Part 7 (2/2)

What did happen never could have happened but for the fog, which it will be remembered blew in more thickly just about the time she disappeared.

Alice stood watching the box, never thinking of danger, when suddenly a cloth of some sort was thrown over her head from behind, and by a strong hand gathered in about her throat.

No doubt she had been closely watched previous to this by sharp eyes peering out of the mist.

The thing was done so suddenly that Alice was taken wholly unawares, and when a voice said in Chinese: ”There are two revolvers covering you, Miss Montgomery; utter a sound and you will be instantly shot,” all she could do was to submit, especially as the voice added: ”And Young King Brady as well.”

”No shooting,” she said. ”I yield.”

Her voice was sadly m.u.f.fled under the big piece of burlap which had been thrown over her head.

Her arm was now clutched and she was drawn forward, the hand still retaining its grip on her throat.

She was so startled and mixed up that she could not tell in which direction she was being led, but they did not take her far.

Suddenly the clutch at her throat was released.

”Step up,” said the voice. ”I am about to a.s.sist you into an auto. Be careful. There! All right now. Sit down and behave yourself and you will slip through this trial easy enough.”

Was it a Chinaman who was speaking?

Certainly the voice was that of an Oriental of some sort, but to Alice it sounded more like the voice of an educated j.a.panese, although the language was that of the other race.

”May I have my head free now?” she asked. ”I am stifling.”

”Just a moment,” was the reply. ”They are bringing the box. When we start you shall be relieved.”

She heard them come; the box was lifted into the car, which seemed to be a long, three-seated affair, as near as Alice could judge.

Then the start was made, and so noiselessly was it all managed that there had scarce been a sound.

Immediately the burlap was withdrawn from Alice's head.

The car proved to be a closed one. By the light of its lamps Alice was able to get an uncertain view of her companion.

She shuddered as she recognized him.

”So it is you, Dr. Garshaski!” she breathed.

”Yes, Miss Montgomery, it is I,” replied the man, speaking now in English. ”I trust you will pardon this step on my part. It all came about by accident. I saw you standing there and I could not resist the temptation to at once seize upon the opportunity, and the woman of all others whom I devotedly love.”

Alice's heart sank.

There were three other men in the car.

<script>