North Carolina Newspapers

HOKE cdUNTT JOURNAL, |i >ItO, N. C. ♦ " CHAPTER XJ^tlnued AGATHA CHRISTXBr m ft’ i- 55 H- —16— •Walt a moment.” He nn back to Cic station and tackled tbe porter anew. • “Look bere, do yon remember a ytmnc lady who arrived by an earlier train, ..the 12:50 from London? She'd imbably ask you the way to the "Moat hotiae.” _He described Tuppence as well a.s be could, but the -^porter shook bis bead. Serora! people had arrived by the train in question. He could not call to mind one young lady in particu lar. Tommy rejoined Julius, and ex plained. Depression was settling dowu on him like a leaden weight. He feit convinced that their quest was going to be unsuccessfui. The enemy had over three hours* start. Three hours wka more than enough for Mr. Brown. He would not Ignore the possibility of the telegram having been found. The way seemed endless. It was past seven o’clock when a small boy told them that “f Moat house” was Just past the next corner. A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on Its hinges! An overgrown drive thick with leaves. There was some thing about the place that struck a chill to both their hearts. A turn of the drive brought them In sight of the house. That, too, seemed empty and deserted. Was It indeed to this desolate spot that Tupj^ence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to believe that a human footstep bad passed this way for months. Julius Jerked the rusty bell handle. A Jan gling peal rang discordantly, echoing through the emptiness within. No one came. They rang again and again— but there was no sign of life. Then they walked completely round the house. Everywhere silence, and sliut- tered wlndowa i "Nothing doing,” said Juliusj They retraced their steps slowly to the gate. “There must be a village handy,” continued the young American. “We'd better make inquiries there. They’ll know something about the place, and whether there’s been any one there lately.” “Yes, that’s not a bad idea.” Proceeding up the road,,they soon came to a little hamlet. On the out- akirts of It, they met a workman swing ing his bag of tools, and Tommy stopped him with a questimi. •The Moat house? It's empty. Been empty for years. Mrs. Sweeny’s got the key If you want to go over It—next to the post oflBce.” Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, and knodced at the door of the cottage next to it. A dean, ^ wholesome-looking woman I opened it She readily produced the key of the Moat house. ^ “Though I doubt If It’s the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. Twould need a lot of money spent on It” “That’s all right We’ll have a look around this evening, anyway. By the Copjni^tDedd, Ciifn»iiy seen fier ‘'That8 Tuppence’s!” “Are you sure?” “Absolutely. I’ve often wear it.” >. Julius drew a deep breath. guess that settles it She came as far as here, anyway. We’ll make that pub our headquarters, and raise h—11 round here until we find her. .Somebody must have seen her.” Forthwith the campaign began. Julius wired to town for !.:s car, and they scoured the neighbtii hood daily with unflagging zeal. Julius was i:;.3 a houn^ on the leash. He followed up the slenderest clue, Ijpt, as day suc ceeded day. they were no nearer to dis covering Tuppence’s wherea bout’s. So well had the abduction boi-n planned that the girl seemed UteraJiy to have vanished Into thin air. And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy’s mind. “Do you know how long We’Ve been herg?" he asked one morning as they sat facing each other at breakfast. “A week! We’re no nearer to finding Tuppence, and next Sunday is the 29th! Today’s the 23rd, and time’s get ting short. If we’re ever going to get hold of her at all, we must do It before the 29th—her life won’t be worth an hour’s purchase afterward. The host age game will be played out by then. We’ve wasted time and we’re no for- radec.” “I’m with you there. We’ve been a couple of mutts, who’ve bitten off a bigger bit than they can chew. I’m going right back to London to put the case in the hands of your British police. Scotland Yard for me! I guess the professional always scores over the amateur lii the end. Are you coming along with me?” Tommy shook his head. “What’s the good? One of us Is enough. I might as.well stay here and nose round a bit longer. Some thing might turn up. One never knows.” “Sure thing. Well, so long. I’ll be back in a couple of shakes with a few Inspectors^long. