Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-05-12
CHAPTER Is

MS sue dS pOSSIUlc III Vic SNAAooAA'
where all lights had been extinguish-
ed so that they might watch the des-
cending plane. Her shivering body
was close to his. For the first time
that they had been together she seem
ed eager to creep into his arms. Fol-
some reason or other fear had over
taken her. She was terrified by the
loneliness which had accompanied it
Her eyes pleaded with him. She was
trembling for just a reassuring touch
Her lips would have been unlocked
in a single moment if he had spoken
the word.
Matresser was looking down at her
perhaps with more kindness in his
eyes than she had ever seen there be-
fore, yet his mouth was hopelessly
set, the lines in his face were deep
ened and he shook his head slowly.
eff 1 leave in that plane" he said,
81 must leave alone. There is no
changing that"
'I would like then, to leave in my
own carr she announced.
He passed his arm through hers and
drew her away through the great oak
portals of the room and across the
courtyard. The bonfire in the Park
was burning brightly now and the
plane was sweeping around it, slower
and slower.
No one noticed them as they pass
ed towards the garage. Everyone was
gazing toward the sky.
81 had hoped to find you a little
more reasonable" he complained.
cit is you who are unreasonable"
she declared coldly. "You have
changed. You have adopted an air
of authority. 1t is admirable in a
way but I do not like to have it ex-
ercised against me. I simply asked
to be your fellow passenger. I should
have been no trouble-no response
bility. If evil had come should have
met it eagerly-with you."
"You are asking for an impossi-
bility," he replied. "Under no con-
ditions could 1 accept anyone as a
fellow passenger on this Journey"
Elisabeth made no reply.
On foot, Elisabeth and Matresser
had reached the garage. A sergeant
of police was standing in front of it.
"Your lordship will excuse me-" the
sergeant begged. "The orders are
that no car is to leave"
Don't be foolish, Harrison" Mat
reser enjoined. "This is my garage
and on my property. I take full re-
sponsibility for what I am doing"
The man saluted and stood to one
side.
A footman from the House arriv-
ed with a suitcase. Matresser him
self backed the small car into the
drive. Elisabeth ensconced herself in
it and with some reluctance held out
her hand. Her eyes were very sad
but she struggled with smile.
cit was not like this" she confid-
ed, "that 1 wished to leave the Great
House."
Matresser crossed the north end of
the Park with swift footsteps and
stood amid the little crowd which saw
the plane finally come to standstill.
The mechanic and pilot, it's sole occu-
pants, unstrapped themselves and des-
cended. The pilot-a tall, fair-hair-
ed an blue-eyed young stretch
ed himself once, removed his helmet
and came across toward the outstand-
ing figure of the scattered group. He
saluted.
"You have come for me?" Mattress
ser asked.
1--WE have come" the young man
answered in correct but rather hest
tating English, "to be on the spot
when the time comes for you to join
us. We do nothing until you have
spoken with those who give the di-
rections."
at see," was the somewhat disap-
pointed reply.
1--WE can put your kit aboard, sir"
the young man proposed. "My me-
ehanic will need half hour with the
engine. 1 should introduce myself.
We have no names in this service. I
am Pilot Number IT,"
Capital! I am Lord Matresser.
You will come along to the House
with me. There will be time for
bath and some dinner, perhaps"
The pilot shook his head. "My or
ders forbid me to leave the plane"
he .nnrrnhAnd Thor, ha added.