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r . V Xk/ Meredith Nlcholedn CHARLES 9CR1BNEKS SONS - RELEASED THRU PUBUSHERS AUTOCASTER aERX^CE ^ « INTRODUCTION Archibald Bennett, wealthy bache lor, travels constantly in the interest of his health. He meets Isabel Perry, who- recommends a life of crime, ad venture, romance and excitement as 4 cure for his nerves. Archie groes to Bailey Harbor to investigate a sum mer house for his sister. A heavy storm forces him to spend the night there. During the nighjb Ke is awaken ed by footsteps. ifid ih an encounter with the-intruder, who sees Archie’s figure reflected in the mirror and shoots. Archie fires in return, wound ing the intruder, who makes his es cape. Archie plans flight to evade ‘publicity. He starts cross-country afoot in the night. At dawn he is stopped on a lonely country road by “The Governor,” master-mind criminal who mistakes him for a fellow criminal. Archie, fleeing, is afraid to tell the truth— falls in with “The Governor,” is whisk-’ ed across country in a stolen car. Sees story in newspaper of killing at Bai ley Harbor and, frightened, decides to say nothing but stick with his strange friend and await developments. At Cdrtifdrd, N. H. r Archie, cpmea upon Isabel Perry at the hotel desk but she refuses to recognize him. The Gover nor, by a clever plan, switches stolen money for good money. Archie used as decoy—making love to niece of agent sent to meet eccentric Congdon here next day. Archie and the Gover nor drive away without creating sus picion and speed across state to deliv er the $60,00(V to train-robber Leary at Walker’s farm, where Archie gets new insight into the workings of the criminal world. At the first opportu nity Walker’s daughter appeals to Ar chie to help her,elope with a young farmhand. He'decides to assist, cut ting away from the Governor and tak ing the couple across state in a wild night ride. Seeing Sally onto the train —he is rewarded with a fond farewell . kiss—and he turns to find Isabel Per ry had witnessed the whole scene. Is abel is not pleased at meeting Archie again arid accuses him of spying upon her. She tells him that if he has real ly shot Putney Congdon as he claims, he has ruined everything. Archie re turns to the hotel greatly mystified, i Next morning the Governor arrives— explains to Archie that he has aided Sallie to marry a notorious diamond thief—and that Sallie had deceived him concerning the whole affair. They proceed to New York to the Governor’s home, where they are vis ited by Julia, the Governor’s sister. Julia explains to Archie that her brother is passing through a strange phase—caused by a cruel shock some •time before. Now read on: f *■ CHAPTER X When the Governor reappeared Julia and Archie were seemingly in the midst of a leisurely discussion of the drama. Later, when they were again alone for a few moments, she slipped a sealed envelope into his hands. “If anything should happen to him I should like to know. It was understood between us when he called me by tel ephone this morning that I was not to hint in any way as to his ideatity, or mine, for . t . h w. matter, and I shall not break faith with him. I trust you completely. I shall be at that address until the first of October. You can wire me in any emergency.” Shortly after, she took her leave. Archie learned from Baring, who brought up his breakfast, that the Governor had left the house, and would hardly return before six. Later he chose a stick with care from the rack at the front door, walk ed to the Avenue and turned deter-, minedly cityward, walking jauntily. He grinned as he saw seated in the upper window of the most, conserva tive of all his clubs one of his several prosperous uncles, and having suffi ciently exposed himself to the eyes of the world he determined to eat lunch eon in the park restaurant. He watch ed idly a young "woman with two chil dren who occupied a table directly in his line of vision. Children always- in terested him, and the boy was a hand 1 some little fellow, B^t it was the girl whcr held Archie!* attention, with a perplexed sense that he had seen her before. The fine oval face, the eyes twaptitd vt dancing with merriment, sent his— j . thoughts flying to Builoy Harbor. 