Part 17 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIV

THE MIDNIGHT TOW

Afriends that night could scarcely be ih Cora did tramp around after Ed and his laood reason to be alarmed As for Bess and Belle, they were, as Hazel said, ”tied up in a knot” on the bottom of Cora's car, too terrified to cry Hazel herself felt no inclination to explore on her own account, but was actually walking on Jack's heels, as he poked thethe mysterious shadow that had been seen to rass

But he was not found--a big slouch hat being the only tangible clew unearthed to a real personality And this Walter dug out of a hole near a rear wheel of the _Whirlwind_

”Don't tell the girls,” he whispered to Jack, ”but here's his top-piece”

”Put it away--in the _Coht need it,” said Jack, in the sahtened,” began Ed ”What do you say to all crowding into the _Whirlwind_ and talking it out the rest of the night? We could h to scare away a dozen traht, even Bess and Belle venturing to poke their heads out of the tonneau door to beg the boys ”all to coht of Miss Robbins! It was now aof the girls' lost nerves And Ed, Jack and Walter undertook the task with considerable irls it irls asked for was protection--all the boys thought of giving was confidence

”My poor, dear _Whirlwind_” sighed Cora, as Ed assisted her into the tonneau ”To think that you have ,” interrupted Walter gallantly ”It is up to us We deserted you just to see ould ht”

Bess, Belle and Hazel found plenty of room on the broad-cushi+oned seat, while Jack decided that he wouldn'tdown on the floor beside Cora, who had the folding chair

Ed and Walter took their places outside ”on the box,” and when the three other cars were lined up close the dark, dreary night under the trees, with the prospect of a htened up sos look htful before She actually laughed at everything Jack said, and agreed that it would be fun to live in a motor houseboat

Cora alone was silent She pleaded fatigue, but Jack knew that his sister did not give in to fatigue so easily; he also knew that she had seen the gypsy's hat!

She lay with her head pillowed on her brother's shoulder and closed her eyes, feigning sleep

It was the same little sister Jack often told stories to, and the salad to rest where s it had rested, when the o to bed all alone, please, Jackie dear!”

”It's a great thing to have a brother,” blurted out Bess, in her ridiculous way, until Jack declared that he had another shoulder, and she ht appropriate it if she wished to be a ”sister” to hiht,” admitted Belle ”I think, after this trip, I will plan ht”

”But this was so planned,” said Cora ”Whoever thought ould be stalled, that ould lose Miss Robbins, and that ould have to caht in the _Whirlwind_?”

”Of course, whoever thought it?” agreed Jack, stroking the head on his shoulder

”Do you suppose Walter and Ed are dead?” asked Cora

”Not that, but sleeping,” returned Jack ”If they die they will never forget it as long as they live There is a sacred duty in standing picket duty”

”Oh, a light!” suddenly screa this way!”

”Steady, there,” shouted Ed, in his clear, deep voice ”Pass to the left!” and he tooted the horn of the _Whirlwind_

”A h the wind shi+eld