New Britain herald., 1929-06-19

Suddenly . terrifying command bo vised Jerry of the serious case against him. Their daring wins - Deacon is convinced Jerry is inno- cent, that Dillon is the real mur- derer. The telephone bell interrupts them-Peebles answers.
 CHAPTER 45
 A CHALLENGE FROM DILLON
 When hung up the receiver two minutes later Deacon. Lucy and Jerry were looking at me with vary tng degrees of interest. I had kept my expression casual, but it would hardly have been possible for them not to have sensed something of the emotion released in my breast.
 You'll have to excuse me. Dea- con-" l said carelessly. "A man has just called me about matter must attend to at once. I'm sorry. Your car is at the door. isn't it. Jerry? Do you mind if l use it?"
 Help yourself. Uncle John. Shall 1 drive you?"
 No, you'd better stay with Lucy
 He didn't repeat the offer and I smiled understandingly. Lucy gave me a quizzical look and Henry surprised one. Meanwhile, l had rot out my little red notebook. knd carelessly fingered the pages. In the same careless fashion now opened the right-hand bottom drawer of my desk, took out my automatic and slipped it into my coat pocket. From where they were none. of the three could have seen the pistol.
 "Whom are you going to sec, Uncle John?" Lucy wanted to know.
 "A man." I said irritably.
 But as Deacon and l went out together felt that she wasn't sat isfied. Henry drove off.
 Uncle John." Lucy had come running after me.
 "Well?"
 "Why did you take your pistol?" she demanded breathlessly. "War it MT. MacNair who telephoned? Does he know something about Dillon?"
 It wasn't a bad guess and l was tempted to tell her. but l gave her an evasive reply.
 The roadster slid forward and Mapel into the avenue. A glance ever vhy shoulder showed me Lucy still standing at the curb. distract ingly pretty in the warm glow Of the late afternoon sun. No wonder Jerry had let her persuade him into that fantastic elopement!
 How long would her suspicious allow her to remain inactive. wondered.
 It was just four now Night would catch me halfway down Pltchfork. At the first oil station l tanked up with gas and water. I also filled the canteens and got . supply of food. The open coun' try was before me and l sent the roadster on at terrific rate.
 My mind was on Dillon's chal lenee. He had flung 1t at me over the wire with dramatic sudden ness, . colossal impotence. that hsd torn unqualified acceptance of his terms from me before l knew what l was saying. Life or death: which was to be my portion. and which his?
 It was nearly sunset hen l got to the top of the Skeletons. The last third of the descent was GOV cred in darkness and 1 drove drenched in sweat and with deatf perched on my shoulder: but reached the bottom without mis- hap. A draught of water refreshed me. and l swung onto the Torridity trail
 AS the car throbbed over the cin dered trail that subterranean Tiff, Peterson had sensed seemed tc pulse beneath my hands. If rousef in me something Of dread. a bub bling expectancy. suffocating sus. pense. The hot wind on my cheek. famed thes. strange emotions Tenuous fingers encircled mt throat. I rode i'll a splendid tomb but a tomb. Was it to be mine?
 made out a huddle of building. in the ebony gleam ahead. stopped at the head of the crooked street shut off the engine. and got out The breeding quietness of the rlac, must have bewitched me for I neg lected to switch off my lights. Thi! error nearly cost my life.
 Crack. AS the bullet whinet past matter of six OF eight inche! above my head. I dropped agains The side ot the car. The shock 0 this abrupt rending of the silenc' held me rigid for & moment: the' I reached into the car and switche' off the lights. The flash of th rifle had come from one of the up per side windows of Lundy's Place Was it Dillon who had fired at me
 Pistol in hand. I slid around tn back of the car and dived into tn shadow of the first building at tha