Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-01


mountain springs.
As she did so, floating over the peace.
full woodland air came the faint strains
of the huntsman's horn. far, far off
She looked about straining her eyes and
ears to catch the direction OF sound.
Just then her horse caught the winding
OF the horn. His ears went erect and
without waiting he instantly galloped
off, leaving her. Elaine called and ran
after him. but It was too late She
stopped and looked dejectedly as he
disappeared. Then she made her way
up the side OF the ravine. slowly.
/ On she climbed. until. to her surprise,
she came TO the ruins of an old hotel. She
remembered, as a child when It had
been famous as a health resort. but Il
was all changed nova wreck She
looked at II a moment, then, as she
had nothing better to do. approached It.
She advanced toward a window OF the
/ dining room and looked In.
! Del Mar waited only until the last
straggler had passed. Then he dashed off
as fast as his horse would carry him
straight toward the deserted hotel which
served him as headquarters for the
supplies he was accommodating. AS he rode
up. one OF his sentries appeared, as II
from nowhere. and. seeing who It was
saluted.
Here. take care Of this horse" ordered
Del Mar, dismountins and turning the
animal over to tho man, who led him to
the rear of the building, as Del Mar
entered the front door. after giving a
secret signal.
There were his men In goggles and
masks at the work. which his knock had
interrupted.
olive me q mask before / enter the
ROOM" he ordered Of the man who had
answered his signal
The man handed the mask and goggles
to him. as we'll as a coat. which he put
ON quickly. Then he entered the room
and looked at the rapid progress Of the
work.
Where's the prisoner" asked Del Maj
a moment later. satisfied at the progress
of his men.
I'm the attic room" one of his lieu.
tenants indicated.
I'd like to take a look at him." added
Del Mar just about TO turn and leav,
the room.
As no did 30. he happened to glance a
one Of the windows. There. peerins
through the broken shutters. was a fac,
IA girls faee-Eiainel
Just what I wanted guarded against.
he cried ansrily, pointing at the window
''Now-get hertz
The men had sprung up at his alarm
They could all see her and with one &C
cord dashed for the door. Elaine spranl
back and they ran as they saw that sh,
was warned. In genuine fear she 20,
ran from the window. But 1t was to,
late.
For Just then the sentry who haC
taken Del Mars horss came from be
hind the building. cutting off her re
treat. He seized her just as the othe
men ran out. Elaine stared. She coull
make nothing Of them. Even Del Mar
In his goggles and breathing mask, wa
unreeognizable. t
Take her inside" he ordered, disguis
ing his voice. Then to the sentry n
added. Get on guard again and DON
let anyone through"
Elaine was hustled into the big de
serted hallway OF the hoNl. Just as IN
tramp had been.
You may go back 70 wo~k' Del Ma
signed 70 the other men. who went OF
/. leaving one short but athletic lookin
fellow with Del Mar and Elaine.
Lock her up. Shorty" ordered Del Ma
and bring the other prisoner 70 m
down here"
o None too gently the man forced Eiain
\ upstairs ahead Of him.
; In the attic, the tramp. pacing up an
down. heard footsteps approach on IN
stairs and enter the next room.
4 Quickly he ran to the doorway an
; peered through the keyhole. There h
4 could see Elaine and the small man en-
. ter. He locked the door to the hail. the
= quickly took . step toward the doc
into the trAnD's ro0A