The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-06
THE RED CIRCLE
By PAYsoN TERHuNE Author of The Fighter" "Caeb Conover," Syria From the Saddle" Etc-Noveized From the Pathe Photo Play of the Same Name by Will M Rtchey
 Copyright 1915. Albert Terhune)
By ALBERT PAYsoN TERHl

1 turously. My beautiful pendant that was stolen''
 | 'I told you how we found the jewels Alma La Sale stole at the ball. said Max. T recognized this pendant. And got leave to bring it back to you at once"
 ''Oh, thank you! Thank you a thou sand times. How shall I ever be able to thank you as I ought to?'' 1 By letting me put the pendant back where it belongs" he answered, his eyes aglow
 l With an embarrassed laugh she held out the chain to him. Almost rever- ently he took it. rose and stepped be- hind her. Carressingly, he placed the pendant chain about her soft white throat, taking an unduly long time in closing the catch that fastened the l trinket in place.
 | He was standing behind her. Believ- l ing himself unseen, he stopped lower until his lips rested lightly for an in- stant on the curls. June, looking in the opposite oval mirror saw everything 1 At the almost imperceptible touch of his lips to her hair she felt her breath come and go quickly. Something strange. something terrifying, yet blissfully hap py. dawned all at once in her soul.
 June" he breathed, tensely, bending | over until his face was close to hers. June! My
 | There was step in the hallway. Mary appeared; lettering, as if without purpose, just outside the open library doors. The spell was broken. June came to herself with a start, as though | from some wonderful dream. | T am afraid it is rather late" said Lamar, forcing a commonplace tone into his agitated voice. Good night, Miss Travis. I am glad to have been able | to get back your pendant for you. And I'm sorry to have had to tell you your reformed friend, Sam Evans, is still crook and is fugitive from justice. Good night
 Patrolman O'Hara-newest member of Surfton's diminutive police force-was walking his beat in disconsolate frame of mind. Patrolman O'Hara was in love. The brilliant summer moon tonight brought him momentary visions of the l girl he wanted to marry But common sense brought him far more clear visions of her obdurate old father who would not hear of such marriage until Pa
 
 Patrolman O'Hara sighed. Luck was lodging him. That was certain. Yet 1 he was forever looking for chance to distinguish hemself. For instance, only this very evening, circular about a famous metropolitan crook had arrived at the Surfton police station. O'Hara had read it six times. He had studied the picture of the crooks face until he felt he would know it mile away. Patrolman O'Hara turned a corner and came to a standstill as abruptly as if he had run into stone wall Fifty feet ahead of him was an all-night lunchroom-the only place on the block whose window lights were still burning
 ID front of the lunchroom was a blackboard menu, setting. forth the de- lights of various stodgy dainties at a icomfortably low price.
 l And, in the full glare of the window light, his hat pushed back on his fore head, stood a man, hungrily reading the menu.
 Patrolman O'Hara had not studied that police circular for nothing. At glance he recognized the man beside the black board menu. It was the crook whose rogue's gallery photograph was repro. duced on the circular.
 It was Smiling Sam Eagan. Patrolman O'Hara had visions again this time visions of swift promotion. His chance had come! He stepped forward.
 At sight of him Eagan wheeled and began to shuffle away into the compara- tive darkness of the moonlit street. That Was quite enough for Patrolman O'Hara. With a shout, he gave chase. Il Sam, at sound of the quickened steps behind him, broke into . run. Patrol man O'Haras last doubt vanished Long legs must ever win a race against short. Speedily Patrolman O'Hara gained upon his quarry as Sam dashed aimless- lily up one street and down another. Pres- ently he was almost within an arm s length of the puffing fugitive. Another 10 seconds and his hand would be on Eagans collar.
 l 'Halt!' bawled OHara Halt or I'll shoot!''
 Sam turned in at the entrance of an alley and with a final spurt of speed ran Up the alleyway, O'Hara close behind. The policeman's finger was on the trig- ger. He lacked the patience to run his winded man down. sInstead, he made good his threat by firing again. Purpose \ ly he aimed high, but he was no marks man, and the effect of the bullet filled him with the widest consternation For Smiling Sam swerved sharply in his run. gave a coughing cry, stag gered forward upon his knees. half rose,
 mud of the alley.
 Good Lord'' groaned Patrolman O'Hara, suddenly unnerved and shaken with nausea. I've killed him! Twelve murdered man!'
 He stuck the pistol into his belt and went forward to where the inert body lay Hesitatingly he turned the huge, lifeless bulk over on it's back and stopped to feel the heart.
 And in the very same moment the murdered man came to life.
 Patrolman O'Hara felt himself clutched by sinewy, thick hand, whose fingers dug deep into his throat. Eagan, with his other hand, wrenched the pistol from II O'IIara's belt and transferred it to his own pocket Then, with both hands and arms and legs. he proceeded to grip the dumfounded officer and lay him flat and helpless on his back.
 \ In few seconds Eagan was stand ing above his beaten opponent. pistol leevled.
 II (Continued in Tomorrow's Age-Heraldl