Evening star., 1927-10-19
BY ISABEL OSTR4NDER.

he was they took him INTO the game.
II was the first time she had made
direct reference Ia herself ana
Janet was curious to know why she
had become a member of this Stra nge
organization and what "tha game
was. bur Mrs. kerr's little burst OF
confidence was over and she talked
of their recent campmates III
, s,,perficial way until Charles reap
peared with a pitcher OF fresh cream
as well as the kettle of water.
"Woman said YOU could come eat
your lunch in her dining room, he
announced. Seemed to think you
must be crazy. wanting to sit out IN
the woods this time of year.
His expression denoted that he
shared the same opinion, but there
was something in his tone that made
Mrs. Kerr eye him sharply
You didn't see any one else!
"\o Mrs. Kerr" He replied with
his habitual air of non-comnlttai retl-
cence. and she said no more. but busleo
herself with preparations Tor the al
fresco, luncheon, trying TO make IL ~
pleasant as possible Tor Inc young Su'
whose guardianship she had under
taken. But the thoughts of both were
100 full of recent events 10 permlt
then, 10 relax, and the effort was not
altogether q success.
"Weu take the cream pitcher back
on our way: | want 10 tnahk the
woman" Mrs. Kerr remarked as they
repacked the hamper. but Charles oe'
INJURED. ,r
"Guess | better take it back myself
before we start" he observed
want TO have kind of a look around.
Janet watched while the two walk
ed to the edge of the trees together
talking earnestly. Then the car
Moved off down the road and Mrs.
Kerr returned.
"Charles must have learned some.
thing that made him suspicious, but
then he's so cautious that he would
walk around his. own shadow. she
laughed again. HE won't tell me
what it Is because he knows I'll make
fun of it. What is it. JANET?
Il thought / heard the car stop
suddenly" The girl was listening
with strained ears. mo. there 1t is
going again. suppose 1t wasn't any
thing"
Are you nervous, too" Mrs. Kerr
looked thoughtful. probably 1t was
foolish to leave the car, but really
wanted to kill time and this looked
like the safest place. You see, my
dear. it was best for us to get away
from Lions Head Island as quickly as
possible this morning, yet we don't
want to reach Albany till nightfall or
dusk. at least"
II feel perfectly safe" Janet smiled
a she replied, but inwardly that sense
of foreboding had returned and as the
minutes passed and Charles did not
come back it deepened until her
nerves were on edge and she gladly
acquiesced in Mrs. Kerr's suggestion
that they walk down the road and
meet him.
There was no sign Of the car, how
ever, in all the length of the white
dusty road. and when they reached
the farmhouse and a brisk young
woman came snilingly in answer to
their knock, Mrs. Kerr began:
"I believe it was here that my
chauffeur came about an hour ago for
a kettle OF fresh water and you gave
him as well a pitcher of delicious
cream"
"Yes'm" The woman held wide the
door. 1--WE get pretty nice cream;
more'n we can use. Won't you come
ln?"
THANK you, no. I only came to
thank you for your offer to let us use
your dining room, and to inquire If
you've seen my chauffeur since? You
see, he left us some time ago to re-
turn your pitcher and he didn't come
back"
The woman stared. and a. little OF
the ruddy color faded from her cheeks.
That's funny! About ten minutes
ago II thought 1 saw your car
going past here like sixty knew
it by the eagle with spread wings on
top of the radiator-but your driver
wasn't in it, only two young men that
looked like couple who were around
here this morning asking questions"
She stopped, for Mrs. Kerr had
dropped trembling into the little porch
rocker and the girl beside her paled
visibly.
They've taken him. the older
woman exclaimed, and then hastily
caught herself up. Automobile
thieves! They've taken my car and
kidnapped Charles"
I'm going to look"' Janet an
nounced with sudden decision. Which
way were they going? They won't
have taken him far
Janet, you shan't" Mrs. Kerr
cried. and the woman turned quickly
into the entry
"I'li get the men in from the fields.
| The car was going that way, toward
| Albany"
wall and blew strident blast, but be-
+! fore the two men plowing in distant
| field could reach the first fence, before