The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-02-12
CHAPTER X-Continued

ne asked abruptly, VINO are you, Slr
Aren't you the stowaway that came
down here unbidden?"
II came down on the yacht. If you
choose to call me stowaway, all
right"
"Mr. Blake was telling me about
you," added the doctor. "Hes been
very anxious to see you. I'll summon
him."
1T isn't necessary" replied Dick.
"Hve met Mr.. Blake several times"
"I'll summon him at once"
He moved toward the door. Dick
made no attempt to detain him. 1t
opened and closed behind the man, the
lock clicking in response to the turn
of the key on the outside. Dick smiled.
On the other side he could hear
voices in an alteration. Alice Cutler
was speaking authoritatively.
''You must give me that key. doctor
at once"
II can't, Miss Cutler" replied the
other. Hes dangerous man, and
must summon Mr.. Blake"
"I'll be responsible for him." cut in
the girl: "Are you going to give me
that key%
"No, Miss Alice!" 4
There was the sound of heavy re-
treating footsteps, gradually dying
away in the distance. Then a voice
called softly through the keyhole.
"You must escape! Mr.. Blake will
be here soon."
"Don't worry about me, Miss Cut
ler," Dick called back. II can take
care of myself. overwhelmingly
81 wouldn't put too much faith in
Doctor Alster. don't believe he's
for u.s."
Dick had surveyed the outlook
through the window with just such a
possible contingency in view, and 1t
required little exertion or hazard on
his part to climb out on the roof of
the back porch and slide down one
of the pillars. Before Blake and
Doctor Alster appeared in the room
he was in the woods, watching the
window at a safe distance.
"Blake will know by this time I've
escaped from the cave" he meditated.
Therefore, he'll set McGee on my
trail again. Perhaps this time FIJI be
prepared for him."
His visit to the house had satisfied
him on two doubtful points. The first,
and what seemed the more important
to him, was that Alice Cutler had
= come to believe and trust in him. She
no longer viewed him as an enemy or
troublesome interloper. The second
point he had cleared up in his mind
was that Doctor Alster was a friend
of Blake's and in league with him.
"That means three to one against
me, not counting Marie" he reflected.
1t was noticeable that he did not in
clude Miss Cutler in this grouping,
but that was because he had person
ally assumed her burdens and intend
ed to relieve her of all responsibility.
He decided his next move was to
pay another visit to the wireless plant,
and learn If possible where the yacht
was located. There was no question
in his mind that Blake was commune
ing messages of some sort or another.
Dick remained long time watch
ing the window and the back of the
house. If any one emerged through
the doorway, he could see him in am
pie time to get away.
There was no sign of any one stir
ring about, and he finally abandoned
the watch. Retreating into the woods,
he made his way cautiously to the
beach and from there to the face of
the cliff, which offered so many ad-
vantageous hiding places.
Concealing himself in the mouth
Of small sea cave where he had a
clear view of every line of approach,
he fell to meditating upon his next
move. If he destroyed the wireless
plant, he would cut off their last
chance of getting a message ashore
or to passing vessel. On the other
hand, if he left it intact, he permitted
Blake to hatch up any sort of plot
with Captain Brent or to carry out
his original scheme.
(which" he reflected with scowl,
SIN still ignorant Of"
The minutes slipped away swiftly.
After his exertions, Dick felt tired
and sleepy. The reaction from the
excitement made him doze in catnaps.
Accusing himself from one of these,
he heard voices over his head. They
came from the top of the cliff, which
was just visible from his hiding place.
They were angry words, spoken in a
high-pitched, feminine voice.
~ saw you with her! You needn't
deny it! I'll scratch your eyes out
If you touch her again!"
1t was Marie, venting her jealousy
upon her unlucky lover. Dick smiled.
enjoying the conversation. Blake
spoke in lower, more guarded voice.
"NO I won't keen still 7" the maid