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and best.” But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire: “Join me Manchester Midland hotel. Important news—Julius." At 7:30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train. Julius was on the platform. Tommy grasped him by the ana. “What is it? Is Tuppence found?" Julius shook his head. “No. But I found this waiting London. Just arrived.” He handed the telegraph form the other. Tommy’s eyes opened he read: “Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland’hotel Immediately—Peel Edg- erton.” Julius took the form back ahd folded it “Queer,’'Lfce said thoughtfully, thodght that lawyer chap had quit.” He Gave a Sudden Cry, and Stooping, Picked Something Up From Among the Leaves. , way, you’ve not had a young lady here asking for thi#key today?” The woman shook her head. “No one’s been over the place, for a long time.” • “Thanks very much.” They retraced their steps to the Moat house. As the front door swung back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius stru^ a match and examined the flow carefully. Then he shook his head. “I’d swear no one’s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. Not a sign of a footmark.” " They wandered roupd the deserted bouse. Everywhere the same tale, Thick ^yers of ddst apparently jm disturbed. “We’ll fo over it again tomorrow,” ^'uald Tommy. “Perhaps we’ll see more in the daylight.” On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were reluctant ly forced jto the conclusion that the bouse had not been invaded for some considerable,^ time. They might bare left-the villatiie altogether hut for a fnrtuSate discovery of "Tommy’s. As they were retracing their steps .to the gate^lMe gave .a sudden gi7, and stoop ing, plckad sohietblng up from among the -leaves, and bald it out to Julius. It 'was a small gold brooeb. in to as I CHAPTER XII Jane Finn “My train got in half an hour ago,” explained*Julius, as he led the way out of the station, “i reckoned you'd come by this before I left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James. He’s booked rooms for us, and will be round to dine at eight.” Sir James arrived punctually at eight o’clock, and Julius introduced Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly. Immediately the first greetings were over JuHus broke out into a l.ood of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the girl? Why had he not let them know that he was still working on the case? And so on. Sir James stroked his 'chin and smiled. At last he said; “Just so. Just so. Well, she's found. And that’s the great thing, Isri’t it?, Eh! Come now, that’s the great filing?” “Sure It Is. But just how did yon strike her trait? Miss Tuppence and I thought you’d quit for good and all. But I guess I can take it we were wrong.” “Well, I don’t know^ that I should go so far as to say that. But It's certainly fortunate for all parties that we’ve managed to find the young lady.” “But where Is she?” demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on another tack. “I thought you’d be sure to bring her along?” “That would hardly be possible,” said Sir James gravely. "Why?” “Because the young lady was knocked down In a street accident, and has sustained slight Injuries to the head. She was taken to the Infirmary, and on recovering con^iousness gave her name as Jane Finn.” , “She’s not seriously hurt?” ‘ '“Oh, a bruise and a cut or two. Her state is probably to be attributed to the mental shock consequent on recov ering her memory.” “It’s come back?" cried Julius ex citedly. ( “Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheiramer, since she was able to give her real name. I thought you had appreciated that point.” “And you Just happened to be on the spot,” .said Tommy. “Seems quite like a %lrj' tale.” ' But sir James was far too wary to be drawn, i ‘ “Coincidences are" curious things,” ba said dryiy. Nevertheless Tommy was now cer tain of what he had before only sus pected. Sir James’ presence in Manchester was not accidental. Far from abandoning the case, as Julias supposed, he bad by some means of his own successfully run the missing girl to earth. The only thing that puzzled Tommy was the reason for all this secrecy. Julius was speaking. “After dinner,” he announced, “I shall go right a way and'see Jane." “That will be impossible, I fear,” V'd Sir James.j “It Is very unlikely tiiey would allow her to see visitors at this time of night. I should sug gest tomorrow morning about ten o’clock.” Julius flushed. There was some thing in Sir James which always stirred him to antagonism. “All the same, 1 reckon TU go round there tonight and see l£ I can’t ginger them up to break throu^ their silly rules.” “It will be quite useless, Mr. Her- sheimmer.” The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked up with a start. Julius was nervous and excited. The hand with which he raised his glass to his lips shook slightly, but his eyes held Sir James’ defiantly. For a moment the hostility between the two seemed likely to burst into flame, but In the end Julius his eyes, defeated. “For the moment, I reckon you're the boss.” ‘Thank you," said the other. “We will say ten o’clock then?