, 1923-03-05
be waiting outside for Forester to
reappear.

DO waiting outside for Forester to
reappear.
1t flashed through his mind what
a simple matter it would be for him
to notify the police and have them
ready when he started out!
Mother" he said. how did you
pan to go home. did not sec the
ear outside when I came in
mo- explained Mrs. FORE ter. at
was such a pleasant evening we
thought it would be good for us to
walk home"
at Is not at all nice out now" said
Forester. "A heavy fog has come
up. l think I'd better call a taxi
cab.
Forester went to the telephone up-
tairs. ordered a taxicab and then call
ee police headquarters He briefly
explained who he was. what a oc-
CURED On his walk over. and sug-
gested that they watch for the
strange car as he returned home.
Leave the house in exactly fifteen
minutes instructed the mar at head
quarters. land Wen be ready for
you"
Later as Forester assisted his
mother down the steps he could make
out nothing saw the taxicab at the
curb. Just as he was giving the ad-
dress to the taxi driver a small man
OF slight build appeared out of the
fog. stopped quite near him and lit
a cigarette. Aside from noting the
mans build and the fact that he wore
a cap and had very dark hair. For
roster could make out no other de
tails.
They reached Bellevue Place
without incident and there appeared
to be no n around as they left the
cab. but Forrested. after his mother
and sister lac gone into the house,
fingered for a moment in the dark
doorway.
He could hear the hum of the taxi
cabs engine as It passed down the
street toward the Lake Shore drive.
Othrewiss the night was silent.
Their suddenly he heard the oar
Of opened muff;ers in the other di-
rection and the next instant two
black shapes passed swiftly by thru
the fog. Red flashes leaped out Of the
darkness and sharp reports resound-
ed through the street as they passed
the door.
1.-THE police are on the jobl' ex-
uited Forester.
lie hastily stepped inside and clos
ed the door. for his army experience
had shown him the danger of stray
bullets.
Before he retired Forester sought
information from the police by tele-
phone. The voice at the other end
OF the wire was apo,ogetic.
Sorry, Mr.. Forester. but the men
got away from us. Any other kind
of night we would have had them
sure.
our men were sure that their bull
lets struck the car. After giving up
the chase they spent half the night
on the West Side trying to locate an
automobile with bullet holes but were
unsuccessful"
Forester ordered his roadster sent
around to tho house. He planned to
visit the oak tree in Jasper Lane.
The surrounding Country appeared
lonely and deserted at the point
where Jasper Lane branched off from
Sheridan Road. In this locality there
were pnig idll1 tbliAtH XIV NoNAAlN
tracts OF land. all heavily wooded.
He did not need any special guide TO
locate the great oak rec" for its
gigantic form lowered above all the
other trees in the neighborhcod. He
turned his car to the opposite side
OF the road. stopped his engine. and
Inspected the tree.
The trunk. which was fully six feet
In diameter, rose TO a height OF about
fifteen feet, al which point It branch
cd into two parts. 1t occurred to him
that the space thus formed would
make a roomy and comfortable perch
from which to keep n watch over my
thing that might take place at tho
tree. lie strobe across tho road TO
take n closer view. Tho tree stood
back from Il rond n few feet and an
open grass covered soHce surrounded
II FOR a distance OF about ton feot.