hief of the gang,
warned of danger by Charley's non-arrival, might make his getaway.
Perhaps he could commandeer an automobile. Late as it was, an
occasional car still passed on the highway. Evan hastened back.

As he turned the bend in the road he saw the lights of a car standing
in the main road with engine softly running. Evan prudently slowed
down. The occupants could not possibly see him yet. They were
talking. Evan listened.

One said: "Well, it's all over now, anyway."

Another replied. "Come on in, and let's see what was the matter?"

"Into that black hole? Not on your life!"

"We have flashlights."

"Yes, and a nice mark they'd make for bullets!"

This was sufficiently reassuring. Evan showed himself. He saw an
expensive runabout with two young fellows in it. They burst out
simultaneously:

"What's the matter?"

"Oh, I had a fight with a crook in there," said Evan. "They have a
hang-out in an old abandoned house."

"Do you want any help?"

"No thanks. I've got him tied up. But I wish you'd go for the police
if you don't mind."

"Sure thing! The nearest station's in Tremont, five miles over bad
roads. We'll bring 'em back in half an hour!"

In his excitement the young fellow threw his clutch in, and the big car
leaped down the road before Evan could give him any further particulars.

On his way back Evan felt certain compunctions at the sight of Charley
lying bound in the road. After all, Charley had been his friend for
many a year. He wouldn't mind saving him from the consequences of his
own folly if he could. That the police might not discover him when
they came, Evan dragged him out of the road, and under a thick leafy
bush to one side. Charley made imploring sounds through the gag. Evan
continued along the rough track. He had the pocket flash to help him
over the rough places now. In a quarter of a mile or more from the
highway he came upon the dark mass of the old house rising against the
night sky. It stood on a little rise in the midst of its clearing,
which could scarcely be called a clearing now, for except in a small
space immediately around the building the young trees were rising
thickly.

It was a square block of a design somewhat freakish for a country
residence, since the principal storey was above the entrance floor.
There was a row of tall windows here, and above these windows an attic
in the style of the eighteenth century. The tall windows evidently