The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-05

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 Jerry had not sought an oppor- tunity to explain his presence to her. At dinner, he had surprised her studying his face thoughtfully and, meeting her eye, had seen her shake her head ever so light ! ly, then look away. So he knew that she recognized him and was warning him to make no slip that would betray him.
 It was with much regret that he gave up hope of drawing her aside ] for a few moments conversation before Emory and Stevens preci- pitated battle royal. She could have told him how many guards patrolled the beach, how many ma chine guns could be expected to open fire upon the airplane and where, perhaps, would be the most likely place for him to start a row ito take the defenders attention away from the approaching air plane
 He knew, of a certainty, that the extraordinary Ashwood did not be- lleve his ingenious story of being cast away upon the neighboring island.
 He did not underestimate, in the least, the difficulties before him. Ashwood would be warned by his suspicious visit and would undoubt- edly see that the guards did not relax their vigilance. This Ash wood was no heavy-fisted moron; he was infinitely more dangerous as an enemy.
 Jerry knew that the most prac- tical plan would be to find some way to signal his friends to fly to the nearest town and secure ade- quate assistance from the authori- ties. But, being young, reckless and headstrong, he resolutely push ed the conviction away.
 Suddenly he stiffened in alarm. The familiar bark of powerful motor beat into his ears Its throb- ping roar mounted as it responded to an advancing throttle until the entire house seemed to vibrate. Then, dying down, it popped and back fired unevenly.
 Jerry's first impulse was to rush to the porch to signal to the sil- yer winged monoplane. But after the first instant of indecision, he realized that he was listening to Ashwcod's amphibian in her han gar at the inlet. He dressed has tily and hurried out into the fra grant morning air just in time to see the odd-shaped plane taxi slow ly in the channel and take off to- ward the south. He stood on the porch, his hands clenching the rail, watching the amphibian's ris- ing clg1at.
 What a fool he had been to un- dsrestimate Ashwoods shrewdness and not to know that he would make an effort to check up on the story he had told. If the amphib- ian continued on it's present course for five minutes her crew could not fail to see the monoplane, whose bright wings would loom up in the sand like an air marker, thought fully placed there to draw atten- tion to the spot.
 The White-haired steward ap- peared at Jerrys side and bowed civilly.
 "Mr. Ashwood's compliments, sir and will the gentleman kindly joir him at breakfast?"
 Jerry hesitated. He wished te watch the course of the amphib- ian. But the steward waited, aS though he expected the summon. to be obeyed immediately, so tht pilot nodded reluctantly and en- tered the house.
 In the long, dim dining room AshWood awaited him, cool an6 1 immaculate III Sult OI CIllllest pongee. The large table, set witt places for two, was covered Wltf napery of magnificent damask. Good morning, Mr.-ah-Pea body" smiled the cripple. Ut i so good of you to join me. Ou other guests will presently hav' their breakfasts in their rooms ant desire eating alone"
 Jerry acknowledged the greet ing absentmindedly. He was lis tening for the faint whisper of tn amphibians engine. Had it stopped suddenly or had it dwindled int silence in the distance?
 The soft-footed steward place an iced grapefruit before him. H folfnd that despite his disquiet o mind, he had not lost his appe tite.
 Mice place you have here" h. observed quietly.
 Isn't it? I congratulate mysel upon happy thought when I pur lchaSed this house in sections ant