Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1916-07-27

far-reaching efforts were made for tn,
rounding up of this somewhat too au
tocratic Laughing Mask
One of these efforts included a visit
on Enoch Golden by Lieutenant Kibby
and three of his men from the detec
tive bureau. Golden, the lieutenant
/ pointed out, was in position to helI
the authorities out of a predicameni
by telling all he knew about this same
mysterious stranger
But don't know any more about
this Laughing Mask than you do!'
protested the old financier
Surely you have at least some the
DRY as to the identity of the man."
IT thought l had, once or twice. And
my daughter thought she had. But we
were of the track, each time"
"One moment, please" cut in the
lieutenant as he suddenly rose to his
feet and strobe across the room He
stepped out through the portiered
doorway. stared down the hallway, and
returned to the room again. Are you
aware of the fact that young woman
has been standing there listening to
every word we said?"
The deep-lined face of the aged finan-
cier showed no perceptible change.
my daughter, undoubtedly" retort-
ed Golden. For the girls about as
interested in this case, you see, as we
are ourselvesi"
Margery's interest in the mysterious
case of the Laughing Mask, indeed,
would have been brought promptly
home to that somewhat puzzled police
lieutenant had he been able to give
less attention to Enoch Golden and
more to the puzzled-eyed girl who had
stood momentarily arrested at the en-
trance to her fathers library. For
as she moved on down the shadowy
hallway she found herself confronted
by that interruptive but all too IA
miliar figure of the Laughing Mask
himself. He made gesture for ST.
lence as she started back in alarm.
Then he nodded his dominoed head In
the direction of the library door.
Now, perhaps. you will understand
why it has not been easy for me to
explain just who 1 ami"
But you must explain" gasped the
bewildered girl "They are saying
terrible things about you, things which
/ know to he untrue"
DO you trust me?"
II want to-" was the whispered an
swer.
Then will you continue to, trust
me?" asked the man in the mask.
Il don't think / can," was the girls
hesitating answer, until you can trust
mel"
you mean that must unmask7"
But Margery Golden's reply to that
question was never uttered. For as
she was about to speak, her volatile
maid, Celestine, stepped into the hall
behind her, beheld the mysteriously
masked figure, and promptly filled the
house with ringing Gallo scream.
Mon Dieu, it is the Laughing
Mask" she shrilled as she ran down
the hall, giving the alarm.
And her alarm, unreasoning as 1t
seemed, was fully shared by the
Mask himself. He swung
about, darted through a doorway, and
from sight as Golden and
his retainers and his official visitors
came flocking out to the scene OF
that disturbance.
Two minutes later Margery Golden.
hearing a shout from Kibby's men
above stairs, followed that officer to
the scene of the sudden tumult. There,
to her alarm, she saw three men strug-
Cling with figure which she prompt
ly recognized as the Laughing Mask |
himself.
We've got him!" gasped one of his
captors as Lieutenant Kibby confront
ed him.
"Whatll we do with him?" asked his
other captor.
First thing, tear that fool mask
off!" commanded the lieutenant.
But that command was not carried
INTO execution For Margery Golden,
sight Of the Laughing Masks
fallen revolver, ran to where it lay
and took possession Of it. The next
1t was leveled straight at the
heart of the detective whose hand had
been lifted to the yellow domino COW
sring his prisoners face.
STOP" commanded the girl
Put down that gun, you'll" prompt
y commanded Kibby, purple with in
iignation !.
Not until your men release that
was her deliberate response.
Yes, you, both Of you" she continued,
ncnacing the officers of the law with
the revolver. Stand back from
aim! Still further back! Now you"
she added, turning to the Laughing
Mask, walk out throug,, that door!
10 out, and &C at once!"
So intently did che watch that dis
figure that the movements
II the adroit and much-experienced
Kibby, siding stealthily
along the wall beside her, entirely es-
capped her attention. When he leaped
for Margery Golden's tense figure, he
do % III Oh Nd ~ |