East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-04

CoA4o " hpLsAr VIC NdA AAe@eAR a So
away there. The others ought 10 be
here in a few minutes Stanley and
Clayton and the girl. It's one min
ute Of g."
He strobe 10 the window and. con-
cealing himself behind the almy cur
tains, looked down into the street
below. Vanya joined him at his post
Of vantage.
There's car turning in at the
curb" she said, presently Per
haps---"
She broke of with a gasp Of genuine
amazement. Even the iron-nerved
super-criminal at her side could not
repress a violent start Of surprise.
Both Of them stared in dumb incredu-
lity down into the street. The motor
car to which Vanya had called her
companions attention had drawn up
at the curve. It's smartly liveried and
goggled chauffeur had jumped down
and opened one Of the tonneau doors.
Out stepped-Pierre La Rue,
Or at least out stepped q man who
at that distance was the living image
Of Pierre La Rue. The crisp black
beard, the tumbled hair under the
unconventional hat-the pose Of the
head, the general outlines Of the face
all were Pierre La Rue, TO the life.
'Tt's-it's-oh, who is 2" whispered
Vanya, in awe, as she looked up won
deringiy at La Rue himself.
But Pierre, after that first brief
start Of surprise, was himself again,
and he had already formed his own
idea Of the situation. But his face
was livid with fury and the Crimson
Stain fiared hotly in his eyes
= I =
Its that meddling idiot, Harold
Stanley" he told Vanya, ''and he Is
coming UP here. Don't you see
what's happened? He suspects you,
Just as l thought. He has made Clay
ton ask you to come here. Then,
while Clayton keeps out Of the way,
Stanley makes up as Pierre La Rue
and meets you. He thinks you'll mis-
take him for me and babble to him.
The fool! Except at q distance or
behind an eye-mask Qike last night
we're no more alike than chalk and
cheese. The turkey tries to look like
the eagle. And here is where the
eagle strikes back!"
Steps were coming along the top
floor hallway toward the studio.
Pierre slipped behind the hangings Of
an alcove. Vanya stepped over TO an
easel and began to study half-ln-
ished sketch.
The door behind her opened in
stealthy silence as some one outside
unlocked it and turned the Knob. Soft
footsteps crossed the studio to where
the woman was standing.
Vanya turned, as If noticing a draft
from the open door. And thus sht
confronted the man who hac It en-
tered the room. The man VIZ giareC
at her was really a very creditabl'
imitation Of Pierre La Rue, as. far a.
his general aspect went
The woman stared at him, as !
hypnotized. She did not shift he
gaze from his. Yet, subconsciousl!
she knew that Pierre La Rue ha,
crept noiselessly forth from his hid
ing place and had picked up a heav.
antique cabouret that stood near IN
wall.
The supposed Pierre La Rue opene'
his lips as If to speak. But the word
were never spoken. Down came tn
teakwood cabouret with murderou
force on the back Of the newcomer
head. The man fell crashing 10 tn
studio floor like a polled OK.
Quick" ordered La Rue, pointin
at the quivering and senseless bod
on the floor.
He and Yanya lifted the inert forT
to the nearest chair, and there the
deftly bound the hands and legs G
their victim 70 the legs and arms Q
the big chair.
Hes coming TO his sense
tered La Rue. He must hs'
like a stone wall. thougt
split his skull. Get out Of sight --e
where, Vanya. He mustn't see 70
J here with me-"
Presently the stricken man opane
his eyes blinlIed dazedly and stare
about him. Then his wandering saz
focused on Pierre La Rue, who stoo
with folded arms and q sneerins hali
smile, looking calmly down upo
him.
Mfr. Stanley said Ia Rue, wit
ironic courtesy, the game IS III
Here is where you drop out CT h
Crimson Stain pursuit, very det4n -el
and permanently"
: You presumptuous fool!" h
, snarled fiercely. up to yesterday
should have been content 10 give yo
| a simple death, with the finger nccl
, lace Today I am not. You are goin
} to die by torture. The most acui
: torture can infict. Do you kno'
why?"
He paused as If for an answer, II
| bound man in the chair merely gape
| at him in fascinated horror.
"Mr. Stanley" resumed Pierre. s.
= is not on the free list to try to in
l itate me. This you did last nigh
. This you have done again toda.
The turkey cock has strutted in Il
, eagles plumage And to punish thl
you shall be tortured"
| AS he spoke he reached forwaI
) with a gesture Of anger and toi
away his prisoners false hair an
J beard. And once more the chilled
: steel nerves sustained distinct shoe
! as the tied man revealed the face
t Robert Clayton instead Of the SUI
) posed Stanley's.
, II went hunting for a fox" con
= mented La Rue, his nerve steadyir
, again. And ii seems l have caugl
/ only a rabbit. But a rabbit that ma
Querades as a lion cannot expect
; live to boast about it."
He leaned forward, his long, lee
fingers slowly eneireling the nelplei
Clayton's throat.
Florence Montrose, true to her re
l olution, had come down from Rive
al. a.. A. cfvEf. A,,tgat.--. -.