The Yale expositor., 1916-10-26
sprans Bodily on ManIey.


the menacing automatic-barrel TO one
side and sprang bodily on Manley. AS
he did so an unexpected and strangely
mantled figure glded into the narrow
room. II was a figure wrapped and
hooded in heavy velour and only a sec
ond glance at it's strange coveries
would have revealed the fact that 1t
was a portiere quickly torn from its
| fastenings and improvised into
mask to conceal its wearer's identity.
But Manley, as he fought with Wrench,
| had small time to register this fact, or
| the further fact that a rent had been
made in the portiere to serve as an
| eye-hole for the head which ii SO coRS
| pletely covered.
| II was not until that hooded figure
! had joined in the contest that Manley
| became aware OF the second portiere
which his newer opponent carried. For
this portiere was deftly thrown over
the young secretary's head and sudden
ly drawn tight about his arms. The
white-faced and struggling footman,
realizing that his final chance had
come, promptly took advantage Of Man.
ley's momentary helplessness to fall
back, leap for the open door and make
| good his escape.
Manley himself, maddened by the
thought OF that culprit's escape, swung
about on his hooded assailant with a
fury that sent the latter also retreat
ing towards the hall. That unknown
enemy even sought to escape as his
colleague had done, but at the stair
head Manley overlook him. Together
they went down the stairs, tangle of
limbs and striking fists and portiere
ends. They fought and rolled along the
lower floorway, fought until Manley
had freed himself from the others
clutch and was struggling to tear the
drapery from about his mysterious en-
emy's head. But that enemy, fran
tically bent on remaining unknown,
fought back with an added fury which
brought the two swaying ard clinging
bodies full force against the stair
railing. That railing, under the strain,
suddenly gave way. Manley, clinging
desperately to the portiere folds, felt
that voluminous drapery follow after
, him as he fell gasping over the well Of
the stairs.
J He fell sprawling, tangled up in
many yards OF velour, and landed on
; the covering head and shoulders of the
/ astounded Wilson, who, at that sudden
, assault, promptly and vociferously
: shouted for help.
: When Manley, stunned for minute
! or two by the fall, once more opened
Y his eyes and blinked 'inquiringly about
4 him, he saw both Golden and his wife
and Margery herself clustered at his
: side.
did you get him." he demanded.
|, "Get whom?" asked Enoch Golden.
s "That murderous blackleg, Da Es
pares!" was Manley's reply.
o but Count da Espares has nothing
e to do with this" protested the girl
with frown of bewilderment. Hes
d only been helping us, as he always
:. helped us!"
r, "As he always helped your" scoffeC
g the incredulous Manley.
l. "Yes, as he will tell you himselfl
For at that moment, suave and smil
o ing, the count joined the wondering
r circle.
"Ah, monsieur, keep watch above
d as you ask" he explained with a shrug
e But nozzlng happen. l see nobody
n Then, mon dieu, / hear the tumult
d and come down to you. But l canno
comprehend. So tell me, monsieur,
4. beg, what has happen?"
Ie Manley rose stifly and slowly to hi
d feet.
You don't understand" he aske
a as his fixed stare met the mildly ques
q tioning eyes of the count.
Is mo, monsieur" was the other
N softly spoken answer, as he still gaze
d with solemn wonder into the scoffin
face OF the American.
k. But what do you mean by this, AM
ID way, Manley" demanded Enoc
"a Golden.
le "Oh, I guess ne's merely me gu
that put the Laugh In the Laughin
,e Mask" was Manley's embittersd 70
,e enigmatic retort
.rn nm r~aAsrxNyrrnH.