The Ordway new era., 1915-06-25

"You see. Miss Dodge" began Mary.
Were getting up this movement to
help the Belgians and we have splen-
did backing. Just let me show you
some of the names on our commit
tee."
She handed Elaine q list.
I've Just been sent to see II can
not persuade you to Join the commit
toe and attend meeting at Mrs. Riv-
erton's," she went on.
"Why-er." considered Elaine.
thoughtfully. "er-yes. It must be
all right with such people in it."
Can you go down with me now?"
Just as well as later" agreed
Elaine.
They went out together, and as
they were leaving the house man
who had been lettering outside looked
at Elaine, then fixedly at her compan-
ion.
No sooner had they gone than he
sped of to car waiting around the
corner. In the dark depths was sin
lister figure. the master criminal him
self The watcher had been an en-
issary of the Clutching Hand.
"Chief," he whispered eagerly. "you
know Adventurous Mary? Well, she's
got Elaine Dodge in tow!"
"The deuce!" cried Clutching Hand.
Then We must teach Mary Carson,
or whoever she is working for, les
son. No one shall interfere with our
affairs. Follow them!"
Elaine and Mary had gone down
town, talking animatedly-walking
down the avenue toward Mrs. Riving-
toms apartment.
Meanwhile, Wong Sin, still in his
Chinese costume. was explaining to
another male servant Just what he
wished done, pointing out the dagger
on the wall and placing the bladder
under his Jacket. A box Of opium
was on the table, and he was CIV
ing most explicit directions. 1t was
into such a web that Elaine was be-
ing unwittinly led by Mary.
Entering the hallway Of the apart
| ment, Mary rang the bell.
The servant opened the door and
Elaine and Mary entered. He closed
the door and almost before they knew
| It was gone into the back room.
Elaine gazed about 1t in trepdiation.
But before she could say anything,
Mary, with a great show of surprise,
exclaimed. "Why, must have made
mistake. This isn't Mrs. Riving-
toms apartment. How stupid OF me-"
They looked at each other mo-
| ment. Then each laughed nervously,
as together they started to go out OF
| the door. 1t was locked!
Quickly they ran to another door.
It was locked also.
Just then the Chinaman entered and
stood moment gazing at them. They
turned and Elaine recoiled from him.
Wong bowed.
"Oh, sir" cried Mary, we've made a
mistake. Can't you tell us how to
get out?" .g.#l
mo speke Englis," he said, glid-
ing out again from the room and
closing the door.
Elaine and Mary looked about in
| despair.
What shall we dot" asked Elaine.
Mary said nothing. but with hasty
glance discovered on the wall the
knife which Wong had already told
her about. She took it from its scab-
bard. AS she did SO the Chinaman re-
turned with tray on which were queer
drinks and glasses.
At the sight OF Mary with the knife
he scowled blackly. laid down the
tray. and took a few steps in her d.
rection. She brandished the knife
threateningly; then, as II her nerve
failed her, tainted. letting the knife
fall carefully on the floor SO that 1t
struck on the handle, and not on the
blade
Wong quickly caught her as she
tainted and carrying her out of the
room, banged shut the door. Elaine
followed in a moment, loyalty to pro-
tect her supposed friend, but found
that the door had a snap lock on the
other side.
She looked about wildly, and in a
moment Wong reappeared. AS he ad-
vanced slowly and insinuatingly. she
drew back, pleading. But her words
fell on seemingly deaf ears.
She had picked up the knife which
Mary had dropped, and when at last
Wong maneuvered to get her cornered
and was about to seize her, she nerved
herself up and stabbed at him reso-
lutely.
Wong staggered back-and fell.
As he did SO, he pressed the
bladder which he had already placed
under his coat A dark red fluid.
like blood, oozed out all over him and
ran in a pool on the floor. rr
Elaine, too horror-stricken at what
had happened even to scream, dropped
the knife and bent over him. He did
not move. She rose quickly and ran
through the now open door. AS she
did SO, Wong seemed suddenly to come
to life. He raised himself and looked
after her, then with a subtle smile
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