Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-26
Seuen Keys to Baldpate
BY EARL DERR BIcoERs
Copyright by sobbs- Merrill Coz

waltzed grotesquely about in the
falling snow. Then the mayors feet
slid from under him on the treach-
erous white carpet, and the two went
down together. As Mr.. Magee swoop-
ed down upon them he saw the hand
of the stranger find the mayors
pocket, and draw from 1t the pack
age that had been placed there in
the Office a few moments before.
Unfortunately for the demands of
the drama in which he had become
involved, Mr.. Magee had never been
an athlete at the university But he
was a young man of average strength
and agility, and he had the advan-
tage of landing most unexpectedly
on his antagonist, Before that gem
tleman realized what had happened
Magee had wrenchee the package
from his hand, thrown him back on
the PROSTATE form of the highest
steps. Quietly the stranger regained
his feet and started in pursuit, but
he arrived at the great front door
of Baldpate Inn just in time to hear
the lock click inside.
Safe for the moment behind q
locked door, Mr. Magee paused to
get his breath. The glory of battle
filled his soul. 1t was not until long
afterward that he realized the battle
had been u mere scufiie in the dark.
He felt his cheeks burn with excite
ment like a sweet girl graduate's--
tho cheeks of q man who had al
ways prided himself he was the I'M
moved cynic in any situation.
With no thought for Mr.. Bland,
bound in his uneasy chair Mr.. Ma
gee hurried up the broad staircase
of Baldpate, Now came the most
gorgeous scene of all. a fair-haired
lady; a knight she had sent forth to
battle; the knight returned. You
asked me to bring YOU this, my
lady" Business of surprise and joy
on the iady's part-business also. per-
haps, of alteration for the knight.
At the right of the stairs lay sew
enteen and the lady, at the left a
supposedly uninhabited land. AS Mr.,
Magee reached the second floor blithe-
ly picturing the scene in which he
was to play so satisfactory a part
he paused. FOR halfway down the
corridor to the left an open door
threw o faint light into the hall, and
in that light stood a woman he had
never seen before. In this order came
Mr.. Magee's impressions OF her, fur
coated, tall, dark, handsome, with
the naughty manner of one engaging
a chauffeur.
81 beg your pardon" she said, "hut
are you by any chance Mr.. Magee?"
The knight leaned weakly against
the wall and tried to think.
IL am" lie managed to say.
I'm so glad I've found you" replied
the girl. 1t seemed to the dazed Magee
that her dark eyes were not overly
happy. II cannot ask you In, Tin
afraid. / do not know the custom
on such an occasion--does anybody
am alone with my maid. Hal Bent
ley, when wrote to him for key to
this place, told me of your being here
! and said that / was TO put myself
under your protection"
Mr.. Magee arranged q bow, most
of which was lost In the dark.
Delighted, I'm sure" he mur1nured
II shall try not TO impose on you,
she went on. 1.-THE whole affair Is sc
unusual as to be almost absurd. But
Mr.. Bentley said that you were--ver5
kind. He said | might trust you.
am In great trouble. I have come
here to get sonething-and haven't
the least idea how to proceed. / came
because ! must have it-~so much de-
ponds on it,"
Prophetically Nj. Magee clutched ir
his pocket the package Tor which he
had done battle.
II may be too late" The girls eyer
grew vide. THAT would be terribly