Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

lagoons by way of Forensic and Meze
rising again into dune foothills they dashed
through orange groves the dead green of olive
trees against the warm blue of the sea, the land
of flowers and every beauty but the beauty of
grass At Meze and again at Montagnac they
picked up information OF a fleet gray car. Only
an hour ahead of them. They would catch him
at Montpelier.
And none too soon" said Bill He'd be at
Avignon by tomorrow evening and that
is where he intends to present the advantages
of our plan before the sharp eyes of Chabat
Freres"
And none too soon for me either"
Bill glanced at her, his first thought that the
past 48 hours might have been something of
strain for a girl, none husky girl at that.
Her eyes in fatigue seemed quite as big and
quite blue but her small felt hat awry
and her cheek was Smudged and there was a
woe-begone little pull at the corner of her
mouth; she looked like child ready to fall
asleep OH ones shoulder.
But he was going to be ruthless All success
full men were little ruthless and maybe that
was why he had never been successful Well,
he was now reformed.
you've been fairly good sport far"
he said. There now, that was pretty ruthless!
What he'd meant to say was: You insisted
upon tagging along and it's your own darn
fault"
Night came upon them with surprising sud
,
1t took Bill the best part of an hour to get the
headlights working well enough to proceed,
and they gained the faint illumination and the
cobbes of Montpelier about o'clock.
At the end of the main street they found the
post inn under the name of Hotel de rUnivers.
You jump out, Shannon, make your own ar
rangements, and wash your face. I'm going
around to the garage people to see if Mr. Chadd
has interviewed them yet. ought to be back
for dinner by 100"
Ava e;r - eoiI
salute. Shall order dinner, sir? And how
do you prefer your veal, Mr.. HoldernesS?"
Bill was a little late getting back, longer
walk from the garage than he had thought.
But he found Shannon with the smudge still on
her cheek and almost in the exact spot where
he had left her. Here eyes were delft-blue
&aucers.
Hes here Bill. I've seen him. He doesn't
look so much like you, but know it was he"
Yes, know" said Bill. He'd already been
to the garage people They had several good
cars for hire and he signed them to . con-
tract"
But I actually saw him. Just as 1 was get
ting my hat of. Through the shutters of my
room. literally fell down the stairs I
shouted Mr.. Chadd Mr.. Chaddr He gave
one wild glance at me and then the gray car
shot forward and around the corner up there.
Do look like trained nurse, Bill? Essentially,
mean? And, Bill, do you know what? He has
q girl with him.
last forlorn gasoline pump on the road out TO
Mines and Avignon, they learned that man
driving gray car had inquired, only few
minutes ago, If he could reach Avignon COM
fortably before midnight.
That last ride through the darkened country
side held thrill of its own, and neither Bill
nor Shannon said very much They plunged
ahead into the white spread of the headlights
There was no moon, but there were many stars.
Finally, after nearly two hours of it and well
beyond Mines long hill rose ahead of them
black the night itself. Near the top of it
hung tiny red star, the red spot of tail light,
and for the next half hour it was their star
Of hope. Then they lost it.
We'll have to go faster, Bill. Is this as fast
as it will go?"
Maybe you'd like to get out and push" said
Bill His foot held the throttle to the floor, and
the old car, judging from the clamor, was break
ing its leaky but valiant heart.
Bill was more puzzled by the disappearance
Of the fleeing gray car than she was. Unless
they have spotted us following and taken 10
cover we should be able to see them from here"
They had reached a high point of ground,
beyond Remoulins, from which they could see
all the way to the great bend of the Rhone
and the lights of Avignon low the night
horizon. Descending, he Slackened speed, notic-
ing every farm dwelling which they passed
near the road, q cross roads, . dark lane. The
road bent around . thickly- growing clump of
trees and beyond was . little cafe. its windows
still alight.
Bill stopped the car, got out and went to peer
through the windows. He seemed satisfied
when he returned.
II want to leave you here for q few minutes,
Shannon. believe We must have passed the
beggar and want to drive back about half a
mile and have q look at that lane. It's just
the sort Of place. What's the matter?
What are you afraid off"
She had jumped down beside him, clinging
to his coat sleeve.
Afraid for you, Bill. You don't know how
crazy he is. Maybe he has a pistol"