*' With con summate ease of manner he turned to Tommy. “I must confess, Mr. Beres- ford, that It was something of a sur prise to me to see you here this evening. The last I heard of you was that your friends were in grave anx iety on your behalf. Nothing had been heard of you for some days, and Miss Tuppence was Inclined to think you had got into difficulties." “I had, sir!” Tommy grinned remi niscently. “I was never In a tighter place In my life.” Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated account of his adventures. The lawyer looked at him with renew’ed Interest as he brought the tale to a close. .“You got yourself out of a tight place very well," he said pavely. “1 congratulate you. You displayed a great deal -of ingenuity and-carried your part through well.” Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawn-llke hue at the praise;-^ “And since then? What bfive you been dolngr ' Forj a moment. Tommy stared at him. Then It dawned on him ^ that of course the lawyer did not know. “I forgot that you didn’t know about Tuppence,” he said slowly. Tlie lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply. “Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?” His voice was keen- edged. “She’s disappeared,” said Julius. “When?” “A week ago.” “How?” Sir James’ questions fairly shot out. Between them Tomtay and Julius gave the history of the last week and their futile search. Sir James went at once to the root of the matter. . - “A wire signed with your name? They knew enougl^of - you both for that. They werdS’tsure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their kidnaping of Miss Tuppence Is the counter-move to your escape. If necessary they could seal your lips with a threat of what might happen to her.” ‘That’s Just what 1 thouglit, sir.” Sir James looked at him keenly. ‘Tou had worked that out, had you? Not bad—not at all bad. The curious thing Is that they certainly did not know anything about you when they first held you prisoneri You are sure that you did not in any way disclose your Identity?” Tommy shook his head. “That’s .so,” siSJd Jtdius with a nod ‘Therefore I reckon some one put them wise—and not earlier than- Sun day afternoon.” “Yes, but who?” ‘That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of .course!" There was a faint note of derision ih the American’s voice which made Sir James look up sharply. “Y'ou don’t believe In Mr. Brown, Mr. Hershelmmer?” “No, sir, I do not,” retuAed the young American with emphasis. “Not as such, that Is to say. I reckon It out that he’s a figurehead—Just a bogy name to frighten the children with. The real head of this business Is that Russian chap Kramenin.” “I disagree with you,” said Sir James shortly. “Mr. Brown exists, He turned to Tommy. “Did .vou hap pen to notice where that wire was handed in?” “No, sir. I’m afraid I didn’t.” “H’m. Got it with you?” “It’s upstairs, sir, in my kit.” "I’d like to have a" look at it some time.' You’ve wasted a week. We’ll deal with Miss Jane Finn first. After ward, we’ll set to work to rescue Miss Tuppence from bond-age. I don’t think she’s In any immediate danger.” The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on the morrow, the great lawyer took hi^ leave. At ten o’clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir James ,bad Joined them on the doorstep. He ' alone appeared ipiexclted. 0e tDtn^ dneed them to-the doctor. “Mrf Hersbeimmer—Mr. Ber^Mford -HDr. Roylance. How’s the patient?* .^“Hoing on well. Evidently no idea of the flight" of time. Asked this morning bow many had been saved from the Lusitania. Sbe seems to have something on her mind, though.” *T think we can relieve her anxietf. May we go up?” “Certainly.” Tommy's heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstaink Jane Finn at last! The lung-squgbL, the mysterious, the elusive Jane Finn! How wildly improbable success bad seemed! And here in this bouse, her memory almost mlraculonsly restored, lay the girl who held the future of England in her hands. A half groan broke from Tommy’s lips. If only Tuppence could have been at his side to share in the triumphant conclusion of theirventure! Then he put the tboi^t of Tuppence resolutely aside. His confidence In SJ^ James was growing. There was a man who would unerringly ferret out Tuppence’s whereabouts. In the meantime Jane- Finn! And