The Washington times., 1934-12-25

should enter that darkened
room, but presently the heavy
steps passed on, descended the
lower flight, and a little later
Dick heard a bolt shot back
and a door slam close.
No time to lose. Only a mat
ter of short seconds now before
the man must find the severed
reins of their horses, and aban'
doning all effort at conceal
ment, Dick flung open the door
and raced three at a time up
the creaking stairs. At the
landing he stopped before a
small room where a smoking
lamp was burning. Inside, his
back toward Dick, stood a man
with grizzled hair, clad in old
overalls, and opposite, beside a
small table, Nora faced him.
Even in the partial gloom Dick
could see her eyes were burning
with anger, although her cheeks
were pale.
At the sound of Dicks foot
steps on the threshold the girls
captor growled, without turn
ing his head, well, what did
he forget this time?"
But Nora, with a little cry,
had jumped forward. At that
unexpected movement the man
lunged swiftly toward her, over
turning his chair, then seeing
her gaze fixed behind him, he
whirled to face the black muzzle
of Dicks automatic. At sight
of that tall, threatening figure,
the man stiffened, stepped back
a pace, then slowly raised his
hands.
HEMMED IN
Eyes still on his prisoner,
Dick asked, "Is anyone else in
the house, Nora"
"No. The other just left"
Dick took a step forward
and jerked the mans gun from
its holster. "Pick up that lamp
and walk ahead. You're going
with us. and we're travelling
fast"
The others mouth dropped.
"But-"
Pick up that lamp and
start" The ring of command
and the rising automatic were
enough. Without another word
Nora's captor seized the lamp
and hurried down the creaking
steps. At the bottom he opened
the door and inquiringly looked
around until Dick nodded
toward the dim trail leading
down the slope. But even as
they left the house a thud and
a cry of profane amazement
came from the clump of pines,
and a moment later a riderless
horse burst from among the
shadows and clattered madly
down the rocky road.
Quickly Dick dashed the
lamp from the mans hand,
and with his gun pressed in the
others side, hurried to where
he had tied the horses. Swiftly
he lifted Nora to the mare,
pulled himself into the saddle
before her, and as his captive
mounted, Dick ordered in low
tones, Ride ahead, and don't
stop until I tell you.
But when I do, remember
I'm right behind and there are
seven bullets in this automatic"
At steady trot they passed
down the road. the two horses
never more than length
apart, and now as they rounded
the first turn the sound of five
shots fired in quick succession
crashed out from Headquarters
House through the silent night.
Dick nodded in grim under
standing at the signal and to
the man ahead he called aloud,
Spur that horse" With his
heel he touched his own mounts
side, and the little mare, al
ready tired with long riding
and now doubly burdened,
broke into a canter.
Dimly seen through the dark
ness the mine timbers flashed
past. One by one the black,
silent houses of the village were
left behind, and soon they had
passed the cantina, its lights
still throwing dull glow
across the narrow street.
Steadily the horses hoofS drum
med on the flinty road, and for
the first time Dick breathed
more easily as they approached
the turn that would take them
beyond the village and down
into the blackness of the can
yon.
Ito be COntinued)
COnyrfEht 1924 nv Ton, Csju niskr,huAo