4 by a nap and a shower, He continued to inspect them with Arch., was dressed and wa.tmg for a deepening conviction that the woman ‘ he »t «ven, who armed a was Mrs. Congdon. it was a dispirit- fcwm.nutes later, ing thought that there under his eyes, Here s an extra I picked up down- so close-that the .babble of the children town. The scream of the evening is occasionally reached him across the kidnapping—most deplorable line o: intervening tables, was the family of business- the man he had shot. . While Archie waited for the Cover The Congdons had eaten their meal: nor to dresr, he carefully read the ac- hurrtedly and were already paying! count u. th. Kidnapping in the park, their check. He watched them move The police had not yet learned that the away toward the interior of the park, 1 two most important witrtesses had giv- marked their directiop and chose a en ficticious names. cry of a child in terror. ' “Help! Help! Oh, Edith! Edith!” The cries sent him at a run toward the place in which he left the Cong dons. Rounding a curve ifl the path he saw a man 'rushing down the road with Edith in his arms. Archie redoubled his pace, passed Mrs. Congdon and gained the car as the man with the child in his arms, jumped into it. The car was moving rapidly and a man’s voice bade the driver ’ hurry. Within the child’s screams were suddenly stifled, the' door swung open for an instant, and a blow, delivered full in the face, sent Archie reeling into the road. When he gained his feet, Mrs. Cong don stood beside him moaning and wringing her hands. A mounted po liceman rode upon the scene, listened for an instant to Archie’s explana tions, and, sounding his.whistle, set off after the car at a gallop.'’ Mrs. Congdon had fainted. Archie’s nose bled from the rap in the face and his back ached where he had struck the earth. The sergeant plied him with questions which he answered carefully. When his name was asked he answer ed promptly.* “John B. Wright, Boston; stopping at the Hotel Granymede.” “Business?” “Broker, Nanonet building, Boston." Mrs. Congdon had recovered suffi ciently to tell her story, and to Ar chie’s relief corroborated his own ver sion in a manner to dispose of any question as to his innocence. Her com posure struck Archie as remarkable and her replies to the officer's ques tions were brief and exact. To Ar chie’s surprise, she gave her name as: “Mrs. George W. Kendall, 117 East Comipg street, Brooklyn.” It was incredible that any one could lie with so convincing an air. He was satisfied that she was Mrs. Congdon, and that the child she called Edith was the original of the photograph he had seen at Bailey Harbor. When the own ers of several machines offered to take her home, she glanced about uncer tainly and -her eyes falling upon him seemed to invite his assistance. “Pardon me, but if I can serve you in any way—” “Thank you,” she said with relief. “I must get away from this; it’s un bearable.” For a few minutes she was busy comforting the child and Archie, deep in thought, turned to meet the search ing gaze of her gray eyes. “You are a gentleman"; I am sure of that; and I feel that I can trust you. I am in a strange predicament, and I*1n forced to ask your help. The name and address I gave the police were ficticious. I know it has a queer look; but I had to do it. I know per fectly well who carried *way my little girl. The man annd woman you saw in the car were servants employed by my father-in-law who cordially dis likes me. “Of course, I’m not going to Brook lyn. Please tell the man to drive to the Altmore, ladies’ entrance. I’ll walk through the main door and take anoth er taxi. Pm only sorry your name had to be brought into it.” ‘♦You needn’t bother about that at all," Archie replied with a reassuring smild. “The name and address I gave were both false." He looked at her covertly and they laughed with the mirth of children planning mischief in secret. “The little girl.” he ventyred; “you are not apprehensive about her?” “Not in the slightest. My father-in- law is most disagreeably eccentric, but he is very fond of my children. It was quite like him to attempt to carry off the little girl, always a particular pet of his. I was shocked, of course, when it happened. But I am not worried. I meant to put the children quite out of my husband’s way. It’s rather odd, as I think of it, that my husband did not personally try to take the child from me.” * This, uttered musingly, gave Archie a perturbed moment. But the car had reached the Altmore, and Ke lifted out the boy and accoippanied them to the door. . * “Thank you, very'much,” she said, in a tone that dismissed him. SI parallel course with a view to keeping .them in sight. Then a piercing scream, the shrill - In spite of the Governor’s frequently avowed assertion that he wished to know nothing about him, Archie felt strongly impelled to make a clean breast of the Bailey Harbor affair, the two encounters with Isabel and his meeting with Mrs. Congdon. His res olution strengthened when the Gover nor appeared, dressed with his usual care and exhilarated by his day’s ad ventures. Baring retired after the din