Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1915-10-09

I later.
1t was a delightful ride, not toe
warm, but sunny. Without realizing
1t, we found ourselves on the road
that led past Del Mars.
As we approached, | saw that there
was a 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 a peculiar aversion to
the man.
AS we passed the driver. apparently
not seeing US, stepped out and. before
We could turn out, we had knocked
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!" shouted at the top OF my
voice.
The valet came to the door.
Hearing me, the valet ran out down
the walk. IAN right" he cried, I'll
De tnere In q minute"
With his help ] picked up the taxi
cab chauffeur and we carried him into
the house.
Del Mar was talking with a person
who looked like a 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-
tanned that, as we finally entered, the
widow had only time to drop her veil
and conceal her identity as the rene
gade Smith. Del Mar still held the
plan In his hand.
The valet and | entered with Elaine
and we placed the chauffeur on a
couch near Del Mars desk. / remem-
Der that there was this strange wom-
an all in black, heavily yelled. in the
room at the time.
Il think w ought to telephone for a
DOCTOR" said Elaine, placing her hand
bag IN the desk and excitedly telling
Del Mar how we had accidentally,
huocheu the mdn uOWu.
Call UP my doctor, Henry" said
Del Mar, hastily thrusting the plan,
into a book lying on the desk.
We gathered about the man, trying
to revive him. Il
Have you q little stimulant" III
asked, turning from him.
Del Mar moved toward q cellarette
built into the wall. We were all watch
ing him, our backs to the chauffeur,
when suddenly he must have regained
consciousness very much. Like a fash
his hand shot out. He seized the plan
from between the leaves Of the book.
He had not time to get away with 1t
himself. Perhaps he might be searched.
He opened Elaine's bag and thrust 1t
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 you-ever so much" she
murmured. "Of course 1t wasn't our
fault, but l feel sorry for the poor fell
low. Tell the doctor to send me the
She and Del Mar shook hands. /
thought he held her hand perhaps a
little longer and a little tighter than
usual. At any rate Elaine seemed to
think 30.
why, what q curious ring, Mr.. Del
Mar" she said, finally releasing her
hand from his grasp.
Then she looked quickly at the wom-
an, half joking, as II the ring had
something to do with the strange
She looked back at the ring.
Del Mar smiled, shook his head and
aughed easily.
Then Elaine picked up her bag and
We went out. A moment later we had
back into the car and were of
again.
'
Having left us at the door, Del Mar
back to the library. He went {
to the desk and picked up I
he book, eager now to make sure OF
he safety Of his plan.
1t was gone! I
Did you, Smith" he began has :
lily, then checked himself, knowing {
hat the clerk had not taken the
,lan. i
Del Mar walked over to tho couch {
nd stood a moment looking at the l
hauffeur. 81 wonder who he is" he
aid to himself. II don't recall ever 6
eeing him at the station or in the
illage."
He leaned closer. "The deuce!" he .
reclaimed, that's a fake beard the c
elbow has on" 1
Del Mar made q lunge for It. As
Q did so the chauffeur leaped to his a
eet. Hands up!" he shouted. n
And the first man that moves is a t
cad one!" d
Before the secret agent knew It
9th he and Smith we're covered. The c
hauffeur took a step toward Smith Il
nd unceremoniously jerked off the b
idow's weeds. as well as the wig.
At that very moment one of Del v
lars men came up to the secret pan d