Evening star., 1924-12-07


| tank-did not occur to either.
Nancy was relishing his disconifi-
ture too much to think of remedies
AS for Wig. he, as always, was too ir-
ritated by her to think clearly or
consecutively He was not, in other
words, himself.
II can stop some passing automo.
bile" he suggested.
But you can't tell until you've
stopped it whether 1t belongs to a
bootlegger or a hi-jacker." she re-
minded him. And supposing it was
hi-jacker and he stuck one of those
sawed-off shotguns under Wiggy s
nose"
he snapped.
so I've suspected. But it's so per-
fectly descriptive that 1 can't help it.
He swallowed something but said
nothing. Whereupon she added
MY feet are cold and I'm hun
cry
I'm sorry But doubt If there is
a house within 10 miles
"Look" she interrupted. Isn't that
road just ahead? See--there are
tracks coming out of tt
ITS probably only a logging
road"
I'm going to find out. Anything Is
better than standing here. You can
stay or follow as you choose"
But of course he stayed only long
enough to cover his engine and then
he started after her. The snow
swirled around them, the wind was
searching and bitter cold. Speech was
difficult, but presently he essayed 1t.
You might better have stayed by
the car" he said. This isn't even a
road really. You would never have
discovered it If it hadn't been for
these tracks. They will lead us on
for miles and dump us nowhere"
He paused abruptly. Logic and
reason were with him, as always, but
tonight fate was not.
"Truly?" she Knocked. Am l still a
contentious woman-or is that ngn'
shining in the wilderness?
They had come upon 1t suddenly
almost eerily.
The snow 'obscured all but the light,
but they realized shortly it was set
in a window. A moment later Nancy
discovered a front door.
Wait a minute" he protested
ca itching her arm as she raised 1t to
knock. Il don't like the looks of
this place
Il do" she retorted, and, freeing
her arm, proceeded to knock. Don
worry. I'll take care of you' Wigsy
wear!"
i :: r ::
THE isolation of the house and the
reputation the locality bore cried
aloud for caution. Yet:
Perhaps" he suggested, they
didn't hear you"
nd he Lipl he VIGOROUSLY.
You do that" she commented, as
if you wish it were t.
This he let pass. Footsteps were
approaching. A bolt was drawn and
the front door swung open.
1T took you long enough" growled
a voice in the dark.
That" retorted Wig. lis just what
we were thinking about you"
The door would have slammed in
their faces if he had not moved fast.
"Oh. no, you don't, my friend" he
said, and thrust himself in.
The wind. like a giant hand. thrust
the door inward upon its hinges. The
hall was pitch dark, yet electric with
the echoes of struggle. These en-
dured but for a second that seemed
an eternity, reaching a climax in a
mighty roar OF pain.
Then came Wigs voice, calm and
lrnperluGDdDls, restoring pTedln 10
Nancy. transfxed on the threshold.
Now just hold still, my friend, un-
til the lady gets a lamp" he advised.
And added to Nancy, Bring that
lamp from the window in the other
room, please"
She managed to achieve this,
though the blast from the front door
almost extinguished il, for her pains.
Go back" said Wig quickly. Just
keep that lamp burning and we'll fol-
low"
And as she retreated he propelled
his prisoner before him into what
might be called living room. AS
wig kicked the door closed behind
him, she caught her first adequate
glimpse of their inhospitable host.
oh" she gasped, involuntarily, for
he looked-well, simply awful was
the best she could manage. descrip-
lively. Wig knew what manner of
man he was dealing with. But of
that there was no hint in his voice
when he smoke.
First down for Harvard" he COM
mented. please put the lamp on the
table and then remove from this gen