Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23

his hand, and few feet from my head found
myself looking down the barrel Of an auto
matte pistol.
stop your enginel" the man ordered, speak
ing in husky English, but with decidedly
French accent.
In my life when / have been forced into adj
venture. and have never unduly shrunk from
it. I fully realized, however that this was
an occasion when discretion was called for.
What else do you want from me?" in
quired, thinking with some dismay of that
mile note in my pocketbook.
Nothing" was the curt reply Descend
from your car, and remain at the side of the
way there. Par lei! .Bien!'
I obeyed, and glanced curiously down the
road to where the other men were standing.
An animated discussion was in progress, but 7
could not speculate as to its nature. My COM
panion kept guard over me, although occa-
sionally he glanced toward the others.
"A hold-up!" remarked, making an ami
cable attempt at conversation. Are you not
a little venturesome? We are within the limits
of the police patrol from Monte Carlo"
The man made no reply. He moved his
position slightly, so that he was able to keep
watch on me and still cast frequent glances
at his companion.
You permit that smoke cigarette?" in
Quired, taking out my case.
He had swung suddenly round, and GER
tainly have never disliked the look of a weapon
more than his. At the sight of my harmless
cigarette case. however. he relaxed.
Monsieur is not afraid?" he asked
Horribly" confessed. However, you may
never hurt any one yet, have you, If you are
the same gang who robbed the DUO de Mines
and Monsieur de Falleron q few weeks ago?"
81. is the wish Of the Chief that we should
carry on our affairs without Violence" the man
announced, with q faint sneer, "but We should
never hesitate to use force toward unreasonable
DO {,H
who narrowly escaped q bullet through his
head I think he has seen wisdom now
THERE were signs Of breaking up of the
- little party ahead. Two of the men, both
in evening dress, and one whose figure was, I
fancied, familiar to me, stepped back into the
Car headed for Monte Carlo; two of the others
entered the limousine pointed in my direction;
o third man planted himself few feet from
the chauffeur Of the former Car. moment
later there was the roar of a powerful engine,
and the limousine starting at tremendous
speed, dashed past us. could see nothing OF
the two men inside, but know something about
automobiles, and the lines of this one intrigued
me- It was out Of sight almost at once.
And now?" asked.
you can go In o few minutes" my guardian
conceded
Apparently convinced of my reasonaDleness
he strolled away to where couple of motor
bicycles were propped against the bank, turned
ON the lights of one, and started the engine.
He wheeled 1t to the side of my car, and stood
leaning upon it.
LAS a matter of curiosity" inquired, what
would happen. If another car came up9"
There are not many who use this road ct
night. If a car should come. what we did
would depend upon you. If you attempted
to hail it, or signal to it in any way, should
first shoot you In the leg--not to make too
serious an affair of it-afterward I should
shoot through two Of the tires of the car, and
bid you all good evening""
IAN amiable program!" I observed. And
supposing any of the occupants of the car
were armed?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
Zone must risk something" he admitted.
The minutes passed. He took out his watch