ner had been served, and the Governor, in a cozy accord with his cigar, re marked suddenly: “Odd, you might almost say singu lar! I’ve crossed old man Congdon’s trail again! You recall him—the old boy we left to the tender mercies of Seebrook and Walters. Well, I met today one of the most remarkable of all the men I know who camp outside the pale. Perky is his name;—a jewel er by trade. He fell from his high es tate and went on the road as a yegg— then entered into the game of boring holes in the rim of twenty-dollar gold pieces, leaving only the outer • shell and filling ’em up with a composition he invented that made the coin ring like a marriage bell. While he was still expecunenting he ran into old Eliphalet'Vitting with his famous um brella on a bench In Boston Common. Perky thought Eliphalet was a stool pigeon for a con outfit, but explana tions followed and it was a case of in fatuation on both sides.' The old man was as tickled with the scheme as a boy with a new dog. He now assists Perky to circulate the spurious medi um of exchange. Perky says he’s a wonderfully, endowed with all the qualities of a first-class crook.’ r “You’ll appreciate that better," said Archie, “when you hear what I know about the Congdon family. You’ve been mighty decent in not pressing me for any account of myself, but you’ve got to hear my story now. We’ll prob ably both be more comfortable if I don’t tell you my name, but you shall have that, too, if you care for it. So many things have happened since I left Bailey Harbo^ that you don’t know about, things that I haven’t dared tell you, that I’m going to spout it all now and here. If you want to chuck me when you’ve heard it, well enough; but I don’t mind saying that to part with you would hurt me terrib-: ly. I never felt so dependent on any man as i do on you; and I’ve grown mighty , fond of you, old man.”. “Thank you, lad,” said the Gover nor. He listened patiently, nodding occa-1 sionally or throwing in a question, j When Archie finished he rose and slapped him on the shoulder. “By Jove, you’ve tossed my stars; around like so many dice! I’ve got to consult the oracles immediately." He darted from the room, and when Archie reached his study the Governor I was oring over a map of the heavens, j . “Your Isabel’s all tangled up in our affairs!” declared the Governor with mock resentment. She will dawn upon your gaze again very soon—I feel it coming. Our next move is outlined— we must go to Rochester.” “Would you mind telling me just what Rochester has to do with all this?” demanded Archie testily. “My dear boy, Rochester is one of the suburbs of Paradise . Y6u may re call that I told you of a certain tile in a summer house where my adored promised to leave a message for me if her heart softened or she needed me. Well, the secret post-office is at Rochester; there the incomparable vis its her aunt and about this time of year she’s likely to be there. And if you knew the way of the stars and could understand my calculations you’d see see that your Isabel is likely to have some business in that neigh borhood just now.” “Rubbish! I happen io know that her business was all to be in northern a Michigan this summer. Your stars have certainly made a monkey of you this time! You talk like a.nonsense book! How much luggage are we tak ing?” The Governor rang for Timmons to do their packing and fell upon a time table. They wrote themselves down on the hotel register at Rochester as Sauls- bury and Comly and were quickly in the rooms the Governor had engaged by wire. A short time later Archie found himself whisked away to a handsome residential area whefe the Governor dismissed the drvier at a corner and continued afoot for several blocks. The Governor ran his stick along the | top of a wall that grimly guarded the rear of the premises. He caught the edge and was quickly on top. When Archie hung back the Governor grasp ed him by the arms and swung him. up and dropped him into a dark corner | of the garden. Then he left him with ; the injunction to remain where he was. “Archie! 