of sight.

Deaves shuddered. "I wish I was safe inside!" he murmured.

Evan took careful note of their surroundings. On the corner where they
stood was a stationery store, and across Beechurst street was a saloon.
"Someone watching us from in there I'll be bound," thought Evan. If he
had been alone he would have gone in. Across Stonewall avenue from the
saloon was the church aforementioned, and the fourth corner was vacant.

They turned up Beechurst street, which was swallowed up in unrelieved
blackness a few yards ahead.

"I feel as if there were watching eyes on every side of us," said
Deaves tremulously.

"They're welcome to look at me if it does them any good," said Evan
lightly.

"You carry the package," said Deaves.

"Aren't you afraid I might skip with it?" said Evan teasingly.

Deaves had no humour. He hastily took the package back. Evan chuckled.

The sidewalk ended abruptly, and they took to the centre of the street.
Here they found a rough and stony road grown high with weeds on either
hand. Mounds of ashes and tin cans obstructed the way; an automobile
would have found it well-nigh impassable. It wound across that ugly
no-man's land between the pavements and the cultivated land. What with
his terrors and the tenderness of his feet, Deaves made heavy going
over the stones.

To complete his demoralisation, a shrill whistle presently rang out of
the dark behind them. Deaves gasped and clutched Evan.

"That's only their signal that all's well," said Evan.

"This is no place for me!" moaned Deaves.

The road became a little smoother, and alongside they saw the neat rows
of a market garden. Evan sniffed that curious odor compounded of
growing vegetables and fertilizer. Then the road dipped into a hollow
and thick bushes rose on either side. The air was sweet of the open
countryside here. It was very dark under the bushes. Deaves clung to
Evan's arm.

Suddenly they found themselves surrounded by several figures with
masked faces. A crisp voice commanded:

"Hands up, gentlemen!"

Deaves obeyed so quickly that the package rolled on the ground.
Somebody sniggered. The first voice sternly bade him to be quiet.
Deaves stooped to pick up the precious package. He was ordered to let
it lie. Evan and Deaves, their hands aloft, were rapidly and
thoroughly frisked for weapons. Deaves gasped with terror when they
touched him. The spot was so dark, Evan could make but few
observations.