The San Francisco call., 1913-10-02
CHAPTER XVIII
The Eoase1ee~ n~a<h

There was absolute silence in the
library after the turning of the
! switch that brought the pail OF dark
ness. Long seconds passed, then a
little notes.-the knob of the passage
door turning. AS the door swung
open- there came gasping breath
from Mary. for she saw framed in
| the faint light that came from the
single burner in the corridor the
slender form of her husband, Dick
| Glider In the next instant he had
stepped within the room and pulled
to the door behind him. And In that
same instant Chicago Red had
pouneed on his victim, the huge hand
clapped tight over the young mans
mouth. Even as his powerful arm
held the newcomer in an inescapable
embrace, there came a sound of scuf-
fling feet and that was ALL Finally
the big mans voice came triumph
antly.
I've got him.
ITS Dicki" The cry came as wall
of despair from the girl.
At the same moment, Carson flashed
his torch. and the light fell swiftly
on young Glider, bowed to kneeling
posture before the couch. half throt-
tied by the strength of Chi
cago Red. Close beside him,
Mary looked down in wordless
despair over this final disaster
of the night. There was silence
among the men, all of whom save the
captor himself were gathered near
the fireplace.
Carson retired a step farther before
he spoke his command so that, though
The held the torch still, he. like the
others, was in shadow. Only Mary
was revealed clearly as she bent in
alarm toward the man she had mar
ried. 1t was borne in on the forger's
consciousness that the face of the
woman leaning over the intruder was
stronger to hold the prisoner and to
prevent any outcry than the might of
Chicago Red himself. and SO he gave
the order.
Get away, Red"
The fellow let go his grip obedi-
emily. enough. though with a trifie of
regret, since he gloried in his phys
ica1 prowess.
Thus freed OF that strangling en-
brace. Dick stumbled blindly to his
feet. Then, mechanically, his hand
went to the lamp on the table back
of the couch. In the same moment
Carson snapped his torch to darkness.
When, after little futile searching,
Dick finally found the catch, and the
mellow streamed forth, be uttered an
ejaculation of stark amazement, for
his gaze was riveted on the face OF
the woman he loved.
Good Godf' 1t was cry Of tor
ture wrung from his soul of souls.
Mary swayed' toward him a little.
palpitant With fear-fear for herself,
for all Of them. most Of all for him.
Hush. hushi" she painted warning
ly.. "Oh, Dick. you don't understand"
Dicks hand was at his throat. 1t
was not easy for him to speak yet.
He had suffered severely in the pro-
cess OF being throttled, and, too, he
was In the clutch of frightful emo
ton To find her, his wife, in this
place, in such company-her, the
woman whom he loved. whom, In
spite of everything. he had honored.
the woman to whom he had given his
name, Mary herei And thusl
II understand this he said brok-
emily at last. Whether you ever did 1t
before or not. this time you have
broken the law" A sudden fnspira-
tion on his own behalf came to him.
For his loves sake he must seize on
this opportunity given of fate to him
for mastery. He went on with a new
vehemence OF boldness that became
him well.
You're in my hands now. So are
these men as we'll Unless you do as
I say. Mary, Ill jail every one of
them"
Marys usual quicknesS was not
lacking even now. in this period of
extremity Her retort was given
without a particle OF hesitation.
You can't" she objected with con-
viction. I'm the only one you've
SEEN"
That's soon remedied." Dick de-
clared He turned toward the hall
door as IL with the intention OF light
ing the chandelier.
Continued Tomorrow