The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-08

Kendrick avoided the main streets of Monte Carlo and at the western end of the town l0osed the great car. Be side him Jules shivered and whimpered. Kendrick, natless, infhis evening clothes, did not seem to feel the spearheads of the winds as they sliced back past the windshield, curled and smotej at back and sides with the cars rush.
 Kendrick had a rough idea of the road to Bareges, and of the great dis tance the place lay from Monte Carlo, and he wondered how Brunei would accomplish it, with Elise in captivity. It was, he estimated, between 400 and 500 miles, and, of course, it could be done at one stretch if only the car lasted. There was no such thing as speed limit.
 He snapped question at Jules. What car was Monsieur Brunei driving?"
 "The Isotta Fraschini, monsieur
 "The enclosed oney'
 "Yes, monsieur
 "And how long has he. been goneT
 An hour, monsieur"
 Hendricks jaw tightenes. All things being equal, he. could not hope to over take him before the castle was reached. He estimated that he himself, unless he broke down, would reach the chateau Tortmain about this same hour on the following night.
 Brunei, he conceived, would avoid all towns and villages, but this did not of necessity mean that he would travel farther. That the ruffian knew the, country. as he knew his own .Parisian bouleyaEds, Kendrick was certain.
 Curiously enough, the usefulness of. the telephone and telegraph did not enter his head. The crisis had stripped him of all the. veneer of. civilization.
 Of that ride Jules ever afterwards had ~but the haziest memories, and those were of terror. The corners were moments of sheer shrieking torment. Though Jules appreciated it not, Ken drick handled. her that night like a racing crack, breaking a worlds record for speed.
 Kendrick said no word. In the light of the dashlight Jules could see the knuckles of his hands standing out hard and white, as he gripped the tugging, polished steering wheel. He touched neither gear nor hand brake through. all the jorrney, and his only movements were of hands and foot on the acceler- ator and that foot brake.
 The hours passed.
 Behind them, above the eastern edge, pale primrose flooded all the skies. Kendrick spoke his first words since they left Monte Carlo.
 We breakfast at a quiet auberge. If you attempt to get away, if you open your mouth, I'll hand you to the gendarmerie for complieity in the mur- der of Mordac. Understand?
 Jules sobbed. The car was breaking him. t.t5.>
 They took coffee and rolls several -hurs later, and as he swallowed his portion, Kendrick ran hastily over the ear, replenished the petrol tank and directed that more water should be put into the radiator. It was a thing he had forgotten up at Mordac's villa. He reekoned she would make the jour- ney without mishap or breakdown.
 In quarter of an hour they were on again.
 The evening was sliding down on them. To their left front, rearing, im- mense, snowcaps turned to purple and red, lay the Pyrennes, barricading the distance like wall built by Titan.
 It was the last stage. Night was down on them.
 The road was lifting now, lifting and lifting. For the first time Kendrick dropped a gear.
 Above them, high like a star, little twinkling light showed against the blackneSs. Dim, before the cobalt, Ken drick had glimpse of turret and tower.
 Jules clutched his arm, croaking, hardly able to speak.
 Monsieur 1" He was half laughing, half crying. Monsieur! the chateau Tortman l! The chateau Tortman!"
 Chapter 64-SpOil
 Ages had passed. Aeons had dropped back into the gulf of things forgotten. All life was staggering anG lurching on a black sea of utter chaos. Elise strove to remember There had been the. room and the fight but, first before the fight Brunei. This was Brunei beside her now. Brunei, who hung to the wide steering wheel.
 She could picture the room very clearly. It was a beautiful room and there was beautiful view from its windows. She had been alone with Brunei.
 , No-it was, Mordac. Of course, it was Mordac Brunei had come after wards--when the fight began. It was Mordac. He had insulted her-gross- ly. Then the door was flung open and Brunei rushed in-Brunel and Lolette.
 And the rest?
 The road was coming swiftly, to- wards them. The big car seemed to travel easily. It was broad daylight and beautiful.
 How they had fought Brunei and Mordac. That had been terror, indeed. She knew she had erouched in cor ner, watching.
 Mordac had got the gun from the drawer. She had known all through the fight that the gun was there, for he had told her of its presence before l the others arrived. The gun was to be used to threaten herself.
 AIordac had got the gun agA she had stopped Her ears for its eS losion. ] She would ever remember Kennel