The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10

But in thinking that Legar would
for long relinquish his relentless pur-
pose of revenge, they had sadly mis-
judged that vicious master-crininal.
From certain inside sources he
learned of the proposed festivities,
and at once decided the opportune
moment had arrived for him to strike,
and strike hard. Among the per-
nfcious crew which did his bidding
was a swarthy-faced Neapolitan
bomb-setter known as Black Tony.
Because of this mans proclivities for
high explosives he was selected as
the particular instrument for the con-
summation OF Legar's Ubiquitous
scheme.
A little later, in the Owls subter.
ranean retreat. he was receiving his
final instructions from the lips Of his
scar-marked leader. Black Tony
might well prove a plant and dam
gerous tool in skilled hands, but he
was sadly deficient in that initiative
essential for any work more COM
plicated than dynamiting the gro
Gerry shops of his extortion-
compatriots. For this reason Legar
had prepared a rough diagram, which
he now carefully explained to the
furtive-eyed blackmailer.
That this diabolical undertaking
was entirely to the liking of Black
Tony was evidenced by his evil, yell
low-toothed grin as he took the pa
per from Legar's fingers and placed
1t in his pocket. Carrying a small
and well-worn black bag, he started
blithely forth on his terrible errand
of destruction.
Dressed In a rusty Tuxedo, the sup-
posed waiter emerged from the gayly
striped marquee where the long sup
per table was receiving it's finishing
touches and paused for a moment on
his way to the small service tent
which was pitched near by His eyes
roved over that assemblage much as
the eyes of a cold-blooded butcher
might appraise flock of sheep herded
for slaughter. AS his glance rested
upon the massive oak towering over
the refreshment tent, he made lit
tie grimace Of evil satisfaction.
Several feet from it's base the great
trunk had been nearly sawn through
by Legar's picked henchmen, work.
ing under the cover Of darkness. And
now their ruthless handiwork had
been supplemented by the charge OF
powerful explosive which waited only
the spark of ignition to send that
huge oak patriarch crashing down
upon the flimsy affair OF canvas under
it's branches.
The dark-skinned italian, exulting
over the successful completion of the
first part of his deadly mission, stood
amidst scene of wondrous beauty.
High in the heavens swung the full
moon, casting its mellow effulgence
over shimmering lake and wooded
hill. Dispelling the wavering shad-
ows were rnyriads of softly glowing
lights, festooning the trees and be-
spangling the shrubbery. From the
rose garden came the sound Of gently
splashihg fountains as they flung
their silvery cascades into the scent
ed air. Beautifully gowned women
and their somber clad escorts danced
on the velvety lawns to the softly
swelling music of the great orches-
ira, or strolled arm in arm about this
brilliant land Of enchantmert.
A slender, golden-haired girl was
the center Of laughing group. Az
she caught sight of something NOV
ing at her feet she stopped and picked
up q sleepy and blinking-eyed collie
puppy. which she held Struggled in
her arms for a moment.
"Now. Sandy" she admonishA6, as
she set him down. sit is time ali good
little dogs were in bed, 80 run home
as fast as you can"
The dutiful Sandy started for the
house in obedience to the commands
of his mistress, but AZ he passed the
caterers service tent sundry whiffs
and odcrs assailed his nostrils with
an insistent temptation that was not
to be denied. He quietly slipped
through that inviting opening and.
finding no one to dispute him, nosed
inquisitively into various hampers Of