Evening star., 1927-10-19
Chapter ANlN.
Flight.

tine xlri was Shucked by the tApfe~
fion of Despair reflected in the mirror
the Young, pretty woman hau oecoiile
in an hour. haggard ana worn. hS'
Aery lips colurless anu bright eyes
sunken AS though aware OF the
change herself she turned out the
light nastily untressed IN the dark
and creut in beside Janet, wht
breathed deeply and regularly, iylEs
notlonIess to simulate sleep.
Her mind, however, was as alerl
as ever and her decision of the night
before remained as firm. these peo
pIe distrusted her and she would re-
iieve them of the necessity of pro
tectiny her at the earliest possible
moment.
Mrs. Kerr must have impaired 10
them her suspicious aroused by the
messengers avowal that there was a
traitor among them. and all her pride
rebelled at being considered pos
sible impuster. How she, who knew
nothing about launches or canoes,
was TO make her way to the MAIN
land, and what she would do after
reaching it, with miles or alnloSt
trackless forest before her, and not
a penny to pay for a conveyance II
sha should by some miracle arrive
I IL.
which never entered her mind: she
only felt that she must get away and
cafe for herself.
She was TO leave sooner than she
had hoped. but in quite another fash
ion, for when she awakened in the
morning, Mrs Kerr. fully dressed for
travelling, stood beside the bed. she
was still very pale and hollow-eyed,
hut composed and the haGgaro,
tragic look was gone.
Janet" she said. I'm sorry that
YOU could not have had longer
rest here, but we've had sudden news
that the Black Joker wishes to close
the camp If we remained, you and
l we should be alone, for there is
work for all the others to do, but l
have a better plan than that. l shall
take you to my own home in New
York and we will wait there for your
father"
New York. 1t would be easy for
her to disappear there in that count
might obtain a loan of some sort on
her string of pearls. enough to en-.
able her to live until daddy's ship
docked. Janet's heart leaped, but
she felt like hyprocrite as she
thanked Mrs. Kerr for her proffer
of hospitality.
The latter seated herself and wait
ed, for Janet TO dress, choosing for
her a simple brown tailor-made from
the stock loaned to her by the guest
who had departed the previous after.
noon.
What did you think of the fire last
night?" she asked, stopping to place
some forgotten toilet articles in her
bag. so that her face was for the
moment hidden. you weren't
alarmed"
Janet thought quickly. If Mrs.
Kerr was trying to find out how much
she had seen and guessed. she would
set her mind at rest.
"Oh, no. l got up and looked out
of the window. but there was moth
ing except just that glow in the sky"
This was strictly true as far as
IL went. and she saw the swift look
of relief that passed over her COM
panion's face.
I'VE think it must have been a
forest fire on top of that mountain
evenly. ''It Is a little early for them
20 start. but it didn't last very long.
Shall we go TO breakfast"
that all the other guests except
Clinton Hollis had already departed
and he went to the mainland with
them in the motor boat. At the land
ing, Charles was waiting for them in
the car, but beside it stood trim
little roadster and in this Hollis drove
away alone.
The Three of Spades looked more
rnournfully solemn than ever rs he
closed the door on them and took his
place behind the wheel. and Mrs. Kerr
asked:
you've heard the news?"
1T wasn't news to me-" He shook
his head. ''If something like that
hadn't happened. the other wouldn't
have, that we heard of last night
There's nothing worse can come te
US now"
Contenting himself with this doubt
fuI consolation. he started the motor
and they were off. 1t seemed to janet
that they were taking the same road
as on the previous day. for it wound
among unbroken forests of spruce
hemlock and pine, but when after ar
hour or two little settlements appear
ed in the clearings she noted a slight
difference, and later as the woodland
gradually thinned and gave place Il
farms and villages she was sure of it
I'VE are going to Albany" Mrs
Kerr remarked, divining the question
the girl would not ask. "A yacht Il
waiting there to take us down thu
river, but it will be better for us II
make that part Of the trip by night
so we'll just loaf along today. unless
we encounter any trouble. Charles
have you seen any signs Of our friends
of Yesterday"
Not yet" the Three OF Spades re
sponded, with cautious reserve
Likely to any time, though. They
don't give up easy. I'll take 1T SLOW
till they come"
HAS he-do you think he has hearC
any news of Mr.. Durant?" Jane
ventured in an anxious undertone
II can't rest till | know"
But Charles professed to have hearC
nothing and they drove on until afteI
midday without encountering any
thing more formidable than a flock o
geese on their way TO market and Z
dusty, rattling f1ivver or two. Thel
Mrs Kerr looked into the freshl,
stocked hamper and announced tha
they would stop for lunch in the frs
secluded spot they came to, and max
tea, gypsy-fashion. but over an alcoho
stove.
II really think we have lost them:
She spoke in an absent tone and thel
added: Il mean Norman's people; w
must have given them the slip whel
we Travelled without lights last night.
They followed me even TO Dane
holm, and--and back all through tn
night 10 that place where you picke'
me up in the road Yesterday" Jane
replied doubtfully. Perhaps for som
reason they have decided that the.
don't need me any more"
She dsrted a sidelong glance at Mrs
Kerr, but the latter's veil obscure
her features and she observed, prompt
ly. with everv evidence Of frankness
My dear. they think they need vol
as much as ever. for how can the
have guessed what we know-tha
Mariott's faction has been successf'
where they failed? They may hav
scouts lurking about the roads neare