Evening star., 1927-10-10

to flash between the two, and even
as the thought came two tiny puffs
of smoke appeared midway between
the earth and the machine lowering
above them. Were they to form let
ters or figures, as in that message
which had come to her from the skies
four days ago?
But the smoke rapidly dissolved I'm
thin air, the plane mounted once more
and sailed ahead of them and Janet
saw her companion straighten as
though to meet a coming issue. and
put on speed again. yet not at a
greatly increased pace. 1t was as
though he were timing himself and
waiting!
What is it?" Janet bent forward,
unable to endure the suspense she
felt tightening about them. please
tell me! Let me know what is COM
ingp'
Just what thought" he replied.
"a special humming along like blazes
on a cleared tracki They knew I'd
have to take the State road and
they've planned to cut us off at the
next Standardization. They'll never
make it, though, so don't worry, Miss
Seven-of-Hearts. Keep your nerve up
and-watch"
Janet could not have spoken to
save her life. but she gave little
reassuring tug at his belt. The next
minute she pulled twice more, as he
had directed her, for above the noise
of the motor she heard q singing
hum from the railroad track! The
special was comingi
Turning her head to look for 1t I'm
fearful fascination. she saw something
else that stilled her very heart. a
tandem motor cycle had come from
q side road and was chugging along
behind them with two men who ap-
peared to be quite intent on their
| own business. Fearing to lean forward
| lest she attract their attention, know.
| ing that if she called out her voice
would be carried back on the wind.
Janet jerked twice at her companions
belt and then twice more.
"On the road, then, eh?" He turned
| his head for one darting glance back
ward and his voice reached her. Got
| you; sit tightp'
Tie motor cycle jumped clear of
! the road in it's sudden squirt and the
machine behind redoubled it's pace.
Then Five Of Diamonds slowed down
so abruptly that Janet was thrown
| against his shoulders, which seemed
| to have been braced to receive the
! impact and at the same time the mo-
| tor cycle swerved straight across the
road. The thunderous roar In the
| girls ears made her sure that 1t must
have come from the crash of their
machine with that other, for every
thing was black and swirling before
her, but as her vision cleared she saw
the tandem CLONE close abreast, waver
! sickeningly as its driver strove to
avoid a collision, and then plunge
headlong into the deep ditch at the
| side of the road.
In an instant they had swung back
| to the right again, then straight
ahead, and Janet. conscious of that
| horror left behind, felt her head reel
| ing, but was careful not to clutch
her companions belt too tightly. In
distinctly, as though from a great
distance, she heard his voice.
STEADY, nowi 1t was them or us.
you know! Here she comesi'
The rhythmic clamor had increased
| and, glancing toward the track. she
beheld the special rocking with its
terrific speed as it approached and
passed them, while, in advance and
lowering low. Mats plane sailed like a
waiting vulture.
Janet did not realize that the motor
| cycle had stopped and was standing
on its rests, which Five of Diamonds
had released with a kick. She only
knew that the special shot suddenly
| forward and then with a hideous,
riven in its path and a huge black
CONTINUED in Tomorrow's Star.)