Adventure Magazine, March 1916 — page 78: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= » ; ~~ ’ : z . = “ § © P- yo rt al = . - ox ~ ~~ s a 2 _ s ~— <... = 4 ~ 7 2 “a tA = a > c i - ~~ : Rye tt Jae Af rhs chi bea a 3 . ay 76 She bent over and examined it closely. “Ves,” she said. ‘It is marked North Branch.” “Tt means a fair-sized creek,” ”~ he. ex- plained. “In fact, I judge that it is quite a stream. Do you see where it empties?”’ Again she bent over in a close study of the map. Then she drew back and looked at him with eyes that were full of quick under- standing. “Tt empties into the western branch of that cove where Carter had his camp,” she said. ‘And it means,” he continued as if taking up the thread of her thought, “‘in all proba- bility, that. the tents were packed aboard their boat and they all ran together up the North Branch to this point here—’’ he in- dicated it on the map—‘“‘which is not more than five miles below Hackett’s Station.” She drew a sharp breath of apprehension. “Then,” she said, “Uncle Stephen and Mrs. Herriot have left the train at Hack- ett’s and have gone that five miles across _ country to the new camp that Carter has _ probably established on the North Branch?” “That is my conclusion exactly.” ““But—’” she drew her brows together in a frown of bewilderment—“how could a woman of Mrs. Herriot’s physique walk five miles across such uninhabited country as that probably is?” He looked at her steadily for an instant and then said quietly— “You forget Phil Conway’s automobile.” She gave a little gasp of fright. “Oh!” she cried. ‘You think they have taken him there?” “Tt would not surprise me in the least. It looks to me as though this is the final rendez- vous for the whole gang. I believe they are getting together to do whatever is left to be done, and I also believe that this camp is - likely to have a sudden visit from them within twenty-four hours.” “An attack?” He nodded grimly. “We know too much for their safety,’ ” he reminded her. “They have not hesitated to _ remove a man as prominent as Mr. Conway. I do not think that they will hesitate at any- thing now. So we must go to Sea View at once for two reasons—they must’ not find us here, and we must talk to Mr. Greiner over the long-distance ’phone.” She rose calmly and her eyes did not be- tray the slightest sign of fear. Adventure “Very well,” she said quietly. ready in five minutes. I imagine I can take a grip along with my necessary things, can’t TP? “Certainly. And your maid can take one on the motorcycle.” She walked slowly over to the flap and paused there, turning to speak to him. “When you talk to Mr. Greiner,’ she said finally, “will you let me be there? I want to know the very worst he has found out. I want to try to see just what this complex situation is that surrounds me.” “Certainly,” Ward agreed. “TI think it very probable that Mr. Greiner will want to ask you some questions about your part in the mystery. For you have played an im- portant part, you know.” “Yes,” she said. ‘But a perfectly inno- cent one—and I was absolutely in the dark as to its significance.” “You will answer Mr. Greiner’s questions, then?” “T will tell anything you or he wants to know. I have nothing to conceal now.” “Good. Then get ready as soon as you can, please, and we will be off. We may have to make another flight before the night is over.” “Vou mean——”’ She started and stared at him with flush- ed cheeks and eyes that shone. “T mean,” he said, “to that new camp that these men have established on the North Branch below Hackett’s Station.” CHAPTER XV THE WIRE TO HACKETT’S @ hae let Carl and, the pretty little maid start from the camp first. Speedy as was the motorcycle along the firm, smooth sand of the beach, the swift aero- plane would soon outstrip it ina race. “T want you to get there some time ahead of us,’ Ward told the mechanician. “You are to go straight to the hotel, where Hed- vig will engage rooms for Miss Blaydon and herself. You are then to get Caprice’s ten- der and run across the inlet to our old camp on Long Point. That is where I shall land.” “Ves, sir,” said Carl. “I can keep my promise to the telegraph operator, too, and return his motorcycle to him as soon as we get there. His office is in the basement of the hotel, you know.” COPMICOOOKS “T can be (F@