Evening star., 1937-01-03
Jonvory 3, 1897

For two years he's pretended to be my friend
He turned as Margaret came hurying
down the stairs.
Have you heard what Melville's been say
ing? It's Fechner 80"
"Yes l heard" Her face was pale and
set as she went to Melvilles side. This is
no time for talk You'd better get away at
once, Richard - take the formulae."
Margaret was right! Fechner would find
Eugene on the beach. and would learn what
had happened. 1t was certain he would get
help from the yacht, and return - he might
be back at any moment
Take my car, Richard" the girl was say
ing. You'll hit the main road three miles
inland. They can't follow you - there's no
other car here. Don't worry about us. Come
III show you the garage"
you're both coming with me" said Mel
vile emphatically.
Meet US out at the gate" Margaret said
to her father We'll drive round the car.
Let's hurry, Richard"
She slipped into the driving seat. and the
coupe swerved out into the yard. Melville
scrambled into the narrow space behind, leav-
ing the front seat for Mr. Brydon, and the
car leapt, forward, heading for the open gate
beside the house. A figure came striding into
view from the roadway, but it was not Mr..
Brydon. The iron gate changed shut; and
with rasp of tires on the gravel. Margaret
brought the coupe to a jarring STOP
Its Fechner!" cried Richard. his heart
sinking as he saw in the mans outstretched
hand a revolver that glinted in the light of
the coupe's headlamps
This way " 1t was Margaret who
broke the spell. Gripping Richards arm she
jumped out on the gravel, and he followed
her. Fechner had seen the movement, for he
called out harsh order and backed it up
with revolver shot The bullet glanced off
the metal panelling. The next instant,
Richard had darted after Margaret into the
shrubbery.
Fechner was now between them and the
house, and he shouted again. But Margaret
ignored the command. and second shot tore
through the leaves above their heads. She
halted only to open a door in the garden
wall; and pulling it shut behind them, she
led the way across the road and scrambled
over a gate. Their footsteps made no sound
on the soft turf as they ran across the field,
and they dropped painting beyond clump
of gorse bushes.
Whats to be done?" Melville was in
despair. I'VE can't leave your father in that
brute's hands. I'm going back E"
But the girl grasped his arm and held
him. you can't! Fechner's got gun and
he'll use it - he's desperate.
But your father -"
1T isn't Daddy'he wants - it's you. You
have the formulae - that's what he's after,
and he'd kill you to get it. If he sees you've
got away. he'll probably clear out" She
pointed to the cliff that rose in black mass
above them. Let's 60 up there - we'll be
able to see what's happening"
Scrambling on hands and knees, Richard
followed the girl upward For little way
the path was mere sheep track among the
gorse. but presently the slope grew sleeper,
and there were places where re hauled him.
self up with difficulty. Climbing rapidly.
they reached wide ledge of rock.
"Lookr' She pointed down at the house on
the lower cliff to the east. The moonlight cut
white moving flrrow across the surface of
the sea. The tall square house stood out
sharply. Two men were on the terrace in
front of it. One of them was Fechner but
the other -.
"It'e EuueneV' evclo;roesi Nel1,;llo s'EJa'e