The Winslow mail., 1923-03-09

however, was perfectly well aware of
the fact Early that same morning
before setting off for Syderford, he
had observed the footprints beneath
her window, which, to a keen eye,
told plainly that Aimee had dropped
from the trellis, and later on had re-
gained her room by the same path.
Clearly the partner had made a mid
night excursion for a very definite OBJ
ject; people do not roam the country
side in the small hours for nothing.
The incident of the carriage on the
Stanhoe road puzzled Billy; he had
mentioned the carriage casually to
Mrs. Sunning-saying pothing about
the collision-and learned that it could
belong to none other than Lady Fry
thea of Jervaulx abbey. He was told
good deal about that establishment.
1t was easier to start Mrs. Summing
talking than to stop her.
Obviously, Amy had something to
fear from Jervaulx; something that
bound her to secrecy, and led her to
run risks. 1t annoyed Billy that she
should have anything to fear what
ever.
Sometimes" said Billy to himself
as the lodge gates of Jervaulx came
in sight, "a broncho filly with the
spring blood in her will get doin'
stunts an galloping among the gopher
holes. When they do that they're
liable to fall an break a cannon-bone.
It's the same with her. If she doesn't
want me, why she doesn't. But if she
does, I'm going to be right there"
He dismounted some little distance
short of the park entrance. The dark
pile of the abbey was visible, a quar-
ter Of mile across the grasslands.
Billy paused and reflected. The
journey could be nothing more than a
scouting expedition. He wished very
much that he had been closer on All
mee's tracks.
Just then he observed a light flash
out in one of the abbey windows.
Faint, tintinnabulatory sounds were
borne to him upon the night breeze
the changing of a bell.
He watched the house with alert
and thoughtful eyes. In a few mo-
ments two dim figures became visible.
moving swiftly. An imaginative on
locker might have thought them to be
COLLINS, gamboling across the sward.
But they kept an uncommonly straight
line, crossing the park and heading
for a point few hundred yards to
Billy's right. Two people-running
swiftly.
Billy followed them with his eyes,
The foremost was long-limbed, scud-
ding along with giant strides. The
other, close behind, moved no less
swiftly, but it was figure Of vague
outlines, apparently wearing cloak
or dust-coat. They vanished from
sight against the park fence where
the lane turned.
IF that amt hold-up," said Billy,
starting away from the fence, "there
never was one yet!'
He heard the cough and splutter of
a starting motorcycle under tall trees
far up the lane. For one moment he
listened, then made a dash for the
Sphinx.
"a getaway" said Billy. "My job! ="
He threw his leg over the Sphinx
and whirred off round the corner. He
lifted his chin and gave a joyous
laugh, like the bay of a hound The
lust of the hunter was in his blood.
The rider ahead, already aware that
he was being chased, let out his ma
chine at breakneck speed. The ray
from Billy's lamp showed him a man
crouching low between the handle
bars, his arms spread like the wings
of a bat. On the pillion behind
crouched a small muff1ed figure.
"Give up! shouted Billy, as he
overlook them. "You can't make it,
I've got your
A hand stretched out from the fig
ure on the pillion, and emitted bark
ing flash of fire. 1t dazzled Billy for
the moment Something tipped
through his hair; automatically his
left hand tightened on the valve-lifter
and the Sphinx slowed, allowing the
other cycle to shoot ahead.
Billy made a lurid remark, and at
once increased speed again to close
with the fugitives. Right ahead the
lane forked on to the main road, and
thither tie driver of the other cycle
was obviously heading. But the lights
of car were in sight, approaching
rapidly ON the road. The rider of the
cycle had evidently no ambition to
meet it: at the last moment he
swerved left and continued along the
narrow lane.
Billy laughed aloud.
''The guys cornered himself" he
thought. Hes taken the blind alley.
Me for him %
The lane was very rutty and uneven.
The cycle ahead had vanished round
a bend; Billy, shutting off his engine,
swung round it Immediately after
ward. AS he did so he heard a crash
Tho drivor oP tho 9th ar cvcla TnaIiz