Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1916-06-01
and the taxi and be ready"

darkened passageway and up flight
of wooden stairs leading to the fiooI
above.
Bent over table beside the barred
window he saw girl, girl still IN
her teens, a girl with a look OF In
alienable innocence still in her mourn
full eyes. And Legar, as he crossed
to the table, saw that she was good
to gaze upon. Yet at the sight of him
she shrank back, letting the locket
which she had just tied about her
neck fall from her trembling fingers.
Don't cover that way!" command
ed Legar. Il haven't come to beat
you. guess the Owl gave you enough
of that"
Then why are you here?" the ques-
tioning eyes seemed to ask him.
I've come to tell you think you've
had about enough of this sort of thing.
It's going to be stopped, and you're
going to see the world"
You're going to set me free?"
gasped the incredulous girl.
Free as a Bird" announced the
| ironic Legar And with as fine feath-
ers as any bird that ever flew!"
I'm to be free?" she repeated, still
dazed.
Sure! So get your things together,
and do it quick. There's taxi wait
ing downstairs. That taxi will carry
you straight to my friend Casavanti.
Casavanti is always kind to women,
amazingly kind"
He stood, ferret-eyed and impressive,
watching the girl as she feverishly
gathered together her meager belong
ings. He hurried her out of the room,
then along the passage and down the
narrow stairway and out to the street
where the taxi waited.
There McTigue sat ready for her.
That worthy remained silent, how
ever, as sob or two shook the girls
body and light of exultation shone
from her timorous eyes. She too re-
NAMED silent as they threaded their
way through the darkened streets and
drew up before a brown-stone house.
Up to the door Of this house McTigue
led the still wondering young woman.
There his finger played graphically on
the electric push bell, sounding Casa
vantfs pass signal, and moment
later the door mysteriously opened and
the girl found herself alone. Even
before the door could close behind her
silent-running limousine swung up
to the curb and hurrying figure
on &c nj Oh Dttf
before that figure could mount the
steps and reach the house entrance
the heavy door had swung shut again.
And the wide-eyed girl, following
footman In service uniform, mounted
the stairs to Casavanti's private
room.
Casavanti, as he looked up and saw
her, let the cigarette fall from his thin.
Tipped mouth.
"The Doc was dead right" he said |
under his breath. "She's a flower, all
right"
Then, still watching the girl, he
said aloud: Are you afraid of me?"
mo-" was her answer.
Then come here" he commanded. |
But she still stood gazing wonder
ingly about the room. A suspicion |
that all was not as It should be had /
crept over her.
why was I sent here" she de.
as Casavanti, white faced,
stepped closer to her.
For this" he replied, as with a
sudden movement his arms went out
and encompassed her shrinking body.
She fought and struggled in that con.
Eliminating embrace, but her strength
was not equal to her captor's. Casa.
vanti, bending her body close to his,
cupped his impassioned lips over her
parted lips. 1t was several seconds be-
tore he lifted his head.
Before he did so, however, the closet
ioor on his right opened and figure
stepped noiselessly out into the room.
t was the figure of man who wore
/ laughing mask.
Zone word, you hound, and it's your
asst" said the quiet-toned voice be-
lind the mask. But the revolver re-
NAMED pointing at Casavanti's head
Is the stranger took the girls hand
nd backed slowly towards the hall
loor. He CROPPED for the door handle,
eveled his weapon and still watched
,asavanti. But the door, he discov-
red, was locked Perplexed, for one
hort second he turned and looked for
he key. But in that instant the tense
mbed Casavanti, beholding the re-
Oliver barrel waver from its target,
aw his chance and leaped for his
nemy.
The force of that impact sent the
Mysterious intruder staggering against
le wall and the revolver itself clat-
sring across the floor. The girl
in terror as the two con-
ending figures fought and writhed
bout the room. Hurrying steps and
oices were already sounding from
inside the locked door, and Casa
anti, knowing the slimness of his
lances, was battling like wildcat.
ut the man In the mask, with an
Id and quite unexpected movement