The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-02-21

the wreck :" he exclaimed. They
couldn't have seen me get itf'
He dropped on one knee, opened the
case, and switched the little electric
torch over it.
Billy gave a stiied gasp. On a bed
of cream silk velvet reposed d neck
lace of amethysts, ending in a loop
of nine superb emeralds that shone
with changing green fires under the
toreh's glow. Billy was not an expert
in gems, but he guessed that these
were such as a prince might be proud
to own.
This Is the darnedest game 1 eyer
was up against" he aid dazedly, re
turning the case carefully 10 his
pocket.
He made a rapid examination Of the
Sphinx. and at once became aware
of Calamity Hates handiwork. In
spite of the best intentions, however.
that enterprising lady had oyeresti-
mated the yulnerability both Of Bllly's
skull and his motorcycle. She had
done some damage, but had missed
the more vital parts of the Sphinx.
After ten minutes work Billy's ca
pable hands restored the machine to
fair running order, and ne rode away
down the lane. Both lamps were out
of action.
Any further pursuit of the thieves
he put aside as a useless proposition.
He had a vague idea that they had
gone hours ago: in fl however. he
had not been unconscious more than
a few minutes.
There's only one thing to do" said
Billy, AN that's"
A disconcerting thought flashed
through his mind. The humping of
the jewel-case against his side sug-
gested It.
Gee" he murmured. I'm Little
Boy Blue. all right. But If I was to
run against the cops now, ito take
a heap of explanation before they
slugged me. My story'd look pretty
thin. Jewel-case-motorbike-it only
wants one item to complete the out
fit !"
He turned on to the high road. rap
idly resolving on a plan of action rs
he rode. 1t was a good plan. but a
few moments later it was hopelessly
upset again. He was. as it happened.
nearer to Stanhoe than to Jervaulx
abbey. and as he turned in the direc-
ton of the latter Billy became aware
of someone running toward him along
the road-a dark figure, with a pc
culiar moving CLEAN of whiteness
about it. He stopped the Sphinx i'm
mediataly and thrust out his feet to
steady himself.
The dark figure checked in its
stride, hesitated, and seemed about
to bolt back again.
partner" cried Billy In maze
ment. rs that you?"
Tie reply was a wild gasp. Aimee.
b~reathless, muddy. with an appre-
ciable breadth of white cambria show
ing at the base of her skirt, rushed
up TO him and seized his arm.
Billy Oh, I'm so glad-I'm so
glad she painted. BILLY. Pm in
an awful mess, Thu absolute limit p
"Howl why?"
81 was in a house-and it was
burgl ad"-gulped Aimee, struggling
for breath they thought it was me-
and l seooted-they're chasing me-"
It was not a wildly lucid explana-
ton. But Billy's Intelligence depart
ment connected with it at once II
supplied the missing factors. Before
he could answer, a pair Of lights
flashed into view far down the road.
approaching at speed.
Car" exclaimed Aimee. and with
a note of panic-"Billy. suppose it's
police? If so. they'll be looking for
me - She made "a dash for the pill
lion of the Sphinx. Get me out of
this. Billy-start her quickl"
Not on your llfe!" said Billy swift
". 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 a few mo-
ments he had it 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 a 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, a boot,
and it vas gone.
In the ditch there was painful ST.
lence. Billy mechanically felt his
bullying pocket, glanced for a moment
at the Sphinx. and then stared blankly
IT Aimee.