The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-12-18

the way in which they were inter-
preted.
Braine heard of the failure. The
Black Hundred was finding its stock
far below par value. Four valuable
men locked up in the Tombs await
ing trial, to say nothing of the seven
gunner gathered in at the old ware
house. Braine began to suspect that
his failures were less due to chance
than to calculation, that at last he
had encountered a mind which anti
cipated his every move. He would
have recognized this fact earlier had
1t not been that revenge had temporar-
lily blinded him. The spirit of revenge
ever makes for mental clarity.
There was meeting that night Of
the Black Hundred. Four men were
told off, and they drew their chairs up
to Vroon's table for instructions.
Braine sat at Vroon's elbow. These
four men composed the most danger
Gus quartet in New York city. They
were as daring as they were desper-
ate. They were the men who held up
bank messengers and got away with
/ thousands. They had learned to swoop
down upon their victims as the hawk
swoops down upon the heron. The
newspapers referred to them as the
auto bandits" and the men took a
deal of pride In the furore they had
created
Vroon went over the Hargreave
case infinitely; he left no detail I'M
explained. Rluntly and frankly. the
daughter OF Stanley Hargreave must
be caught and turned over to the care.
of the Black Hundred 1t must be
quick action Four valuable members
were in the Tombs. They might or
might not weaken under pressure. For
the first time in its American career
the organization stood facing actual
peril and its one possible chance of
salvation lay in the fact that no ones
face was known to his neighbor He,
Vroon, and the boss alone knew who
and what each man was. But the
plans, the ramifcations Of the organ
ization might become public property;
and that would mean an end TO an
exceedingly profitable business.
The daughter of Hargreave rode
horseback early every morning. She
sought the country road. She was in
variaby attended by the riding mas
ter of a school near by,
You four will make your own
plans"
IF she should be injured?'
Avoid it II possible
I'VE have a free hand?"
Absolutely"
I'VE risk a bad fall from her horse
il it's a spirited one
pretend a breakdown in the road"
interpolated Braine. AS they ap-
approach, draw and order them to dis
mount. That method will prevent any
accident
Wen plan it somehow. 1t looks
easy."
Nothing 10 easy where that girl
Is concerned A thousand eyes seem
to be watching her slightest move"
We shan't leave anything to
chance. How many days win you
give us?''
Seven. A failure, mind you. will
prove unhealthy to all concerned"
with a menaes which made the four
stir RneRslly.
The telephone rang. Braine reached
for the receiver
"A man just entered the HargTeave
house at the rear Come at once"
was the message.
rs your car outside?" Braine' asked.
We are never without It,"
Then let us be off. No one will
stop us for speeding on side street.
Fourteen minutes by the clock
brought the car to stand at the curb
few houses, below the Hargreave
home The men got out The watch
er ran up.
He is still inside" he whispered
Good Spread out. II anyone
leaves that house. catch him. II he
runs. too fast. shoot. We can beat
the police
The man obeyed, and the watcher
ran back to his post. He was des-
perately hoping the affair would ter
inmate tonight He was growing
weary of this eternal vigilance. and 1t
was only his fear of the man known
as the boss that kept him at his post.
He wanted a night to- earouse in. to
be with the boys.
The man for whom they were lying
in wait was seen presently to. creep
cautiously round the side of the house.
He Rugged corner and paused They
could see the dim outline OF his body.
The light in the street back of the
grounds almost made silhouette OF
him. BY and by. as If assured that
the coast was clear, he stole down to
the street.
Halt"
Instantly the prowler took to his
heels. Two shots rang out. The man
was seen to stop, stagger, and then go
on desperately,
"Ue's hitlF