Evening star., 1923-02-10
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
CONTINUED From Yesterdays star)


steps then set off in the direction
taken by the cab he had sent away.
Rennison motioned to TowndroW,
who quickly reached his side.
Hes probably footing it for an
other machine which Is waiting for
him somewhere around here" Rem
nison said I'll walk after him.
Give me time to reach the next cor
ner. then come after me In the cao.
Explain to the driver who you are
and direct him to cover TINS olock
Towndrow nodded. Rennison quick
Iy turned the corner and started
after Horsford.
The assistant secretary, after cross
ing the next street, kept on. Rem
nison, confident that Towndrow. in
the slow-moving, darkened taxfcab,
would keep him in view. followed
When the next street was reached
Horsford turned to the right. Renni-
son quickened his pace. Just as ne
rounded the corner he saw hcrsforo
stepping into large touring car
Rennison, hurrying back, drew out
q pocket lamp and flashed it toward
the cab that had been following him.
In a few moments the cab came up
and halted. Rennison leaped into IT.,
and after a few words of instruction
to the driver he seated himself beside
Towndrow. The headlights were
flashed on again and the chase was
begun.
uneventful. Despite the lateness of the
hour. many automobiles were moving
on the city thoroughfares, but the
driver OF Rennfson's cab had little
difficulty in keeping in view the car
IN which his passengers were inter-
ssted. Not for moment did Renni-
son or Towndraw relax his vigilance
as the pursuit led eastward and
northeastward by turns.
Not until Washington was behind
them and their cab was passing
taorush Hyattsville did the pursuers
breathe easily. however. In their
rainds there now was little doubt that
the car ahead of them was setting
straight course along the system of
highways paraileling the line Of the
railroad between Hyattsville and Bal
timore.
The storm which had been threaten
ing for several hours now seemed
about to break. Moon and stars were
Invisible and the atmosphere, which
had been humid throughout the day,
was becoming fresher. a nortaeriy
breeze was stirring branches which
Tor many hours had been motion1ess.
In directing Coughlin to obtain a
taXicab instead of a touring car. Rem
Gison had in view the greater degree
OF privacy 1t assured. With the " in
dow back of the chauffeur closed. con-
versation with Towndrow could not
be overheard. Satisfied that the driv-
err was keeping the leading car in
view, Rennison now closed the will
dow.
well captain. what's the same7'
Towndrow asked.
IT'S a continuation OF the one
which took US to the Weymouthshire." +"
Eennison replied. Il have reason to
believe the man we are following is
heading for a Seafalcon rendezvous
IN or near Baltimore"
Great heaven. Rennison" cx-
claimed the startled secret serv ice
iGan. "Horsford? 1t is impossible:"
You would have said the same
thing OF Reifsnyder six hours ago"
Eennison reminded him.
"True-but--but how long have
mean to say we were working to-
yether on the Claiming case under
the direction of confederate OF Sea-
falcon?"
1T looks like it now"
And you gave to him the papers
YOU recovered?"
NO, Towndrow. Those I gave 20
l:iin may deceive him for a time. but
except in appearance, they have moth
ing in, common with the originals"
"But you did recover the originals"
"Oh. yes. They are safely placed.
however. 1t is certain they will no,
be in Baltimore tonight"
Towndrow was about to speak
"ntn l0eTS was h SuQOen HaEn OF
lightning, closely followed byta sharp
crack OF thunder. The cab was slow
ing down. Both passengers, leaning
forward. lowered the window and
protested against the slackening pace
CHAPTER XIV.
A sTORI-sWEPT TRAIL.
why are you stopping here?" de-
nanded Rennison as the automobile
stopped under a wide-spreading ma
pie tree at one side of the road.
The chauffeur switched off the
lights OF the car. and Rennison and
Towndrow heard him swearing
lightning flashed again as he turned
in his seat.
whats ahead of US is going to be
work for a submarine, not taxi"
grumbled the man. This storm is GO
ing TO make it case of submerging.
Them feIlers ahead of us have stopped
to get down storm covers and make
everything snug for a stiff blow and
driyin' rain"
Looking ahead. Rennison and
Towndrow saw the man had spoken
truthfully. About two hundred and
fifty yards distant they made out the
red tail-light of an automobile. which
was standing at the right side of the
roadway.
'1'his amt the first time I've driven
for you secret service fellers" the
chauffeur went on. i've never had
you're all alike in your ways You
don't trust nobody what wants 70
help you. You think the only way
to get thing done is to do 1t your
selves. But. take 1t from me: gents.
there amt a man In washington
that's got better eye than Sam Gu
lick when 1t comes to trailin' an auto
even when it's stickin' to crowded
streets. There's a certain private de-
tective agency that's kept me pretty
busy at this sort OF game. I'm no
amateur"
THAT assurance Is good enough for
me, Sam" laughed Rennison. I'm
glad chance led US to 4 live wire.
Satisfied that you are all OF that, Ill
tell you. in confidence, you are work
ing tonight on one of the biggest
cases with which the secret service
ever has had TO do. The three Of Us
must do our utmost"
.art1v m on He s1 pauzes ea'ea ;nen ssees
'They won't shake me off, but we've got
to be careful not to run past them, IL
they slow down after roundin'
curve If they get an idea they're
likely to do-so they can see who is
tn the car behind them. Once they do
that, it's goin to be hard to fall in
behind again. without excitin' sus-
picion.'
you are perfectly right. Sam"
Rennison replied approvingly.. I'VE
must be careful Of that, OF course"
Drops of water now began to patter
on the cover of the taxicab. which
was shaken by a fierce rush of wind.
ITS Off again! Gulick muttered as
ha once more grasped the wheel.
Gulick put on the power and the
cab moved forward slowly. A sharp
crack of thunder followed an excep-