suddenly a dvpad clutched at his heart. It seemed too easy. . . . Suppose they should find her dead . . . stricken down by the hand of Mr, Brown? . In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies. The doctor held open the door of a room Fairy Tale- BOtWSl DUCKS’ PARTY said Mrs. Dnck. said Miss Dnck. said Mrs. Indian ’How Do, Cousin Jane?” Lightly. He Saia and. they'passed in. On the white bed, bandages round her head, lay the glrL Somehow the whole scene seemed un- reaL It was so exactly what one ex* pected that It gave the effect of being beautifully staged. j Toe girl looked from one to tht other of them with large wondering eyes. Sir James spoke first. j “Miss Finn," he said, “this is youi, cousin, Mr. Julius P. Hersbeimmer.” i A faint flush flitted over the girl’s' face, as Julius stepped forward and took her hand. I “How, do. Cousin Jane?” he said lightly. ! But Twnmy caught the tremor in his voice. i “Are you really Dncle Hiram’s son?" she asked wonderingly. I Her voice seemed vaguely familial to Tommy, but he thrust the Impres- ; sion aside as impossible. “Sure thing.” A shadow passed over the glrl’n face. “They’ve been telling me things— dreadful things—that my memory went, and that there are years I shall never know ahout^years lost out ol my life. It seems to me as though it were no time since we were being hustl^ into those boats. I can se€ it all now.” She closed her eyes with a shudder. Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded. | “Don’t worry any. It Isn’t worth It. Now, see here, Jane, there’s something we want to know about. There was a ■man aboard that boat with some mighty importimt papers on him, and the big guns In this country have got a notion that he passed on the goods to you. Is that so?” The girl hesitated, her glance shift ing to the other two. Julias unde^ stood. “Mr. Beresford Is commissioned by the British government to get those papers back. Sir .(ames Peel Edger- ton Is an English member of parlia ment, and might be a big gun in the cabinet if he liked.' It’s owing to him that we’ve ferreted you out at last. So you can go right ahead and tell us the whole story. Did Danvers give you the papers?” “Yes. He said they’d have a better chance with me, because they woul^l save the women nnd children first.” “Just as we thought,” said Sir James. (TO BE CONTINUED.) “Quack, quack,” “Quack, quack," “Quack, quack. Banner Duck. “Quack, quack,” 8ai| Miss Indian Buoner Duck. And aU the little ducklings said: "Quack, quackj quack, quack.” Then Mrs. Duck said: “Quack, quack, we are going to glva j a pkrty.' 1 am giving it in honor of my young daughter, Daisy Duck. Sb« ! is such a perf^t duck! Such a per* j feet duck 1 And I want to give her a party. I “It w'ill be a swimming party.” j “Quack, quack, oh dear,” said Mm Indian Banner Duck. IX “Quack, quack, oh ,dear,” said Miss . Indian Biinuer Duck. I “You know I’m not very fond of the irater,” said Mrs. Indian Runner Duck. I “In fact,” she added, “I don’t like the water. And I don’t believe I’U j enjoy your party. In facL I’m BOl : sure but that I have another invitation I on that day and wouldn’t be able to accept your very kind thought of me." I Mrs. Indian Bunner Duck felt that I perhaps she had not been very polite I and tried to make the last of her I speech sound better than the first. I “Oh” said Mrs. Duck, “I really hadn’t finished explaining about my party. “It wUl be a swimming party at first for all those w'hp care abbut swimming but after that it will be a barnyard party. “We wUl have all sort^ of fiin and we win finish off with a splendid dinner. “I” plan to have many different kinds of games played and I thought we’d have a parade which would be a great deal of fun. “Parades are always amusing. “Our par^e could be called th« Ducks’ Waddling Parade and we could ! sing or quack as we marched along. “I made up a marching song to sing as we waddled along. I suppose most j would say we couldn’t sing but no [ matter. In our quacking way It Is sing- I ing. I “And besides lots only make a noise who call it singing. So why should not _ the ducks do the same?” • j And all the ducks quacked. “The truth, quack, quack, the truth. Lots only make a noise and they call “Our Parade.” their noise singing, so why should not the ducks do the same? Why not, in deed?, Theie Is no reason why wa should not. So we will. Quack, quack, we will.” And Mrs. Duck said: “Quack, quack, I am so glad that all of you agree with me.” “Let ns hear the song,” they aU called. So Mrs. Duck recited tha marching song and this was It: “Quack, quack,/quack. Behind each other’s back. Let us inarch, march, marclil Quack, quack, quack!” And. then