Evening star., 1926-10-17

ION a tramp from Chidford," he
answered. Your escort found us on
the edge of the moor. Something
seems to have terrified you both.
When you feel better / should like
you to tell me about it,
She clutched at his arm.
1T was nothing,% she declared fever
ishly-'nothing at ALL
He stopped short. They were close
small, black object making a wide
detour round the moor, stumbling on
for while and then hiding-the
young man, Aarons.
But there was something" he per-
sisted. THE young man was terrified.
A wild man. he said, who came out
of the ground and stopped you both"
1T was just his story" she replied.
Il was angry with him because he
tried to be familiar. I told him to CO.
and he went, and then suddenly felt
faint"
Goade was silent for moment. The
girl was bad liar, but what con-
cerned him most at the moment was
curiosity as to her motives.
IT'S lone spot" he observed, lone
might easily find hiding place there"
She shivered.
"Why should any one in these parts
want to hide?" she demanded in low
tone. There isn't a village for miles"
Some one is hiding there at the
present moment" he said quietly.
How do you know" she asked with
a sort Of beathlessness which almost
ckoked her words.
"Well, for one thing" he told her,
"the heather just in frCnt had been
pushed on one side and broken down
by some one passing in and out. There
was the imprint Of mans footstep
close to the opening, a burnt match,
stop! she interrupted. "There is
no one there. I am sure there is no
one there. It was Mr.. Aarons who lit
a match and whose footmark you
saw"
He looked along the track toward
the rapidly approaching figure.
We'll ask the young man to tell us
all about it," he suggested.
s pont 1a nsh she neess peaded eP0n pont nfs n do
anything about it. beg of you that
you don't. I have a reason for ask.
Ing" w
am too curious by disposition. Your
companion has told me that he saw a
wild man jump out Of the ground.
find you on the spot in a dead faint.
1t is situation which must be cleared
up
"You are a very foolish person." she
said. There are many who have lost
their lives through curiosity"
He looked back toward the boulder.
He almost fancied that the heather
bush, which partly concealed the open
ing, was moving as though some one
were looking through. The girl was
watching him.
Perhaps" he reflected, sit would be
better if were to make my way to
the nearest police station and bring
some one with me-"
Don't do that either" she implored.
please don't do that"
There is some one there, them" he
asked swiftly.
II don't know" she answered. "If
there is, why not leave him alone?
What business is it of yours or any
ones? 1 hate people who interfere
Mr.. Bill Aarons from the Bethel
Green road came shambling up.
Strike me, mister, but you're
lucky!' he exclaimed, casting one
more fearsome glance across the
moor. Get in, miss. if you're ready.
Well tootle off. This part Of the
world amt ealthy."
He bent over the machine, started
the engine, swung himself into the
saddle and opened the door of the side
car for her.
Nov. then" he begged; Tets get
out Of this while we can"
The young woman caught hold Of
Goade's arm.
II realize now" she said, "you came
to help me. You thought that 1 was
in danger. That was very brave Of
you. There was nothing there really
to be afraid Of, though"
Aarons swung round in his saddle.
What" he cried. Nothing to be
afraid of You may call me a cow
ard, both of you. I dare say I am.
tell you, If ever I see a sight like
that again it'll be the end Of me.
Step in, miss. If I think of i'm I'll
get the shakes again.
AS she took her place she leaned
toward Goade.
Don't go back there!" she pleaded.
II can't promise" he answered.
She looked at him in obvious dis
tress.
MY name is Crocombe." she said
mabel Crocombe. We live at the
Wood farm behind the trees yonder.
Will you come and see me?"
He nodded, and stood with his hat
in his hand, watching them climb
the path, the engine knocking and a
little cloud of blue smoke coming out