The Dolores star., 1923-08-03

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same
"They may not" Aimee, very pale
looked at the fugitive. Don't you
think" she said, "that II you got clenr
this time. you mIght-drop 1t anf Try
dlfrerentf
Il might" said Kate slowly. But
they'll get me-"
She caught sight OF the Flying
Sphinx. standing in the dim light AT
the caves end.
whats thatr she exclaimed. and
moved swiftly to the machine. Aimee
watched her.
You couldn't ride It," said Aimee,
mot even II the way was clear
IT can ride anything with an engine
TO IT." said kate desperately. There
was CLEAN OF hope in the hunted
eyes; already her hands were busy
with the levers: searching, examining.
But she stopped. bafIied. The controls
of the Sphinx were too much for her
The next moment Aimee was beside
her.
That's the throttle!" said Aimee
swiftly. Here's the starter - this
changes the gear-you have to be
careful with the intake. On the sec
ond speed she goes over the toughest
ground like a bird-on the level road
she'll do eighty. II you could get her
out clear Of the hushes-but you'd
never get away with it"
The woman turned to her, gasplng.
ta, try-,'' ghn ~
claimed.
1t was then that shock OF revul-
sion came over Aimee. This was the
female rattlesnake who had nearly
killed Billy, and caused all the trouble.
why should Aimee feel pity7 The
broken man in the hands OF the po
lice
A rustic among the bushes at the
caves mouth made the two women
turn quickly. De Jussnc stepping in
side, halted and stared blankly at
them both.
"Ten thousand devIlsi" exclaimed
Bertrand, momentarlly startled out OF
politeness.
You needn't be frightened for me-"
said Aimee quickly shell do me no
harm"
Bertrands active brain took In the
situation briefly.
"No harm!" he said. "Name of
name! If the police found you here
with that!''
Aimee turned very white. That as
pect Of the case had not even occurred
to her. In the stress of new emotions.
the realization of danger to herself
Ind been crowded out. If she had to
explain to the police
Yes" said Aimee quietly. 'If they
come here-Im done for"
The strident voice of Inspector Ark
wright was heard, very close at hand.
Monsieur de Jussac pushed his way
out through the brambles and re-
gained the open air. The three police
men together were converging towards
the spot.
Another cave there" cried Inspec-
tor Arkwright. II thought so. This
way, Panke!"
De Jussac halted before the en-
trance. and. selecting a cigarette from
his case, lit It deliberately.
You may save yourself the trouble.
Inspector" he said amlnbly. There
Is nothing here"
Arkwright hesitated.
Are you certainT' he said, coming
forward again.
II have proved It," said Bertrand,
"at much expense to my skin. Curse
these brlars,"
"All right" said Arkwrlght. turning
away; push on and search the other
END, Panke No use wasting time
here. think we're on a fools errand
after ALL"
The three police passed out of sight
round the bend Of the pits. There
was long pause. Aimee's face peered
cautiously through the branmbles.
what fearful liar you are, VI
comtel" she said with mingled re-
morse and admiration.
Bertrand. without turning bowed
gravely.
Il do my best" he murmured, ain
defense of lady with such n genius
49, S'bs''S But lpt
me beg OF you to remain where you
are"
Are the police out of sight? ?" said
Aimee eagerly.
For the present, yes. They are
away round the corner-all three. But
they may come back"
A moments silence followed the
warning. Then the brambles parted.
and the Flying Sphinx came thrustiny
through. Kate was beside 1t, her
hands gripping the bars. her face
white and strained. her teeth tight set
She gave swift glance to either side
and began to run the machine down
the slope.
De Jussac, with an amazed excla-
nation. turned to intercept her. He
found n hand OBTAINING him; Aimee
had gripped him by the arm.