Evening star., 1927-11-03

n purchase of a pack of
NV cards on the train it had
been merely with the idea
of providing herself with
another seven of hearts in case of
need in the future and the miraculous
advent of Ten of Hearts had been an
alnhoped-for turn of fortune, but 1t
changed again when they reached
NIineola, for Nat and his plane were
gone and another flyer at the hangar
said he had received telephone call
and left at dawn.
Ten of Hearts wrote a message for
him saving he would be back with a
passenger at midnight and signed 1t.
Janet observed. "Ranny Sawyer"
They rode to the village, dismissed
their taxi and went to small
restaurant for dinner. and there she
asked:
How far is it to Norman's cottage,
Mr.. Sawyer?"
IA trifie over miles, He smiled.
"You saw the note / wrote? | don't
know whom we're likely to run into
there, but are you armed?"
She nodded and felt of the small re-
volver which Philip had given her. at
her belt. beneath the coat.
Norman himself won't be there nor
three of his men nor a woman named
Crole. I'm sure of that, but there's
a younger woman called May Carlin
and fellow known as Bill, who poses
as a taxi driver sometimes. | may en-
counter them, but I'm going to take
very good care not to. You see. L
thought we'd wait till little later and
then hire a small car from some ga
rage here, if you drive. and go to the
head of the lane. I'll leave you there,
I,,,& hnn iy,n lnnt
Not a chance Ranny Sawyer
shook his head decidedly. Il don't
know what your object is. Miss Dane,
but | couldn't let you go alone. I've
got a gat with me and it may be nec-
essary to use it,
But l must" Janet urged gently.
She was touched by his concern for
her, but unprepared to take him into
her confidence. Two of us would only
double the risk, and l really ought not
to be in the house ten minutes if all
goes well. l only want to get a mes
sage that's been left there for some
one else and | know where to find it. "
I'm going in with you" Sawyer in
sisted. Il couldn't ever face the rest
of them If l allowed you to walk un
protected into that house. Are you
sure you couldn't tell me where that
message is and let me get it for you?"
"Oh, no.'' Janet shook her head,
but compromised. It's just some
thing that I've promised to do myself,
but if you like you can go ahead of me
and look it over. then wait for me near
the cottage"
So it was arranged and in an hour
they were rattling along the country
road in an ancient flivver. The stars
were out, but Janet would not let her
self look at them, for only two nights
before she and Philip had watched
them together on the rocky shore of
the island, knowing that help was COM
ing on the morrow. but none too sure
Of escaping safely.
Now she was here, on the eve of her
greatest adventure. and Phillip
Is. So l said to Durant, No,
Frank, Miss Danes safe. If she came
through all that on your crazy ma
chine without a scratch, nothing in
the world can hurt her now
What did you say?" Janet came
suddenly from her reverie at the men,
ton of a familiar name to realize that
her companion must have been talking
for some time. "When-when did you
see Mr.. Durant?"
Yesterday. in Boston. / told you
he's patrolling the Post road between
here and there looking for you"
'Oh, I'm so gladr' she cried. "I
never could learn anything about him
after I left him with those dreadful
planes descending in a circle, but he
made me go. Norman told me they'd
got him, so supposed he was-was
dead.'
Norman told you"' 1t was Saw.
yer's turn to be amazed. You haven't
been in his clutches again?"
Yes. You see, he captured Mr.. Ma
riott and me together"
She was forced to give a sketchy
account of her adventure. and when
she finished they had reached the head
OF the lane. No lights shone any,
where along its length, though it was
not yet 10 O'Clock. and Sawyer shut
on their own lamps.
wait here" he said I'm going to
-reconnoiter. but I'll be back in a few
minutes"
His footsteps died away quickly on
the soft. springy turf at the side of the
road and Janet sat listening to the
gently stirring sounds of night life in
the fields and woods with every nerve
quickened and taut in suspense. Tt
was good half hour, however, before
Sawyer returned.
The house is empty, shut up"' he
announced. Il waited around to make
sure. and tried every door and window.
A small one in the pantry has been
left open and a bit of candle stands on
one of the shelves. got in and light