The Dolores star., 1923-12-28
CHAPTER xV-continued.


The Russian was shaking with rage.
The hotel servants surrounded them.
A cry hovered on his lips, but at the
last minute his nerve failed him. The
American was 4 man Of his word.
When they reached the car. Julius
breathed sigh OF relief. The danger
zone was passed. Fear had success
fully hypnotized the man by his side
Get In" he ordered. "Georgew
The chauffeur turned his head.
81 want TO go to Gatehouse In
Kent. Know the road at all?''
Yes, sir; II Will be about an hour
and half's run
Make 1t an hour. I'm In a hurry"
IN do my best sir" The car shot
forward through the traffic.
Julius ensconced himself comfort
ably by the side cf his victim. He
kept his hand in the pocket Of his
coat. but his manner was urbane to
the last degree.
Slowing down, the chauffeur called
over his shoulder that they were just
coming INTO GatehOuse. Julius bade
the Russian direct them. His plan
was to drive straight up to the house.
There Kramenin was TO ask for the
two girls. Julius explained to him
that Little Willie would not be toll
Grant of failure. Kramenin. by this
time, was as putty in the others
hands.
The car swept up the drive. and
stopped before the porch. The chauf-
Turn the car first. George. Then
ring the bell. and get back to your
place. Keep the engine going, and be
ready to scoot like HI when / give
the word"
VERY good, sir"
The front door was opened by the
butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of
the revolver against his ribs.
"Now." hissed Julius. And be
careful"
The Russian beckoned His lips
were white. and his voice was not
very steady.
1T is I-Kramen.n! Bring down
the girl at once! There is no time
to lose"
Wilmington had come down the
steps. He uttered an exclamation of
astonishment at seeing the other.
I'VE have been betrayed, Plans
must be abandoned. We must save
our own skins. The girl! And at
once, It's our only chance"
Wilmington hesitated, but for hard
ly a moment.
You have orders-from him?"
Naturally Should be here 9TH
erwise? Hurry! There is no time
TO be lost The other little fool had
better come too"
Wilmington turned and ran back
into the house. The agonizing min
utes went by. Then-two figures has
tily huddled in cloaks appeared on the
steps and were hustled into the car
The smaller of the two was inclined
to resist and Wilmington showed her
in unceremoniously. Julius leaned
forward. and in doing so the light
from the open door lit up his face
Another man on the steps behind
Wilmington gave startled exclama-
tion. Concealment was at an end.
Get q move on. George" shouted
Julius.
The chauffeur slipped in his clutch
and with bound the car started.
The man on the steps uttered an
oath. His hand went into his pocket
There was a fash and report The
bullet just missed the taller girl by
an inch.
Get down. Jane" cried Julius.
1ot hnf Of
you all right, Tuppence?"
"Of course am Where's Tommy?
What made them let us go?" demand
ed Tuppence.
II reckon Monsieur Kramenin here
asked them so prettily they just
couldn't refusel"
This was too much for the Russian.
He burst out vehemently:
Curse you-curse you! They know
now that betrayed them. NV life
won't be safe for an hour in this
country"
That's So assented Julius. "rd
advise you to make tracks for Russia
right away"
Let me go. then" cried the other.
81 have done what you asked"
Sure thing. Pull up, George. The
gentlemans not making the return
trip. II ever come to Russia, Mon
sieur Kramenin. shall expect rous-
ing welcome, and"
But before Julius had finished his
speech, and before the car had finally
halted. the Russian had swung him
self out and disappeared into the
night.
Annette and I didn't know what
was going to happen to u.s. said
Tuppence. "Old Wilmington hurried
us of. We thought it was lambs to
the slaughter"
Annette" said Julius 'Ts that
what you call her?"
His mind seemed to be trying to
adjust itself to new Idea.