Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-04-12
CHAPTER WI

the bungalow.
He was half drunk and crazed wit
anger at having had $4,000 worth o
bootleg wares taken by the authorize
all through the girl who was sleep
ing in that bungalow and he reall.
hoped that she wouldn't get out il
time.
Jim Harper, coming through tn
brush, trying to plan the best way tt
approach Jessica with the proof o.
his ownership of the island, once III
received his deed, suddenly saw {
glare.
AS it flicked through the underbrusl
from the direction Of the bungalow he
naturally leaped forward on the run
The bungalow had caught fire. Jes'
sica was in danger. 1t did not occur
to him then that anyone could have de-
liberately set fire to it. That was be-
yond his comprehension.
Dodging this way and that through
the thick growth, he finally came out
to the clearing.
For a moment he couldn't beileVe
his eyes.
Sykes two men had stepped into
tbe thicket for more brush, but SYKES
was Just tossing some on and was Sill
houtted in the light of the flame.
Tim recognized him instantly.
Rut his first duty was to save Jes-
sica and her mother.
As Jim ran for the front door Skyes'
back was to him.
With a crash Of his shoulder Jim
burst through the frail door.
-fire!" Jim yelled.
He had aroused them. He heard
frightened screams as they evidently
saw the flames through window.
Now he had to attend to Sykes.
No telling but what he intended to
shoot Jessica when she dashed out.
Sykes stood for moment in amaze
ment when he heard the crash and the
shouts, for he hadn't heard or seen
Jim approach. H thought first that
the occupants would come dashing out.
He would give them a good cursing, a
good fright and leave them. On Sec
ond thought he had better disappear.
But before he could turn he saw
Jim rush out into the light OF the
brush flames and he became ugly and
revengeful again, believing that Har-
per had also squealed on him.
He made a rush for Jim and his
hand went to his pocket.
Jim had forgotten his own automat-
ic, in his pocket. Now he made a
dive, a low tackle and Sykes went
down with a thud.
Jim had seen him reach for gun.
He took it away from the man before
he had ceaed blinking from the jolt.
Sykes took swing at him then and
Jim smashed down on his head with
the butt of the gun. Sykes promptly
slumped into a state of coma.
Sykes two companions ran out with
arms full of brush.
Jim had them covered instantly
and up went their hands.
He turned then to see Jessica help
ing her frightened mother down the
steps.
And as he turned the men saw their
chance. They leaped back into the
thicket and disappeared.
Jim then turned to Jessica. he
didn't mind about losing these two men
He had Sykes out cold.
Jessica had a shawl about her film
sy night gown.
Without waiting to explain, Jim
snatched off her shawl and for NOM
ent Jessica shrank back in horror.
Then she saw Jim rush in, kick
away the burning brush and with the
shawl smother the burning siding that
composed the bungalow wall.
Dobson by tbs time got some wits
about him and ran to Jim's aid, help
ing to smother the burning boards
with cushions from the veranda.
Finally Jim ran inside to make sure
that no flames had come through.
All was safe. He picked up couple
of blankets from the bedroom, where
he had gone to see if the fire hae
penetrated, and took them out. Ht
wrapped one around Jessica and the
other about her mother.
The maid was whimpering.
Flush; go take care of Miss Park
man and her mother" Jim ordered.
He turned to Dobson.
Get me a stout rope" he ordered.