Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-04-05
CHAPTER v

ARREST me and be damned to you, -
Jim Harper cried angrily, "but leave
Miss Parkman out of this"
~ will thank you to go away and
mind your own affairs, Mr.. Harper"
Jessica cried.
She was in most embarrassing posi-
ton, having Jim come forward to help
and champion her when all she wanted
to do in the world now was to have
him thrown off her island and then to
even accounts with him in any other
hideous way she could contrive.
"Don't be rash about it, dear"
evil you get off my island, Mr..
Harper!" Jessica interrupted.
Come, come. Tell us where the
stuff is stored" the officer demanded
of Jessica.
She looked at him scornfully and
when her mother asked what was the
trouble, Jessica told her it was nothing
at all.
"Miss Parkman knows nothing
about this-don't be an ass Sargent"
Jim Numbered, losing his temper at
the dumbness of the officer.
"a load of stuff was brought from
this island to the shore tonight. The
boat that brought it came directly
back here. Naturally we expect to
find the rest here"
"In my house, on my property, with
out search warrant?" Jessica asked,
scornfully.
"She's got you there, Sargent" Jim
said, beginning to feel relieved.
perhaps, but we can arrest her on
suspicion and take her to the main
land, which is exactly what I intend
to do. Get ready to come with me,
young woman"
young lady, remember that, Sar-
gent" Jim said.
"Will you go away? I'd much
rather be arrested than have you
about"
"Come, come, cut out this opera
bouffe," Officer Sargent cried, angrily
"Look here, Sargent, I guess I'll
have to come across. I can't let an
innocent girl undergo this indignity.
I'm the guilty party and I'll stand
for the arrest. Come on, let's be 60
ing and not annoy Jessica = Miss
Parkman = any longer" Jim said.
The officers turned to Jim in amaze
ment but Jessica came out between
them and turned to Sargent.
"Mr. Officer" she said, tensely,
"while this person here is less than
nothing at all to me, and his idiotic
attempts to shield me are unpleasant,
I happen to know that he is no more
guilty than I am"
"Just like novel or a play" Sar-
gent sneered He was fast losing his
temper. each trying to shield the
other and putting up bluff about
having a quarrel. I'll take you both
along"
"You are going to be one mighty
unhappy man if you arrest me-" Jes-
sica declared, "yet would rather
stand that indignity than the indignity
Of having Mr.. Harper about, trying
to protect me. The fact is, however,
that neither of us are guilty. have
seen the men who smuggle in bottled
goods and I know fairly we'll where
it is kept"
"You do!" Sargent cried.
"In the dark it may be difficult to
go exactly to it, but can come close"
"And what do you know about it,
Harper?"
"Not thing as to where it is kept.
have reasons for believing that some
runners are using this island at times,
but whether merely as resting and
hiding place or to store their goods,
I'm not certain"
"Then, young woman-er-young
lady, you will have to show us where
this stuff is hidden and also explain
how you happen to know so much"
Every well. When get some suit
able clothes to go through the woods
and swamp"
"Look here, you can't make Miss
Parkman tramp across this island al
this time of night" Jim protested.
"She has offered her services, Har.
per. What the devils the matter with
you, anyway"
"It is all a man can do to get thru
in the daylight. Why not be sensible
and wait until morning?"
Jessica, pausing to hear what was
said, agreed.
at would be better. doubt car
find the place in the dark" she said.
Sargent and his brother officer talk