CHAPTER XIV
SURPRISED AT HERSELF
After the chauffeur's ignominious retreat Mrs. Andrews was uncertain what to do. The place was strange to her, and she had no idea how far she was from home. She looked up and down the road, but not a sign of a human habitation could she behold. The only spark of hope was a break in the forest a short distance ahead, and thinking that there might be a house near, she hastened forward. She had not advanced far when a light to the left attracted her attention. This was encouraging, so keeping steadily on, she ere long reached a gateway. The light came from a house over in a cleared field, and with this to guide her she soon reached the building and rapped upon the door. It was opened by a woman, who stared in amazement at the night visitor. A slight cry of fear also escaped her lips, for Mrs. Andrews presented a somewhat formidable appearance. Her hat was lop-sided, her hair dishevelled, her clothes covered with dust, and her face strained and defiant.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" the woman in the door asked.
"I want the police," was the curt reply.
"The police!"
"Yes. An attempt has been made upon my life, and I only barely escaped. Oh, it was terrible!"
"Isn't that awful!" and the woman held up her hands in fear, at the same time glancing anxiously around. "But there are no policemen here."
"I know that. But isn't there a telephone somewhere near? I must send word to town at once and have that villain arrested."
"We have a telephone at our store," the woman explained. "My husband would phone for you, if he knew about your trouble."