Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1916-09-28

a look aroun', an the switch explod
in the big blast is in that shanty jus
up the way. | seen it when / took G
peek in the winder That dago watch
man is sittin' right over it, but I've
got somethin' here that ought to put
him to sleep for a while"
He produced from one of his peck.
cts a heavy blackjack, and this eff
fective method Of disposing of the
quarry guard meeting with Legar's
approval, the two conspirators moved
in the direction of the nearby shanty.
But even at that moment fate or
dained the happening of a certain in
cident which tended to give Legar's
proposed victims, crouching at the
foot of that great wall of granite, a
barely possible chance for their lives.
And in that unexpected incident the
Laughing Mask took the leading part
AS, completely exhausted from his
first burst of speed, he stumbled fall
teringly along the dust-choSing road
toward Wharton's quarry, he had al
most relinquished hope of being in
time to warn the imperiled girl, whose
self-appointed protector he had been.
4
Then Laughing, Mask in his despair
heard the hoarse and repeated cough
ing of an automobile horn as the i'm
patient driver of a car rapidly ap-
preaching from behind signaled for
a clear road. But instead of heed
ing those raucous notes of warning
the Laughing Mask swung about and,
planting himself in the middle of the
highway, resolutely faced the oncom-
ing automobile. With a sudden grind
ing of brakes the surprised and
highly incensed driver of that car
brought it to Earring stop within
a few scant feet of the determined
figure disputing its passage. AS the
man at the steering wheel caught
sight of the yellow mask covering the
face of that figure he quickly fished
under the seat and produced heavy
wrench
"You can't pull this hold-up stuff
on me and get away with it." he
growled angrily.
I'm not holding you up" came the
quick answer, "but I've got to get to
the stone quarry down the road and
get there in hurry. It's matter of
life and death p
II don't fall for that bunk" the
driver retorted sharply; "get there
If you want to, but not in this car"
The Laughing Mask realized every
second was precious and that the
other obstinately believed him a high
way robber.
Perhaps this will help persuade
you to change your mind" he cried |
as he drew a black automatic and
Sprang upon the running board of the |
automobile. Thrusting the muzzle of |
he revolver against the startled man. |
he raped out in tones that precluded !
'urther argument, "Now drive like the
ievil for Wharton's quarry or I'll emp /
y this gun into you"
There was no disputing that insist
,ntly prodding revolver, and the car
shot forward as the overawed driver
ealized the desperate man in the
mask meant business. It would be
'ut matter of. few moments be-
ore that speeding, swaying car COW
red the remaining distance, but even
n that brief lapse of time Jules Legar
night succeed in carrying out his ter
fble plan of revenue, For at that
Instant the SCARED outlaw knocked
harply on the sagging door of the
shanty with his iron hook,
7hile Dutch Frank slipped out of
light behind one side of the roughly
oarded structure. There came the
ound of shuffling feet and then the
Italian pushed open the door and
TODD interrogatively blinking at his
mister caller. /.
I'm on my way back to town."
egar said in a smooth voice, "and
l got switched off the main
bad. 1 thought maybe you could set ,
lie straight"
As the obliging and unsuspecting ,
,reigner advanced few steps be- /
ond the shelter of his doorway In |
rder to point out the proper direc- {
on inch by inch there crept up be- S
Ind him a savage-faced gangster, I
olding poised and ready to strike
urderous-looking blackjack. Sudden 1
that bludgeon descended with ter /
fic Impact on the watchman,s skuII
ending him heavily to the ground, g
here he lay inert and motionless. h
As Dutch Frank stood with cruel r
nile surveying the result of his h
andiwork Legar stepped over the