New Britain herald., 1923-10-15
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY


 well. they're not in the attic noi yet on this floor we know that" said . voice. And Kelly and Weeks don't seem to have had any better luck dovnstaivs and the cellar"
 The sound of their voices grew fainter. Then they heard other voices raised in argument in the hall down. stairs. There was more movement. and finally the banging of the front door. The men were gone.
 Hope and Kelsey waited in that un- earthly silence for long time: some one might have been left behind, might even be in the room.
 At last, careful not 10 make the least noise. she slid back the panel and looked out.
 She made small. rustling noises opening the cracker box.
 Good thing brought a knife. I'm wise old eampaigner."
 She stihed her laughter. "oh. it's hard to spread jam in the dark. Give me your hand"
 Their fingers touched. and she laid . cracker in his palm.
 i've never tasted anything quite so good" he affirmed.
 Nor I. The crackers are musty. but 1t improves the flavor"
 You were wonderful to think of them. But you always are-the most wonderful-' His voice broke. He caught her, and held her to him crushingly You're safe--still safe. What a night" He buried his face in her hair. But they haven't got you. If they do, they'll have to kill me first"
 Her arms were about his neck, her cheek against his.
 T almost killed you with that car" she said. If had. ] shouldn't have cared if they had taken me-" She ran her light fingers over his eyes. His dear. broken head" she said tenderiy.
 "Oh.'' She drew back with a sudden. recollection. T forgot; we both forgot. That envelope those men gave us."
 She struck a match. The light i made them blink. He dipped open | the envelope.
 Liberty bonds!" with gasp. "A bunch of them.'
 She struck another match, and held 1t until it burned her fingers
 "An even hundreds thousand dol- lars" he said in an awed tone. Ten bonds of ten thousand apiece
 "A hundred thous---!' She clutched his shoulder. Why, that's my ran- som. It must be it."
 were going to get out of here" he said stoutly. They'll be search ng the woods for while yet, but .hey'll get tired of that. Then will ,e our chance to slip out Are you ,leepy?
 No; I'm too excited"
 Well, am. No sleep for two tights. and this crack over my head. Here, take my watch. and wake me t the end of an hour. Then you must sleep for the same time. We'll ieed clear heads and all our strength, 'nce we get started"
 Let me see the time" She struck : mother match. Its just eleven 'ciock. I'll wake you promptly at welve. Now go by-by."
 Kelsey stretched himself out, and he slipped a cushion under his head .lmost at once he was asleep.
 CHAPTER XX. Hope sat in the cramped dark space eside the sleeper. her chin on her rawn-up knees, her hands clasped bout them, listening to his slow, .gular breathing.
 She drew out the watch and Ianced at it's luminous dial. Only m minutes after eleven. She resumed her musings Just hen she became conscious of the ap- roach of motor. she could not tell. She debated moment whether to ake Kelsey, but deciding to make ire first that an actual danger lreatened them, she softly pushed ack the panel and slipped out into le room and over to the window. The car, speedy roadster con- ming two men, whirled in at the ,te and up the weed grown drive