The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-07-10
CHAPTER w
Quick Decisions.

Mutteflng Wratn1ully TO hlmSelf,
Henry Archman strode out of the
Grant cottage and sprang into his car
Nellie Archman, though as much eX-
erclsed as her father, both by the ac-
cusations he had brought against Miss
Grant and by the as yet unexplained
presence of Carr, and his ambiguous
admissions, yet fingered for a moment
TO take a formal leave. Conventions
bind women more tightly than they do
men.
81 am sorry" she said. 81 cannot
believe that father is justified in
speaking as he did. I am sure he will
tell you so himself later, and will
thank you for your efforts to enable
him to hear what Mr.. Morbach wanted
to say. Goodnight"
Edith bowed. "Thank you, Miss
Archman," she said gratefully This
is not the time nor the place for ex-
plantations, but / can assure you that
your faith is not misplaced. Good
night"
As Nellie came out of the door Arch
man called to her impatiently. Get
in here, Nellie" he ordered sharply.
akin can follow in your car. I want
to talk to you"
Nellie obeyed in silence. She ex-
pected her father to refer to the
scenes at the cottage and she was
ready and indeed curious to listen and
learn.
Arphmnn hnrnxrn,. 1fconnnfnfaI
He threw over the lever and the auto
mobile leaped away like live thing,
splitting space like a hand-guided
cannon ball. No swifter could it have
gone had its driver been possessed by
the seven devils of Scripture. No man
could drive at such a pace and spare
any attention to anything else. Nell
lie knew 1t and settled herself back to
wait
Not till the gates of his big stone
mouse were reached did Archman
slacken speed and turn to the girl.
I'm going to take you on trip with
me, Nellie" he said. 1--WE start in an
hour. Pack suitcase with what you
need most. We don't take any
trunks"
Nellie's eyes widened. Good gra-
cious! Father" she began.
Il can't discuss the matter. It's an
emergency. Get ready!"
But, father, where are we going?
When will ge be back?"
God knows. Not for weeks, GER
talnly."
Nellie's face blanched. II can't go
away like that, father" she protested.
You must go. You heard the doc
tors version of Morbach's message.
You are the girl am to bring. There's
no time to lose. l must get you there
before he dies"
Before who dies?" demanded the
girl
Il can't tell you now 1t would take
100 long. Besides, I am not sure my
self And it Is his secret, not mine.
The matter is imperative. Get ready
at once"
Archman's tones had lost their ir-
ritability. They were subdued, and
even solemn. Nellie's protest died on
her lips. Never before had she seen
her father awe-stricken.
The car rolled up to the steps of
the house. Archman stopped 1t and
Jumped out and helped Nellie to de-
Sccnd, Hurry, daughter" he said.
lhen he turned to the footman who
zane Fastening out. Leave the car
mere James," he ordered. "Fills the
gas tank and see that it's in good
Snape, I'll want it again tonight
ne turned and hurried into the house
INTO which Nellie had already pre-
reded him.
Tess met him at the steps. "Oh. fa-
Ih'r' she cried "What's It all
ahout?"
Archman half paused. Il can't talk
now Bess," he answered, as he passed.
ASK Akin. He's just behind. Or ask
Ne'lie. She'll want you to help her