The Springdale news., 1915-04-30

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 a list.
 I've just been sent to see If can not persuade you to join the commit tee 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.
 Gan 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. fxedly at her compan- ion.
 No sooner had they gone than he sped off to car waiting around the corner In the dark depths was a sin ister figure, the master criminal him self. The watcher had been an em- issary of the Clutching Hand.
 "Chief" he whispered eagerly, you know Adventurous Mary? Well, shes got Elaine Dodge in tow"
 The deucet" cried C1utching Hand. Then We must teach Mary Carson or whoever she is working for les son. No enc shall interfere with our affairs. Follow themt9
 
 Elaine and Mary had gone down town. talking animatedly-Walking down the avenue toward Mrs. RiYing- tons apartment.
 Meanwhile, Wong Sin, still in his Chinese costume, was explaining te another male servant just what he wished done. pointing out the dagger on the wall and placing the bladder under his jacket. \ box of opium was CT the table, and he was giy. ing most explicit directions. It was into such web that Elaine vas be ing uawittinly led by Mary.
 Entering the hallway of the apart ment. Mary rang the bell.
 The servant opened the door and Elaine and Mary entered Re closed the door and almost before they knew 1t was gone into the back room.
 Elaine gazed about il in trepaiation. But before she could say anything Mary. with a great show of surprise, I hoy q 1 q mistake This isn't Mrs Riying tons afartment Hew=stupil of me
 They looked at each other a mo- ment. Then each laughed neryously, as together they started to go out of the door. It was locked
 Quickly they ran to another door. l. vas locked also
 Just then the Chinaman entered and stood q 4oment gazing at them. They turned sHd Elaine reeofled from him. Wong bowed
 oh sir, cried Mary we've made q mistake. Cant you tell us how to get out"
 No spoke Englis," he said. gid ing out again from the room and closing the door
 Elaine and Mary looked about ia despair.
 What shall We do2s asked Elaine
 Mary said nothing, but with hasty glance discovered on the wall the knife which Wong had already told her about She took 1t from it's scab- bard. As she did so the Chinaman re turned with a 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 al. rection She brandished the knife threateningly; then, as if her nerve failed her, tainted, letting the knife fall carefully on the floor so that it struck on the handle, and not on the blade
 Wong quickly caught her as she fainted 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 snap lock on the other side
 She looked about wildly, and in a moment Wong reappeared As he ad. yanced 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 earnered and was about to seize her, she newed herself up and stabbed at him reso- lutely
 Wong staggered baek-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 pool or the floor
 Elaine, too horror stricken at what had happened even to scream, dropped