The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-06
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

TINE wind whipped little ringlets
i of bronze hair into Monnie's
eyes. It was as if they we're flying
along in the summer night.
What a wild goose chase" she
said. as if to herself Waynesboro
Miss Anstice had said that Kay
was on the way to Waynesboro, but
wasn't it quite possible that the man
had thrown that question out at the
filling station merely as a decoy?
Wasn't it just as reasonable that
Kay was, at this moment, speeding
westward instead Of taking the east
erly road Charles Eustace's car was
travelling?
Poor Kay, foolish little Kayl She
ought to have known what was 60
in on-ought to have watched her
more closely. She had been, Monnie
reproached herself, too utterly abb
sorbed in her own affairs to see
where Kay, in her Impotence and
discomfort. was drifting,
ITS my fault she broke out
rather incoherently, to the silent
man beside her.
That's nonsense" His dark pro-
file was grim in the faint light of
the instrument board And any
how nothing's happened yet. Well
have her safe and sound in an hour
or two" Eustace spoke with a con-
fidence he was far from feeling.
Monnie sat tense, every nerve
tingling with the excitement of the
chase. High Falls-a scattering of
lights-and then the open road
again. White arrows pointing the
way at the crossroad-turn here for
WaynesbOro-that was all right
they had taken the right turn.
Charles slowed each time they
passed a car and Monnie stared
eagerly, expectantly, into the faces
of the occupants. The vehicles
were fewer now, and farther be-
tween. The main road forked at
the Waynesboro turn. This was a
virtual detour, rutty and narrow,
1t was madness -madness-the
girl told herself, to thrash about
in this way.
What they should have done
at once-was to have given Kay's
description to the local police. They
had a system of radio alarm that
was wonderful, she had heard. But
no-no-that would mean that
Rays adventure would be broad
cast to the waiting world
Il couldn't do that to her." Mon
ME groaned inWardly.
They plunged through Newton
Center, a hamlet of some half
dozen scattered houses. Charles
lighted a cigaret without taking his
eyes from the road. Monnie, strain
ing her gaze ahead, was conscious
of a sudden squirt of energy in the
motor.
That car ahead" Charles told
her. 1--WE had it's tail light ever
since the Falls. It's turning into
lane. Suppose we stop and take
look"
IT'S probably some farmers
dooryard," Monnie said despair
ingly.
TINE winking red light disap-
L peared for an instant, reap
peared again. Charles was slowing
his engine now, its powerful roar
muffled so that the sounds of in
sects, of whirring crickets and
croaking tree frogs could be heard.
Monnie realized the car they
were trailing had stopped. Before
she could speak, the man beside her
had put on the brakes, was sliding
out of the seat.
You stay here" he said in a re-
assuring whisper. I'll do the talk
ing"
Monnie was trembling with ner-
Vousness now. She had to grit her
teeth together to keep them from
chattering. She watched Charles
tall figure striding purposefully
away from her. In the car ahead
she could just see the outline of two
heads. A woman's, Shawled. A
mans.
She wanted to call out to Charles
to come back-to hurry. They must
be on their way. 1t was folly to
waste even few minutes trailing
some surly farmer who would, like
as not, resent with blows their in
tereSt in him.
In the bury mist the headlights
made, she could see Charles drap-
ing himself casually over the fender
of the car. She could not hear what
he said, but presently he came back
looking rather disguised.
Some idiot of a drunken yokel."
he said disgustedly. His wife's
asleep. I couldn't get anything out
of her. What luck! My bunch was
a rotten one"
Monnie was sick with diSappoint-
ment. She hadn't really expected
anything of this chance clew. They
were searching for needle in a
haystack, she reminded herself. She
must keep up her courage.
Tell you what We'll do" Charles
said in a hearty tone. Wen push
on for Waynesboro and inquire at
the hotel there. If they're stopping
any place tonight it will be there
It's the only decent place for miles
around"
They wouldn't-Kay wouldn't"
Monnie stammered.
Rays going to be all right! Don't
you worry about that" the quiet
voice told her.
The young man beside her started
his engine, which purred dutifully.
and the car began to slew about on
the slippery road There had been
heavy rains the night before. The
wheels whirred uselesSly for a mo-
ment in the mud and the brakes
groaned.
NASTY placel"
TINE engine killed. sickeningly
i Monnie felt her palms wet and