The Drums of Jeopardy

"I believe I've hit upon a plan," said Kitty. "Certainly we have not

been followed. In that event they would have had a dozen chances. If

someone saw us leave together, naturally they will expect us to return

together. We'll walk to the corner of our block, then turn east; but

I shall remain just out of sight while you will go round the block.

Fifteen minutes should carry you to the south corner. I'll be on watch

for you. The moment you turn I'll walk toward you. It will give us a bit

of a handicap in case that taxi is a menace. If any one appears, run for

it. Where's the cane you had?"

"What a jolly ass I am! I remember now. I left the stick against the

wall of the opera house. Blockhead! With a stick, now!... I'm hopeless!"

"Never mind. Let's start. That taxi may be perfectly honest. It's our

guilty consciences that are peopling the shadows with goblins. What

really bothers us is that we have broken our word to the kindliest man

in all this world."

Hawksley wondered if he could walk round the block without falling down.

He saw that he was facing a physical collapse, hastened by the knowledge

that the safety of the girl depended largely upon himself. What he

had accepted at the beginning as strength had been nothing more than

exhilaration and nerve energy. There was now nothing but the latter, and

only feeble straws at that. Oh, he would manage somehow; he jolly well

had to; and there was a bare chance of falling in with a bobby. But run?

Honestly, now, how the devil was a chap to run on a pair of spools?

Arriving at the appointed spot they separated. He waved his hand airily

and marched off. If he fell it would be out of sight, where the girl

could not see him. Clever chap--what? Damned rotter! For himself he did

not care. He was weary of this game of hide and seek. But to have lured

the girl into it! When he turned the first corner of his journey he

paused and leaned against the wall, his eyes shut. When he opened them

the sidewalk and the street lamps were normal again.

As soon as he disappeared a new plan came to Kitty. She put it into

execution at once, on the basis that yonder taxicab was an enemy

machine. She left her retreat and walked boldly down the street, her

eyes alert for the least suspicious sign. If she could make the entrance

before they suspected the trick, she could obtain help before Johnny

Two-Hawks made the south turn. She reached her objective, pushed through

the revolving doors, and turned. Dimly she could see the taxi driver;

but he appeared to be dozing on the seat.