0, Archie!” the Governor whispered excitedly, brushing an en velope across the bewildered Archie’s face. “Strike a match before I perish.” He tore open the envelope and his fingers trembled as he held the note to the light. He read the two sheets to himself eagerly; then demanded a’ second match and read aloud: “If this reaches you, remain near at hand until T can see you. Please un derstand that I promise nothing, but it is very possible that you ipay be able t<f serve me. My aunt is giving a party for me Thursday night . I must leave it to you as to how best to ar- rAnge for 'a short interview the day following. ( A very dear friend needs help. The matter Is urgent. The match curled and fell upon Ar chie’s firigers. A tense silence lay up on -the “gartlen. The Governor clasp ed-Archie’s hand tightly. “It has come as I always knew it would come! And something tells me I am near the end.' Even with all my faith, boy, it’s staggering. And this is the very night of the dance.” “It’s about time for us to clear out,” Archie remarked. “What! Leave this sacred soil when she’s here? Not on your life, Archie! I shall not leave till I’ve had speech with her.” The festal occasion offers an ideal opportunity for the meeting! li’s going to be a big affair and we can merge with the happy throng and trust to our wits to get us out alive. He urged Archie, still resisting, through the grounds to the front en trance, where they were admitted with several other guests who arrived at the moment. The stately old lady in the drawing room lifted a lorgnette as they approached, smiled affably and gave the Governor her hand. “Mrs. Lindsay, my friend, Mr. Com ly. He arrived unexpectedly an hour ago and I thought you wouldn’t mind my bringing him along. “I should have been displeased if you had hesitated a moment—any friend of yours, you know!” Other arrivals facilitated their es cape, and as they stepped into the con servatory the music ceased arid there was a flutter as the dancers sought seats, or stepped out upon the lawn. Archie, acutely uncomfortable, heard the Governor stifle an exclamation. “That is she! Stand by me now! That chap’s just left her. This is our chance!” A young woman was just seating herself in a chair at the farther end of the conservatory. The Governor moved toward her quickly. Archie saw her lift her head suddenly and her lips parted as though she was about to' make an outcry. Then the Governor bowed low over her hand, uttering ex planations in a low tone. Her sur prise had yielded to what Archie, loi tering behind, thought an expression of relief an satisfaction. He moved forward as the Governor turned to ward him, n • , “Miss Hastings, Mr. Comly.” <fc My name here,” the Governor was saying, “is Saulsbury.” * think,” said Archie, “that the moment has come for me to retire.” . “We shall not turn you adrift!” cried Ruth. “I have a very dear friend T must introduce you to.” ' “Oh, Isabel!” Following her gaze he was glad of I the slightest pressure of her tumd. on his arm. Here at least was something tangible in a world that tottered chaos. For it was Isabel Perry who turned at the sound of Ruth’s voice. “Miss Perry, Mr. Comly!” “Oh, Mr. Comly!” There was the slightest stress on the assumed name. “After this dance—” She slipped away, leaving him star ing, and Archie, in a daze, lead Ruth back to the Governor. At the conclusion of the nuinbef, Isabel remained, to Archie’s discomfi ture, at fhe farther end of the plat form, and when he hurried forward in the hope of detaching her from the group that surrounded her she did not see him at all, which was wholly dis couraging. A partner sought her for the next dance and as the music struck up he made bold to accost her. “I am not to be eluded!” he said. “I must have At least one dance!” “My card is filled—but I am reserv ing a boom for you! You shall have the intermisaion.” He passed Ruth, returning to put herself in the path of her next part ner. 4 “This is your punishment for coming late!” laughed tjje girl. There was happiness in her eyes. “How perfectly ridiculous you two men are!” “Suppose we talk a bit,* said-the Govemor when they had found a bench on the lawn. “It’s nearing the end!” he said sol emnly. “Thete are other changes n M chances, perhaps, but the end is in sight. The whole thing was unaltdK. able from the beginning; it makes Ht-i tie difference what we do now. And it’s you—it’s you that have brought it all about. We are bound together by ties not of earthly making.” ,, — T “You are beginning to believe at last?” “I don’t know what to believe,” Ar chie answered slowly. “Just how much do you understand of it?” “Precious little! Your Isabel and my Ruth are friends, quite intimate friends indeed. .* That’s news to you, isn’t it?” . - “Most astonishing news!” “And now I’ll prepare you a little for what I prefer you should hear from Isabel—I got it from Ruth— you’re not quite satisfied yet with that pistol shot in the Congdon house. It seems to be echoing round the world!” (Continued next week.) •rws^N Eggs When You Want Them! i: OU do not take a chance when you are feeding Purina Poultry, Chows. When you get your Purina Poultry Chows, we will give you, free, egg record blanks, so you can mark on them the extra eggs you get every day. 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