced at her dazedly. and let
in the clutch. The transit of Stanhoe
was made at something over the
speed limit. When clear of the town.
Billy gave the coughing Panhard a full
throttle and roared along the J~ervaulx
road. He did not look at Aimee, who
was staring straight in front of her.
Billy switched the car down a narrow
lane, covered by overarching trees,
and stopped the engine. He turned to
face Aimee.
Partner" he said, what in thun-
der does this mean?"
Aimee looked at him, and dissolved
into spasms of laughter.
what do you think of 1t, Billy?'
she said. aren't. | the complete Amy
Snooks?"
at don't go" said Billy. almost
fiercely. Let me in on this. What
have you been doing?"
you lell me InlS morning, i
remembered something positively aw-
full. Dad was coming here this after
noon-at five o'clock"
Billy whistled with dismay.
"The police business had driven 1t
right of my head. And I couldn't
consult you. I thought the only
thing was TO get to Scroope Towers
and try to put it right. 1 knew there
was a train about ten at Stanhoe. and
I started for the station. But I never
got there"
'.Thank the powers you didn't" said
Billy fervently. All the stations are
watched. You'd never have passed
through alone without getting pulled
by the cops"
well, the train wasn't necessary.
A car overlook me on the road
driven by a young man. He pulled
up and offered me a lift"
"Ohi" said Billy.
"He was quite a good sort. Inclined