The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-08-05


He would have reached the door
and passed out through 1t without in
terrliption. had not the entrance door
OF the house been thrown open and the
noise OF many feet sounded through
the wide hallway And the next mo-
ment the indignant voice OF Enoch Col
den could be heard calling for his
vanished servants.
Legar, with movement OF his
weapon. motioned Wilson and the
shaking kneed footman out through
the door. Then, staring frantically
about the room. ne ran 20 Perugian
panel screen OF faded tapestry and
crouched behind IT, with his revolver
still in his hand.
The next moment the room was
filled with a clatter or hnrrying feet
and a babel OF voices Wilson, almost
inarticulate with excitement. attempt
ed for the third time TO explain the
situation TO Enoch Golden and the Of
ficials from the central Office who fob
lowed at his heels.
NY daughterayou say, shut up in,
that vault!
Yes, sir. shut up with the man in.
the yellow mask! ~, 49,
Golden was breathing hard as he
stopped over the lock-dial aud worked
with. shaking fingers, on the combina
ton. ''+''
stand ready. Captain Bracket, for
you know what this Laughing Mask
is" the old capitalist warned the of
ticer beside him.
Then Golden, throwing back the
lock bars. SWING open the vault door.
But instead of encountering a criminal
with a drawn gun, they found only .,
somewhat dropping shoulders young
man, IN aAyeilow mask. esuppoftihg the
body OF halliaintipg girl. .3....,s -
Get some water, somebody. Qaick!"
said the meoccppiedI voting man IN the
mask, as he stepped slowly aud some
what shalAly out TO the light. But no
one moved to obey that command.
So we've got you at last
IL was Elnoeh Golden who speke,
! confronting the distracted youth in
| the mask as the latter lifted away the
| girls veil and stared half-smilingly
down into her white face at the same
time that sEe slowly opened her eyes
Then he looked up at the girls father.
Yes. you've got me at last" he
quietly announced.
Then we'll just see who 1t is we've
got!" declared the russet-faced officer
as he stepped closer TO the youth in
the yellow domino. With a quick move
ment OF his hand he jerked the mask
from its wearers face.
Golden was not the only person in
that circle who stood for a silent mo-
ment or two staring at the face so sud
denly disclosed to them.
My God" gasped the old million
aire. dropping weakly into chair,
Its David Manley! lists our own
Davyi"t1
well, whoever he is. and whatever
he is, we've got him" triumphantly
announced the russet-faced captain.
And the watching circle could see the
CLINT of the handouts which he so
| promptly and 80 pregnantly produced.
Eyes, you've got me-" acquiesced
their prisoner "But there is one per-
son, remember, that you have still
failed to get. And when you get him,
gentlemen, I'm afraid there's chance
OF your losing me-"
What d you mean by that?" de-
manded Golden. And what d you
mean by breaking into my vault and
carrying of my papers?"
The only thing | intended TO carry
off, sir. was your daughter. And all
your papers you'll find quite intact in
your vault. II hid one of them, as
/ hid my own identity. ii was only TO
protect you and your house from the
Iron Claw
= THAT sounds well, sneered the rus
Ret-faced captain. But / want to see
that chart with my own eyes
Then supposing you look In the safe
for IT," suggested Manley.
There was general movement to-
wards the vault door But at the same
moment there was a more abrupt
movement from another part OF the
room. For Legar. realizing that the
| tgbS VI hAS NRAO NhoNNNN
towards another quarter, stole from
his hiding place and ran. crouching
low, along the library wall towards the
door. He had almost reached that
door whom Margery Golden, glancing
up. caught sight OF the sinister and all
too familiar figure.
The Iron Claw" she cried, in a
voice with alarm, as Legar dove
through the heavy portieres, swung
out into the Wide hallway.
He darted through a second room.
sprang through still another door. and
found himself in the conservatory. He
sprang through the glass wall as I'M
hesitatingly as circus-rider springs
through his paper-hoop, carrying lead
ed panes and the tendrils OF climbing
vines with him as he went.