Evening star., 1927-11-06
THE BLACK JOKER
BY ISABEL OSTRANDER.

for retaliation seemed petty now
after the shock of his narrow escape
from death. 1t was sufficient for her
to know that he had failed and her
fathers friends would carry on his
work for him
Afford was the first of them whom
she had met and the one among them
all for whom she had the most re.
gard, yet she was still reluctant to
disclose the truth TO him and decided
to wait until she had seen Nat, at
least. There would be time enough,
and she felt too confused now. too
shaken, to rely on her own judgment.
They had passed q cross-road when
around the corner of it came a rapid
chug- that made Janet lift her
head. 1t was unlike the motor of
car, yet strangely familiar. and as
figure loomed up close beside them
and rested a hand on the door, she
cried In pleased surprise:
"Mr. Durant"
Afford glanced over his shoulder
and brought the car to halt.
Hello, there, I've been looking for
you for mile Get in and strap
that thing on the running board but
be careful of Miss Dane! She's met
with an accident
II should imagine so!'' Five OF
Diamonds drawled as he dismounted
and shook her unbandaged hand, add.
ing in a quickened. solicitous tone,
rs it very bad. Miss Dane?"
mot so very"' She smiled at him.
II did not know till Yesterday that
you had escaped. and tonight Mr..
Afford appeared! I'd given up all
hope for both of you and it's won
60rfI1I fn L-nnxty fop'
Afford had climbed down to help
him adjust the motor cycle to the
side OF the car, and then he seated
himself beside her and the former
took his place again behind the wheel
'Ranny Sawyer and Afford had all
the luck" he grumbled. II had n
hunch. though, that something had
happened to you when the fat con-
stable in charge Of this section of
the village rode past me like mad
in commandeered machine and
yelled that there'd been a smash-up
down the road. We're looking for
trouble now on every hand. How did
it happen?"
Janet told him and he whistled
softly.
II wonder what she thought you
had to do with it?''
with "hat! Janet asked nefV'
ously.
do you remember the fellow who
came to my tent when | was posing
as an artist and l had to give you
up to him because he had his gang
along and ! had to stay free to work
for you?" Durant paused and at her
nod he went on: HE was found
dead in that house by the willows
this morning. shot through the chest.
and I saw him in the village morgue;
| was there. in fact. when the Carlin
woman claimed his body as that Of
her twin brother. She was beside
herself with grief and I suppose she
blames you for the whole affair. but
don't let's talk about them. Sawyer
told Afford a little of what you've
been through since i saw you last.
7 wonder how Marriott came out in
that battle on the island"
HE came out all right" Janet
spoke in a very low tone, but Afford
heard and half.turned in his seat to
listen. II saw him in New York
tonight"
what" Durant exploded. "Where?"
Coming out Of the house where he
kept me prisoner last week" Janet
explained how she had been able to
find it again and added In some con.
fusion: IL hid something there
that I wanted to go back for. but
didn't have an opportunity to get II
this afternoon. His escape must
mean that Norman is either dead or