r persuasions. However much it might cost him, he would
carry out his intention to the bitter end, even though its fulfillment
might involve the shattering of the whole significance of life.

"Besides,"--his voice cut across the familiar tenor of her
thoughts--"Kent will probably stop to dine at some hotel _en route_. We
shan't. We'll feed as we go."

"Oh--h!" A gasp of horrified recollection escaped her. "I never thought
of it! Of course you've had no dinner!"

He laughed. "Have you?" he asked amusedly.

"No, but that's different."

"Well, we'll even matters up by having some sandwiches together
presently. Mrs. Judson has packed some in."

Sara was silent, inwardly dwelling on the fact that no least detail
ever seemed to escape Garth's attention. Even in the hurry of their
departure, and with the whole scheme of Molly's rescue to envisage, he
had yet found time to order due provision for the journey.

An hour later they pulled up at the principal hotel of the first big
town on the route, and Garth elicited the fact that a car answering to
the description of Lester Kent's had stopped there, but only for a bare
ten minutes which had enabled its occupants to snatch a hasty meal.

"They've been here and gone straight on," he reported to Sara.
"Evidently Kent's taking no chances"--grimly. And a moment later they
were on their way once more.

Dusk deepened into dark, and the car's great headlights cut out a
blazing track of gold in front of them as they rushed along the pale
ribbon of road that stretched ahead--mile after interminable mile.

On either side, dark woods merged into the deeper darkness of the
encroaching night, seeming to slip past them like some ghostly marching
army as the car tore its way between the ranks of shadowy trunks.
Overhead, a few stars crept out, puncturing the expanse of darkening
sky--pale, tremulous sparks of light in contrast with the steady, warmly
golden glow that streamed from the lights of the car.

Presently Garth slackened speed.

"Why are you stopping?" Sara's voice, shrilling a little with anxiety,
came to him out of the darkness.

"I'm not stopping. I'm only slowing down a bit, because I think it's
quite feeding time. Do you mind opening those two leather attachments
fixed in front of you? Such nectar and ambrosia as Mrs. Judson has
provided is in there."

Sara leaned forward, and unbuckling the lid of a flattish leather case
which, together with another containing a