The Monticellonian., 1915-11-11

As We approached. I saw that there was taxicab standing in front of the gate. The hood was lifted and the driver was apparently tinkering with his engine
 Lets not stop. said Elaine. who had by this time peculiar aversion to the man.
 As We passed the driver, apparently not seeing Us. stepped out and. before him down. We stopped and ran back.
 There he lay on the road, seemingly unconscious. We lifted him up and looked toward Del Mars house
 Help" l shouted at the top of my voice
 The valet came to the door.
 Hearing me. the valet ran out down the walk. All right" he cried, I'll be there in a minute"
 With his help l picked up the taxi cab chauffeur and We carried him into the house.
 Del Mar was talking with a person who looked like widow. when they heard our approach up the walk carry ing the injured man.
 So engrossed had they been in dis corning what the stolen document con tained that. as We finally entered, the widow had only time 10 drop her veil and conceal her identity as the rene gade Smith. Del Mar still held the plan in his hand. I and We placed the chauffeur on couch near Del Mars desk. l remem- Der that there was this strange wom- an all in black. heavily yelled, in the room at the time.
 T think We ought to telephone for doctor" said Elaine, placing her hand bag on the desk and excitedly telling Del Mar how we had accidentally knocked the man down.
 Call up my doctor. Henry" said Del Mar. hastily thrusting the plan into book lying on the desk.
 We gathered about the man. trying to revive him.
 Have you a little stimulant?' I asked. turning from him.
 Del Mar moved toward cellarette built into the wall. We were all watch 1 ing him. our backs to the chauffeur. when suddenly he must have regained 1 consciousness very much. Like a fash his hand shot out. He seized the plan l from between the leaves of the book. He had not time to get away with it l himself. Perhaps he might be searched. He opened Elaine's bag and thrust it l in
 The valet by this time had finished telephoning and spoke to Del Mar.
 The doctor will be here shortly, Miss Dodge" said Del Mar You need not wait. if you don't care to. I'll take care of him"
 .Oh. thank yeu-eyer so much. she murmured. "Of course it wasn't our fault. but I feel sorry for the poor fel. low. Tell the doctor to send me the bill"
 She and Del Mar shook hands. thought he held her hand perhaps little longer and a little tighter than usual At any rate Elaine seemed to think SO
 Why. what a curious ring, MT. Del Mar" she said, finally releasing her hand from his grasp.
 Then she locked quickly at the wom- an, half joking, as if the ring had something to do with the strange woman She looked back at the ring Del Mar smiled. shook his head and laughed easily.
 Then Elaine picked up her bag and we went out A moment later We had climbed back into the car and were off again.
 
 Having left us at the door, Del Mar hurried back to the library. He went straight to the desk and picked up the book, eager now to make sure Of the sefety of his plan.
 It was gone,
 Did you, smith" he began has tily. then checked himself, knowing that the clerk had not taken the plan.
 Del Mar walked over to the couch and stood a moment looking at the IA4d NOAAdtA NHO llt l5f A4I said to himself T don't recall ever seeing him at the station or in the village"
 He leaned closer. The deuce," he exclaimed. that's fake beard the fellow has on"
 Del Mar made a lunge for it. As he did so the chauffeur leaped to his feet Hands upi" he shouted And the first man that moves is a dead one,"
 Before the secret agent knew 1t both he and Smith were covered. The chauffeur took a step toward Smith and uncere9oniousiy jerked off the widows weeds. as well as the wig
 At that very moment one of Del Mars men came up to the secret pan | el that opened from the underground passageway into the library He was about to open it when he heard a sound on the other side that startled him. He listened a moment then slid it just short distance and looked in.
 There he saw chauffeur holding | up Del Mar and Smith. Having pulled 1 the disguise from Smith, he went next around Del Mar and tok his gun from his pocket, then passed his hands over the folds of Smiths dress, but found no weapon. He stepped back away from them.
 At that point the man quietly slid the panel all the way open and silent ly stepped into the room. behind the chauffeur Cautiously he began sneak ing up on him.