she took a breath and be gan to recite the second verse of tlte marching song which went like this: « ‘Quack, quack, quack. Even If grace we lack Let us march, march, marchl Quack, quack, quack!” The ducks all liked that verse and th^' quack-quacket^ for all they were worth. Thus encouraged Mrs, Duck went on: -■ • k 1 "Quack, quack, quack. For waddling at least we’ve a knack. So let’s march, march, march. Quack, quack, quack." And yet again YD’S. Duck paused and then began once more to let them liear another verse: "Quack, quack, quack. . Let no one step on a tack, I As we march, march,* march. Quack, quack, quack!” They all thought this was excellent advice and all said they would be careful not to do anything ol this To Polish Silver. Sllvef In daily use may be quickly' polished by placing in a shallow pan,' And then Mrs. Duck made them all covering jj:Wh cold water to which two practice their kind of singing and or thtee tablespoonfuls of baking soda quack-quacklim and told them more have been added, and allowing It to about the comi boll for live minutes., Drain and when cool rub off the white deposit with a soft towel. ' * Shelter for Building Workmen. The Japanese begin building their liouses at tlie top. The roof is first built and elevated on a skeleton frame. Then It affords shelter to the work men from storms. ' about the coming party and all de cided it would be a kplendld affair. And indeed It was beyond even their high hopes. . ’ ^Demosthenes, the foremost oratot of history, was born in Athens about July in" the year 385 B. 0, . After . Every neal Have a Nckel ia year It m ever-r pocket for ever-ready refreshawiiL Aids digestioo. Aflayt BiirsL Soothes the throat. For QMlity, Flavor and tfao foaled Paekace, #^THE TLAVOR LASTS Keep IStoBecli and Bewds Rii^ ^ givtag baby tbs baTmlaaa, ponlr h,*»i,i«’»iaghnil>«B*ai«gniatg. ii«s.wiwi0in svRUP bring* astonbblng.gratilringNsalta iB baby’s staoiseb digwt food and bowels mova as ^ th«y sboold St teething time. Gnsnmteed fie* front nsreotlcs, opi* * ntee, sicohoi and sU haimfnl ingradl* ante. Safa and aaHsfsrtory. Ia^ao IDraggisfli ^ WEAK, TREMBLY NERVES SHAHERED - '1 Lady Says She Was in a Desper-. ^ ate Condition, But '‘Now In Splendid Health” After Taking Cardui. Dalev Ind.—^“About three years ago,” says Mrs: Flora Roberts, of this places “i had the ‘flu.’ which left me In a des perate condition. 1 had a bad cough. I went dewn In weight to a little over one hundred pounds. I took different medicinhs—did everything, but nothing seemed to do me any good. I hurt so badly In the chest at times I would hare to go to the door to get my breath. “I would have the headache and . . . was so weak I felt like I would Just have to stnh down and stay there. ^ “My nerves were shattered. I looked for something .awful to happ«i—I wo^d tremble and tdiake at a n(dse. “Mly mother said, ‘Do try Cardui,’ and my hnsband insisted till I began Its use. I used two bottles of Cardui . . . and noted a big improvement In my condition. I kept up the Cardui and weigh 180 pounds. I am now In splen did health—sure am a firm believer In Cardui for I’m satisfied It did the work.” After-effects of debilitating illnesh often are as alarming as the Ulness it self. For women, Cardui, as a tonic, la especially Indicated. Thousands -of women who have taken It after serl-. ous Ulness have found .Cardui bene ficial in toning up certain functions, so essential to bodily reconstruction and good, sound health. THE WOMANS TONIC How He Came In. “Fm right proud of my son at col lege. He’s one of the most popular young fellars thar,” said Farmer a Hicks proudly. * “Ter don’t say so?” exclaimed a neighbor. “Y’ep; he recently gave a big dinner- dance In my honor at one of the most fashionable hotels;” “Wuz you thar?” ' “No, I wuzn’t.” “Wal, where do you come In?” “I paid for IL” . Exciting Times. "Well,” mused six-year-old Harry, as lie was being buttoned Into a clean white suit, "this has been an exciting week; hasn’t it, mother? Monday we went to the zoo, Wednesday I lost a tooth, Thursday was Lily’s birthday party. Friday I was sick, yesterday I IjuiI iny hair cut, ahd now here I am rushing off to Sunday school” Important Guest. Hubby came home and found "amar- gWment going on. His wife was try ing to give a bridge party. “What’s the row?” he demanded. “One of the guests is threatening to walk out,” explained his wife In a whisper. “I must conciliate her.” “Conciliate nothing. Let her walk out.” “Can’t be done, hubby. She’ll walk out with six chairs and four bVidge \ tables I borrowed from her."—Louis-, vllle Courier-Journal. ' ‘ Nervous 7 If Coffee disag^rees Drink Postum Shore's a Reason "