The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-28
THE THIRD DEGREE

Far out on the horizon a s1oop veered to the wind and bent its graceful sails as if to scoop the crest of a frothy little wave.
 Mary and June were sitting on the ob- servation porch of the Travis home, looking out over the beach.
 Its almost deserted' June said, with some amazement. At this hour, any other morning, the beach would be crowded. The dance must have played havoc"
 too.' Mary smoothed back the girls hair. "A young person like you needs all the sleep she can get"
 Why, I'm as fresh as a daisy" re- belled June. If I stay in bed too long I get all stupid and loggy. And, just think how terrible it would be if I had been lazy this morning! That Woman in Black would have gotten away safely As long as I'm real sleuth now, I can't afford to sleep overhours, you know.'
 Mary looked up at the mischievous, smiling face. A shadow of fear crept into her eyes.
 T wish you wouldn't have anything more to do with this'' she begged gently. You are so young. so impul- sive. Don't you know if you play with fire you must be burned?"
 But I'm not playing with fire" ob- jected June. And, besides, don't you see that I've taken out the safest sort of an insurance policy by Joining forces with Mr. Lamar in tracking the Red Circle?''
 T don't like it--I don't like anything about it" Mary clasped and unclasped her hands nervously. You have be- come so headstrong, dear. Ever since this mark came on your hand, you're so different"
 "oh, look!'' June exclaimed, glad of an excuse to change the subject. Look at the monkey, Mary. Isn't he perfectly adorable? Oh, you're not looking in the right place. He's doing all sorts of tricks. Isn't he wonderful?'
 T think he's an awful looking thing I'm going into the house. I don't want to look at him any more"
 'All right; you go in. I'll stay out here.'
 June leaped out over the porch rail. keeping her eyes fastened on the organ grinder. Mary watched the girl bite her lips and frown. The signs were alarming. The old woman looked down at the hand on the rail, with fear and trembling. Her worst suspicious were realized. A faint red ring appeared. Mary put out her hand as if to stop it's growing more vivid. Slowly the color came into it. It blazed forth in all it's strength just as June exclaimed an- grily:
 "Oh, why does he mistreat that poor. captive animals? A defenseless mite like that It's outrageous the way he pulls that rope-just look, he's even kicking him"
 You're going to do no such thing, The idea of getting so worked up over a monkey"
 Tt isn't because it's 8 monkey. It's because it's heartless cruelty to dumb animal
 Anyhow. you're coming right in the house with me-"
 "No, I'm not
 Look at your hand,' said Mary tersely.
 Startled, June obeyed. The Red Cir cle glared back at her with malevolent intensity. Just for second her face clouded. Then the same queer. mis- chievous smile returned.
 w ell, WHdl Ol SH6 CnallenEeu.
 You know" Mary answered, sim ply. Come into the house with me be- fore you get into any trouble. dear"
 T don't want to-
 Please. I'm so worried. pet"
 "Oh. all right. Only don't look so 
 Upstairs, June entered her room and ran to the window. The organ grinder had moved out of sight. A strange, sickening sensation came over her as she thought of him and his treatment of the monkey.
 On little table near the window 3 small pair of scissors caught the sun and reflected the light, so that it dag zled the eyes. June caught sight of them. She picked them up quickly and slipped them, almost involuntarily into the pocket of her dress. Then she reached for small sport hat that was lying on chair and ran out of the room, closing the door behind her
 On the sand leaning against pile. lnder the pier,, sat the Italian organ grinder sound asleep-his old. battered organ propped up beside him. The