The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-05-10

uo RESTORED the machine to
iair running order, and he rode awsy
oown the lane. Both lamps were ont
Of action, o1'
any further pursuit of the thieves
ne put aside as useless proposition
DE mad vague idea that thew had
gone hours ago; in fact, however. he
nao not been unconscious mora than
q few minutes.
Ihere's only ons thing to do" said
Billy, "an' that's"
disconcerting thought flashed
through his mind. The bumpinp of
the 1ewel-case against his side sup.
gested 1t.
GeeT he murmured, I'm Little
Boy Blue, all right. But If 1 was to
run against the cops now, it'd tax.
heap of explanation before thev
slugged me. My story'd look pretty
thln. -motorbike-it only
wants one item to complete the out
ntl"
ne turned on to the high road. ran
IDLY resolving on a plan Of action as
ne rode. 1t was a good plan, but
rev moments later 1t was hopelessly
upset again. He was, as it happened
nearer to, Stanhoe than to Jeryaulx
abbey, and as he turned in the direc-
ZION OF the latter Billy became aware
OF someone running toward him along
the road dark figure, with a pe
] cuiiar moving CLEAN of whiteness
about 1t. He stopped the Sphinx i'm
mediatsly and thrust out his feet to
steady himself.
The dark figure checked in It's
stride, hesitated. and seemed about
to bolt back again.
"Partnerr' cried Billy In amaze
ment. 'Ts that your"
The reply was wild gasp. Aimee.
breathless. muddy, with an appre-
ciable breadth of white cambric show
Ing at the base of her skirt, rushed
up to him and seized his arm.
Billy! Oh, I'm so glad-Tm so
glad" she painted. BILLY. Pm in
an awful mess! The absolute limit ~
How! Why?"
Il was in a house-and 1t was
burgled"-gulped Aimee, struggling
for breath they thought 1t was me
and scooted-they're chasing me-"
1t was not vividly lucid explana-
tion. But Billy's intelligence depart
ment connected with 1t at once; II
supplied the missing factors. Before
ne could answer, pair Of lights
flashed into view far down the road.
approaching at speed.
Carr exclaimed Aimee and with
a note of panic-"Billy. suppose it's
police2 If so, they'll be looking for
me" She made dash for the pill
lion of the Sphinx. "Get me out OF
this, Billy-start her quick!'
mot on your life!" said Billy swift
ly. That's the last thing on earth
for you now. Come with me-"
He ran back fifty yards along the
road to a field gate. In few mo-
ments he had 1t open, thrust the
Sphinx through, let her fall behind
the hedge. and dragged Aimee with
him into the ditch. They had hardly
gained that cover when the car swept
by with a roar, showing glimpse of
police helmets scudding past the low
rampant Of thorn fence. The majesty
Of law and order, sweeping inexorably
through the night. A rattle, boot,
and 1t was gone.
In the ditch there was painful ST.
lence Billy mechanically felt his
bulging pocket, glanced for q moment
at the Sphinx, and then starsd blankly
at Aimee.
"Close call, partner" he observed.
II thought 1t must be they" said
Aimee breathlessly. II wonder they
haven't called out thu military as well.
All the countryside seems to be chas-
ing me! Billy" she said. with sus-
picious tremble in her voice. you'll
help me, won't you? I'll tell you about
It. live kept it from you. but
won't any longer. L"
Billy laid a hand on har 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
uothin, to worry for at all. But we
can't talk here. We've got to beat It,"
He picked up the Sphinx.
"Follow close after me. an keep
quiet"
He wheeled the machine along the
aeld path at run, passed through
another gate, crossed stretch OF
heathery common-land. and made for
a small copse at the foot Of the slope.
Aimse trotted behind silently, with an
odd sense Of relief and security. Billy
would see 1t through. He had said so.
He halted by the copse, and looked
round to make sure of his bearings.
at ought to be close handy hers'
he said. "Yes-Tve got It,"
He pushed on to 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 mao
not the remotest idea where she was.