Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-19
Bv REX BEACH.
Copyright. 1912. BY Rex Beaeh.)

ness men OF the city. armed with powers
somewhat vaguely defined. hut In reality
extremely wide. He set himself diligent-
ly to his task.
There followed through the newspa-
pers an appeal 10 the Italian population
for assistance, and offers OF tremendous
rewards. This resulted in flood of let
tiers. some signed. but mostly Anonymous.
a multitude of shadowy clues. of wild sc-
cusations. But no sooner promls-
ing trail uncovered than the witness dis
appeared, or became inspired with II
terror which sealed his lips. II began Ia
appear that there was really no evidence
to be had beyond what Norvins eyes hal
photographed And this. he knew, Was
his brother-in-law.
While thus baffied and cropping for the
faintest clue. he received letter whirl
brought him at least ray of sunshine
He had opened perhaps half of his morn
ing's mail one day when he came upon
truly remarkable mssive. II was headed
with an amateurish drawing OF "A skull.
at the bottom of the sheet WAS "A dagger,
and over all in bright red was the life
size imprint of a small. plump hand.
In round. schoolgirl characters he read
as follows:
Beware, You are traitor and atde
serter: therefore you are doomed. Es-
cape is impossible unless you heed this
st. Charles street and bring your ram
som. THE AVENGEsR
At the lower left-hand corner. in mi
croscopic characters. was written:
Il love chocolate nougat best.
Norvin laughed as he read this san
culinary epistle, for he had TO admit that
ii had given him slight start. Being
man OF action he walked to the telephone
and called a number which had long
since become familiar.
candy kitchen?
ten pounds Of your best chocolate nougat
to Miss Myra Nell Warren at once. This
Is Blake speaking. Wait! / have enough
on my conscience without adding another
sin. Perhaps you'd better make IL five
pounds now and five pounds a week here
after. Put 1t in your fanciest basket.
with lots of blue ribbon, and label it
Ransom"
after an interminable wait, heard
breathless voice say:
Hello, Norvin. I've been out in the
kitchen making cake, SO / couldn't get
away. It's in the oven now, cooking like
mad
i've just received threatening let
ter" he told her.
who i'm the world could have sent it,"
Evidently some Matchmaking wretch.
1t demands ransom
enough to yield?"
Certainly 1 daren't refuse
He heard her laughing softly "Why
don't you tell the police?"
Indeed, There's an army OF men be-
sieging the place now"
Then you must expect to catch the
writer"
1--WE been trying to for a long time"
I'm sure l don't know what you are
talking about" she said. innocently
Gould l have sent the ransom TO the
wrong address," He pretended to be
seized with doubt. whereupon Myra Nell
exclaimed, quickly:
"Oh, not necessarily" Then. after a
pause, "Norvin, how ., does person get
use a cotton broker. Let him hold
it this evening
I'D love to. but Bernie wouldn't allow
1t. 1t was his ink. you know. and spilled
it all over his desk. Norvin-is 1t really
"It is: the most unhealthy. the most
indigestible-''
you duck: You may hold my CORY
hand for Waltz Blake heard
terrible" Then the wire was dead.
Hello. Hello" he called. What's
wrong, Myra Nell?" He ratified the re-
ceiver violently. and. getting no response.
applied to central. After some moments
he heard her explaining I'm a relieved
tone:
"Oh. such a fright as I had.'
What was It? For heavens
1.-The cake!"
"You frightened me. I thought"
Its four stories high and pasted to-
gether with caramel"
"You should never leave a phone In
that way without
Bernie detests caramel. but I'm ex-
pecting a 'certai- party to call on me
tonight. Norvin. do you think red ink
would hurt a cake?'
"Myra Nell,'' he said. severely, didn't
you wash your hands before mixing that
Dough-
"Of course"
ct have my doubts. Will you really
be at liberty this EVENING""
THAT depends entirely upon you. II L
am, shall exact another ransom-fiow-
ers. perhaps"
"I'll send them. anyhow. Marechal
Niels."
..Oh YOU are a Waltz"
For a second time Miss Warren broke
off. but now Norvin heard her cry out
gladly to some one. He held the re-
ceiver patiently until his arm cramped,
then rang up again.
"Oh. I forgot all about you. Norvin.
dear" she chartered. "Vittoria has just
come, so 1 can't talk to you any more
Won't you run out and meet her?
know she's just dying to She says
she isn't. either! Oh. fiddlesticks! You're
not so busy as all that. Very well, Wen
probably eat the cake ourselves. Good
bye,'
Goodbye. Avenger,' he laughed.
(To be continued tomorrow