The Sentinel=record., 1916-11-26
NoV q by ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE From the Consolidated Notion Picture Triumph

ence lifted her over the crazy door. sill into the shack's one room. As she redoubled her struggling Tanner delft ly passed a Tawhide cord around her wrists and ankles, strapping her to d broken down chair.
 The rear door of the shack swung open and Pierre La Rue stepped into the room As he glanced at Florence the Crimson Stain flared luridly in his eyes.
 She shrieEed again. As if in reply to her scream the front door flew open and Bob Clayton burst into the room.
 He strode forward to where Flor ence writhed at her bonds. Before he could reach her Tanner and the masked man hurled themselves upon him from behind. bearing him to the ground under sheer weight and su- perior strength
 Pierre La Rue, on Clayton's en- trance, stepped swiftly back through the doorway by which he had entered and disappeared into the outer dark ness.
 As Tanner, with a "fuu-Nelson. held Clayton powerless the masked man drew long, bladed knife. Flor ence screamed madly for help and closed her eyes to the butchery she had not the courage to witness.
 Let him up!" commanded a voice from the rear door.
 Florence turned, expecting to see Pierre La Rue standing there. h. stead the doorway framed the body of a back-bearded ragged sin lster. He was leveling pistol at the battling trio on the floor
 Let him up!" snarled the hunch- back again.
 Scrambling. they got to their feet, holding their hands above their heads and gaping dazedly at the newcomer Clayton. released, sprang up. All three stared dumbly at the stranger.
 The hunohback. motioning to Clay ton with his free hand, pointed to the fettered girl.
 Cut her loose," he said, and get away from here. I can hold these carrion till you're gone"
 Marveling, Clayton obeyed While the others stood cringing before the unswerying weapon, he cut loose the rawhide bonds and helped the fright ened girl to her feet.
 We owe you our lives, sir" he began, addressing tho hunchback. We"
 Get her to your car and take her home!" interrupted his rescuer.
 Yes" breathed Florence, as Clay ton, with one arm about her, half cGrried her to the car Take me home, Bob. You can telephone your mother that I'm too unnerved 10 go to the dinner Take me home"
 The hunchback waited without moving, the two gangsters still held helpless hy this menacing pistol, until he heard the throb of the departing car.
 Then, with a movement unbeliev- ably swift for one so crippled, he slipped out of the rear doorway and inro the darkness.
 Recovering their courage Tanner and the Black Mask sprang after him. But he was nowhere to be found.
 The car made slow progress over the deep-rutted byway, on it's return trip to the state road. So many jars and bumps shook it's occupants that neither of them noticed an extra im- pact as the hunchback overlook them and clambered up to his former place on the trunk rack.
 Neither Clayton nor the trembling girl saw him. But some one else did. For the last half-mile a motor cycle had followed close behind the car. Now, Layton Parrish, dis mounting from the motorcvcla. 1no int %t dragged forth the wriggling hunch- back.
 Clayton and Florence halted in amaze at the top of the veranda steps.
 Parrish, in triumph, dragged his captive up the steps and into the full glare of the front halls lights.
 I've got himi" cried the detective. fe-ociously shaking the prisoner. who had by this time ceased to resist.
 The hunchback made no reply, but remained moveless and inert.
 "Why!" exclaimed Florence. "This man saved our lives."
 'I ought to know what I'm talking snaried Parrish, shaking his captive again. q tell you this is a member of the Crimson Stain gang Perhaps the leader"
 Roughly, he tore off the prisoners false hair and beard. As he did so the bent shoulders lost their stoop and the hump disappeared from the curved back.
 In the grasp of the astonished de- tectiVe stood--Feiix!
 Parrish was the first of the party to recover from the shock.
 So|' he drawled, malevolentlv. The Crimson Stain is in your own household, doctor!"
 Mir. Clayton is right, Parrish" said Dr. Montrose. You've made a. blunder in arresting this man. It's all nonsense for you to pretend he is mixed up with the Crimson Stain. He IS my servant I'll vouch for him. Let him go."
 Parrish glowered at the doctor and seemed about to refuse But-or SO the watching Clayton imaeined-a sudden gleam crept into Montrose's compelling glance. Parrish hesitated. Ihen with grunt he released his grip on the servant.
 clayton, suddenly laying a hand on Florence's arm and on the doctors. interrupted her by nodding toward the library door curtains.
 A figure was vaguely outlined aSalnst them-the figure as of some one hiding behind the curtains.
 At single stride Clayton reached the portiere and tore it open. Harold