The Washington times., 1914-07-19
MYSTERY1t azes &zeSzR sRz42

there in the hall this minute. know; it is all for my
sake. But it bothers me-"
Jones was indeed in the hail. and when he scnsed the
petuance in her voice. his shoulders sank despondeny
and'he sighed deeply if silently
At quarter to s, Florence, being alone for min
ute fire veil and stuffed it down the register.
Cones" she called, excitedly, II smell something
burning"
Jones dashed into the room, shifted and dashed out
again, healing for the cellar door, His first thought
naturally that the devils incarnate had set fire
the house. When he returned, having, of course dis
covered fire, he found Florence gone. He rushed
into the hall Her hat missing He made for the
hall door with speed which seemed incredible the
bewildered Susans Out into the street. up and
down which he looked. Far away he discovered
dwindling taxcab. The child gone.
In the house, Susan answering the telephone
talking incoherently.
Who is it," Jones whispered his lips white and dry.
"The princess-' began Susan.
He took the receiver from her roughly
"iIelo! Who is it,"
"1his is Olgo Perigof. Is Florence there"
"No madam. She has just stepped out for mo-
ment Shall tell her to call you when she returns?"
YES please want her and Susan and Mr.. Norton
to come to tea tomorrow. Good-by."
Jones hung up the receiver, sank into chair near
by, and buried his face in his hands.
"What is it," cried Susan, terrified by the haggard
ness of his face.
ashes gone. My God, those wretches have got her.
They've got her."
Florence whrled away at top speed. Her
father She actually the way to her father,
whom she had always loved in Dreams yet seen
Number 7s Grove street not an attractive place.
but when she arrived she highly keyed take
note of It's sorddness She rather out of breath
when she reached the door of the third fiat She knocked
tirnidy. The door was instantly opened by who
black mask Shs would have turned then ard there
and flown, but for the swift picture she had of we'll
dressed man at table He lay with his head upon his
arms.
"Father!" she whispered.
The man raised his careworn face so very well done
that only the closest scrutiny would have betrayed the
paste of the theater. He and staggered toward
her with outstretched arms. But the moment they
closed her. Florence experienced peculiar shiver
"My child" murnured the broken man. "They
caught me when I was about to come to you. I have
given up the fight" A sob choked him.
What was it? wondered the child her heart burn
ing with the misery of the thought that she sad
instead of glad Over his shoulder she sent glance
about the room There was sofa table, chairs,
and an enormous clock, the face of which dented
and the hands hopelcssly tangled. Why, at such a
moment she should note such details disturbed her.
Then she CHANGED to look into the cracked mirror. In
she saw several faces all masked These men were
peerng at her through the haclosed door behind her.
"You must return home and bring the money
went on the wretch who dared to perpetrate sch mock
ery at is all that stands between an! DEATH"
Then she knew! The nsistent daily warnings came
home her. She understood She h:d deliberately
walked into the spiders net But instead Of terror
extraordinary calm fell upon her.
every well, father. will go and get it." Gently
she released herself from those horrible
.NWait ny child, till sec if they will let you 60.
They may wish to hold you as hostage"
When he was gone she tried the doors. They wers
locked Then she crossed the window and looked
out leap from there would kill her. She turned her
gaze toward the lamp, wondering.
The false father returned, dejectedy.
at is as / said. They insist upon sending some one
Write down these directions give to you. l very
weak"
"Write down tEe directions yourself. father; you
know them better than l." Since she escape she
determined to keep up the tragic farce no longer
81 am not your father"
$50 see" she replied still with the amazing calm.
Braine ir the other room, shook his head savagely.
Father and daughter; the steel in the nerves.
Could they bend her? Would they have break her?
He did not wish to njure her bodily, but million was
always Il million, and there revenge, which was
worth to him than the money itself He listened,
motioning to the others to be silent.
"Write the directions" commanded the scoundrel.
who discarded the broken style.
Il know Of no hidden money"
Then your father dies this night" Grange put
whistle to his lips. "Sign write!"
II refuse"
"Once The moment blow this whistle the
in the other will understand that your father
is to die Be wise. Money ncthing life is everything"
81 reft,se!" Even she had known this vile creature
to be an impostor she knew that he led that her
father still free.
GRANGE blew the whistle Instantly the room became