Evening star., 1927-10-14
Continued from Yesterdays Starr


ats kind of YOU to tell me and
wonderfully kind of so many people
to be willing to help. but / can't un'
derstand it in the least" she confess
ed. Il knew Daddy was well known
character, of course, but he-he
couldn't command such an army of
associates willing to risk their lives
for his daughter. Just see what
you've done
Very little. only brought you on a
little way" Durant was driving at
as slow pace as his machine would
travel. glancing at intervals at the
sky, and his words came 10 her dis
iointedly. Did he know more than
he was telling her of the possible dan
gers to come?
"Oh, please tell me" There was
perceptible break in her voice.
Why must l be taken so far from
home? Mrs. Madison and Daddy's
other friends there will be fearfully
worried at the strange way van
ished! Today is Saturday, isn't 1t?
only reached Daneholm Wednesday
morning and ran away at dawn yes
terday. Will Daddy know where 10
find me when he comes?
The questions which the varied eN'
elements and risks of the past night
and day had kept pent up within her
came now with rush. although never
for an instant did she forget those
lowering planes above her. The 1ac'
that he appeared to take their pres
ence more seriously than any OF the
Vicissitudes that had gone before hiled
her with nameless forebodlnG ana
she felt that she must speak now or
in some horrible fashion have the
,aI ft..PN
You are only being taken where
Won can be better protected than in
vour own home while your father Is
not there" Durant seemed to be
choosing his words with care. we
ere all your fathers friends, we who
use a pack of cards to designate our
selves, and just now, Miss Dane. II
would be unfortunate for you to trust
anv one else. 1t would be almost
fatal
Janet drew a deep breath. She had
never heard him speak with the des-
perate earnestness that rang In ms
ZONES at the moment and again she
looked swiftly upward with little
Shudder.
"Oh, there are more of them" she
cried, Il don't dare count them, but
they seem to be in great circle.
Mr. Durant, what does it mean?
II don't know" he replied. We're
all right while we keep going, though.
If we meet any of our friends it would
I've useless for me to turn you over to
them in plain sight from up there.
Keen up YOUR courage, | didn't mean
to alarm you: very likely we can tire
them out. We're coming into vii
lage now. anyway, and Ill have to
move along a little.
Janet said nothing more as they
swung into a wide detour TO avoid
the township, for it was evident that
Durant, having said what he felt he
must. was bent now on giving MS
attention to the grim business in hand.
Grim it was, though nebulous as
set. The four extra planes of which
he had spoken had joined the first
three and their course in the air, al
though seemingly in irregular forma.
ton. was indeed forming vast ana
ibroken circle, a sort of winding chain.
Like harbingers of destiny they were
waiting-but for what?
Janet's troubled thoughts were
brought abruptly back to earth by
iemothered exclamation from her COM
tpanion and although she stif1ed the
anxious question that arose to her lips,
.she noticed that they were going more
and more slowly. Durant had SAID
THAT he would have to move along a
little" and with him that would mean
q rate of speed she would before yes
'terday have CONSIDERED preahhech
one.
The village was past, the road be-
fore them open and straightaway, and
the little farms joined fence to fence
withsno strips of woodland that might
afford means Of a surprise attack.
What did Five of Diamonds fear?
Janet had scanned the few vehicles
they passed sharply, but the farm
wagons, trucks and occasional filVvers
appeared to be going about their nor
NAL affairs with no thought to the
couple on the motor cycle, and the
road was even more deserted as the
level ground gradually changed to
gently rolling hills, the farms larger
and more widely separated with wide
pasture lands between. And still their
pace was slower and more SLOW!
She glanced aloft and saw that the
circle of planes was narrowing and
coming closer as though the flyers
realized something of situation that
was hidden from her, and at length
she could endure the suspense no
longer.
lis anything the matter-with us, l
mean?" She bent forward as though
the enemies in the air could hear.
why are we going so slowly and
and the planes dropping tow?"
I'm looking for something,
Durant replied, without turning his
head. and it seemed to her that there
was something odd about his tone.
We'll meet some of our people
presently along here"
But you said it would be useless
/ mean, that we'd just have to keep
going while they were watching u.s.
Janet cried, now thoroughly alarmed.
'Please tell me. 1 don't mind any
thing as long as / know
IF our people come. I'll have to
take a chance on transferring you
to them Miss Seven of Hearts" He
glanced back at her now. and although
his voice sounded brisk and cheerful
once more there was a labored note
in it. THE trouble is that we won't
be able to keep going and | couldnt
get shelter for you in any farmhouse
without the planes landing or signal
ing to some confederates on the
ground to come and get you on some
pretext or other. probably as fake
officers of the law. Our gas line is
clogged and when it chokes up we
stop"
.'Oh, but couldn't you fix it?" she
urged. Couldn't a garage or service
station be of any help?"
He shrugged.
IAN hours work. at least, and a
garage would be no more protection
than a farm to you. We'n go as far
as we can and trust to luck--it's s been
with US so far"
Janet was silent once more. II she
could not help him she could at least
refrain from bewailing the situation
and he had won through against ter
rife odds on the previous day. She
gazed longingly at the only vehicle
they encountered, but 1t was a touring
ear with a cargo of dusty and weary