The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-30


In good time. But, come-follow me-
Somehow or other, Myra experienced
an almost childish trustfulness In this
broac-shouidered. assured stranger-for
she. had hardly EXCHANGED score OF
words with him since their first odd
Introduction. She went down the steep
steps. ss he indicated the path before
them.
There. do you see the altar" cried
Alden. You knelt before that. and
with me to study the fabric, and take
a photograph OF the handwriting. II Ii
tell tale clue which may some day
tell more than Its writer ever expected"
Myra was transfixed with a growing
horror; as she gazed about the black
And then what did I do?"
Payson Alden did not answer. He
quietly raised the dagger from the floor
where II had fallen. swayed back and
toned as though to plunge II into his
own breast, Stimulating Myra's ges-
lures of the night before.
With a scream, she 'spraing toward
him and caught his arm.
There, you're Initiating what did,"
and he chuckled grimly. Now. little
again, and see that you never come
t a1s nS ssse r HGS y %S:t ass way . .%
walking runs In your family. and we
mustn't let this thing happen again" !!
The girl was silent as she obeyed his
instructions. given In that smooth tone
OF professional command which becomes
second nature to the practicing ply
stefan.
Arthur varney had compelled her in
terest by his intense personality In an
this mild-mannered but direct man OF
mystery. II seemed as though che had
been used To his advice and directions
for centuries. She flushed at the
curious realization of Il.
You must leave this house before you
succumb 10 the fate which overlook
your two sistersl" were the next STRAIT
ling words. as she reached the free air
of the library once more.
DO you mean to ssy--that-my-sis-
rs-killed-themselves? And
that way?" she cried, as the color left
her cheeks.
''yes. Many people know It. But your
mother was wise TO keep you ignorant
of the fact until now. II IL time to
know the truth. Miss Maynard. for you
Myra stood facing him. her face drawn
In anguish at this uneKpected knowl-
edge of the tragedy which had sur
rounded her In the home Of her girl
hood She felt .,d hundred co., Son''iGs, n.s
natural one. She turned and ran pre-
cipitously toward the telephone on the
What are you going to do7" cried
the doctor.
''Tm going to telephone the police. We
must learn who was responsible
He caught the instrument and forced
the receiver down on the hook. cutting
THE police are the last ones In the
world to intrust with such secret.
They would bungle II hopelessiy. ard
perhaps pave the way for another sue
MURDER" and Myra whispered the
dread syllables.
Yes. foul murder OF the most villain
Gus plotting. Murder unseen. unheard
. How have you learned all this"
Myra demanded You never met my
mother or myself until two mornings
ago. Yet you seem 10 understand more
about our family than either Of ".
Alden shook his head quietly. as he
drew away from the telephone instru-
ment.
way In which one ship az sea. or some
amateur on shore, with wireless m
strument. picks up fragments OF mes-
sages passing through the ether be-
he neither knows nor sees?" The girl
nodded, well. Miss Maynard. that
may give you an idea OF little bit OF
what I have done. There have been
hundred and one Indications, to my
Investigations. Of this crime. have
studied you and the case much longer
than you realize. And that is why l
have come into your .ife-to help YOU"
She looked into his eyes with that
glorious trust which had thrilled him
before.
-"I believe you. DIR. Alden she an
swered. simply. And I know you can
-
solve I've the he problem; as,I spsT tn on,v
With your fighting help. We must work
nerve to risk your fortune. your sanity.
and even your life IN the pursuit.
feel that we can catch the murderer,
She caught his hand, and all the de-
termination of her budding womlnhood,
all the bravery and Are OF youth. were
in that clasp.
81 vow that I will sacrifice anything.
everything, to learn The secret and bring
the criminal to justice" she cried.
BE sure that you dare to " he eau
toned. ut Is more serious than you
know. more horrible AMI more power:
l am only on the verge of deeper
knowledge OF II. 7 have given up my
career for this work. 10, 0e n psychic
detective, for the betterment OF my fell
white Magic, in overpowering the Black
Sorcery of this unseen criminal!'
As he spoke, Mrs. Maynard had en-
"why, Myra." she expostulated.
What are you talking about?" She
felt a vague mistrust of the physician,
despite the gratitude for his rescue OF
Myra. The girl began to explain, and
her mother became indignant.
Occult! Occult! Psychic! Magic"
The words became almost a wall. as
she nervously wrpng her hands, II
heard those words for years until
they ruined my whole life. Myra. you
must not talk about such things. We
must leave this accursed house at
once and never return"
Alden had barely heard her. He was
enRrossed In his own campaigning:
but suddenly his plan had changed. He
turned upon her quickly.
mo, Mrs, MAYNARD. YOU must not
leave. At first I thought II wise, but
now / realize that this house. reeking
as 1t does of the magnetism OF this
unknown power. Is an absolute re-
ceiving station OF the forces which
we must fight. We must trap them
by tapping their wires. and by using
their own weapons against them"
Rubbish stormed Mrs. MAYNARD,
as she left the room, but Myra did not
echo the thought.