The Washington times., 1916-06-25

them. Alden sn~ the masked figure,
and darted into the summer house.
As he did go he bumped into the
hiding Brother Nela.
The two men closed In a death grap-
pie.
Around the wooden floor of the struc-
ture they struggled noiselessly, Alden
fearing that shot from his revolver
would warn the man beneath the win
dow.
Suddenly from the open window above,
the figure of Myra Maynard seemed to
float out on space.
Slowly she appeared. In the dim light
Of the moon. advancing from the orifice
mechanically, Inch by Inch. as though
drawn with difficulty by an unseen
power.
Varney was inpatient
Hurry" he whispered.
But the inanimate body of the girl
was provokingly slow as 1t swung free
, of the wall, and then gradually came
nearer and nearer 10 him.
Within the summer house the combat
grew more furious.
Alden felt ~he clutch OF muscular
fingers at his vindpipe.
1t seemed as though his eyes must pop
rom his head, his tongue cleave to his
throat, In that almost maniacal grasp.
Here was no tnskilled battler In this
dread science Of the professional strang-
Ter.
But. remembering the training Of gym
nasium days. he suddenly managed to
set a "half-Nelson" grip about the an
tagonist's brawnp neck.
His right arm slid down, between the
others shoulder blades. and hope spranG
anew In his heart.
He heard the crunch OF a bone. as he
slowly twisted an arm, backward. and
then upward. until his opponents wrist
was touching his own neck.
nna nrnt nj In frea Alden hr0ti ght
/ II around with all the force he could
command. against the others chin!
The fight WAS over! ...,..
lie rose to his feet, peered toward the
Maynard's sleeping body. clad In the
! snimmering silk night dress. clutched In
the arms OF the masked man.
He drew line on the fellows head
with his revolver. but was astounded to
see the other run toward him.
| ''Pest! was the warning signal from
| Myra's captor. as to his amazement. the
sleeping girl was thrust into Alden's
| own arms
Then the other man disappeared. run
ming feetiy toward the entrance to the
driveway.
Alden. cautiously peerlng about. dis
appeared with the girl in his arms
gliding about the corner OF the house.
Narney had reached the automobile
before he realized that something hat
4
leapsd into the car. snapped his fingers
| In thc faces Of the sleepers.
They rubbed their eyes. and sat up
right. regarding him uneasily.
Something Ia the matter with Brothe
must get him and the siri.".
The five now skulked cautiously ovel
l the path which varney had taken be
fore. As they reached the summer house
he slipped into. the shadow. stumblinl
over er,. an =. Insonsc,o%s ,n form. They drew
He pulled back the black silk hand
kerchief which. covered the features. Il
behold the bleeding. battered face OF tn
leader Of ceremonies.
The man returned to his senses, to,
weak for even a whisper.
Quick. carry him to the carl" com
manded Varney.
The four obeyed. returning through
the shrubbery.
arouse someone at the rear door Of tn
house. He lifted Myra once more an,
now rushed to the front veranda, al
though he realized that this was a posi-
ton exposed to the view Of anyone ol
the thoroughfare.
''She is hypnotized." he muttered
How on earth did she get downstair
this way. ] wonder?"
His efforts to awaken the girl wer
no more successful than his attempt +
wdkeH SOIntOne WIN III tne mouse. II
did not know that even the front doc
bell had been ''doctored' by the caution
Varney.
He began to pound on the door wit
the butt Of his revolver.
Just then the big black automobil
) swung into view along the street
Several figures sprang to the groun
and started up the drive toward him.
Alden banged still more Justify upo
the door.
.r.u tho,, oil ho dr,0gnoy' n. MAS,
dered hopclessly.
Then realizing that he was about I
be surrounded. he tenderly laid the un
conscious girl In the shelter OF tn
brick portico support, and advance
toward the approaching figures.
He drew his revolver and sent, hal
dozen shots at them in rapid succession
The men retreated, on the run. The
sprans into the car, and replying wit