The Washington times., 1916-01-03

NH hands the corner OF tue UiAON
N coat that protruded from the
locked garage door, drove his
shoulders full against the door panel,
again and again. But the wood held
firm.
.'Tt seems to be deadlock" laughed
June, forcing her merriment with a
mighty EFFORT. "You have hold of her
coat; so she can't get away. The door
won't open; so you can't get In. Isn't
i just a little ridiculous, Mr.. Lamar T,'
Suppose we give up the chase and?
'Give up the chaser he echoed.
angTily. ''Give II up? Why, it's barely
begun. Just on the other side of the
garage door is the veiled woman VINO
robbed Grant and then gave me the
slip and who holds the entire mystery
Of the Red Circle. Give 1t up? Not II
l have to stand here til doomsdRv!'
But surely" began June, trem-
bling inwardly at his fierce determine
ton.
Miss Travis" broke in Lamar, will
you help me? can't let so mere. Will
YOU hurry around to the front door
OF the house this garage belongs to,
and explain matters? Then ask leave
for me to break the door down. 1 can
do 1t IL you'll hold the coat corner for
me-"
"shaR't hold 1t now?' suggested
June; an idea flashing into her fear
sick mind IN hold the coat while
do anything without the use of your
hands. why waste the time I'd need
to go to the house?'
II don't like to batter down peoples
property" he answered, "even in the
name OF the law-without asking their
permission"
But"
"Besides," he added, "this Yelled
Woman is strong. Whenever she tugs
at hcr coat, it is all I can do to hold
my corner OF II. she might wrench
1t out of your hands"
Yes" agreed June, under her
breath. that's exactly what mean
But she forehore to say it aloud.
And after second lock at Lamar's
get jaw, she meekly turned away
Mary, on the inner side OF the
EaSage door. had listened, painting. to
the brief dialogue. AS she heard
June's light step receding on the
driveway gravel, she threw all her
strength into. one last wrench at the
recalCitrant coat
The cloth was stout and Max La
mars grasp unshakable. Rut the tug
caused two OF the coats upper but
tons to ny half way across the ga
rage. One OF Mary's lean shoulders
slipped out OF the garment That
gave the captive woman her inspira-
ton.
In trembling haste. she unfastened
the remaining buttons. Freeing her
self, she left the imprisoned coat to
fall to the greasy floor of the garaG =
MAX Lamar still ETipping it's cor
ner, on the doors far side, with futile
energy.
The garage was small, stdffy. i'll lit
by a single grimed window pane. The
place reeked Of gaSolene. Of oil. OF
crease TSss: a big car 'illed more
Across the greasy floor through the
gloom. Mary Sroped her way: now
slipping in a Rasolene puddle; now
caroming against the soiled mudguari
OF the machine.
She found the opposite wall, and
felt along its alI-but-unseen surface.
At the farthest corner. her numhed
myers touched what they sought
It was the garages little back door,
giving on the alley, behind the
grounds. For one suicidal moment.
che thought this back door was
locked. But it was only stuck from
long disusc. She threw her whole
fragile weight against the dirt-crust-
ed portal. A shower of dust and
spiders webs cascaded down upon
her head. But the door quivered at
the impact.
She heard wholesome of them La
mars. And again she cast herself
AGAINST the door, This time It few wide
with whining Of hinges and a clatter
OF falling debris; and the rush of her
onset drove her half way across the al
lev outside
Darting back to close the door behind
her, the old woman cast a fearful look
nm and down the allev. The coast was
clear Incontinently Mary took to her
heels, souttling down the alley and
around the hrst corner with the awk-
ward haste of a frightened hen. She
had much ado. too. to keep from
sauawkinG like one, in the reaction from
her peril
Max Lamar chung dOrgedly TO the coat
corner that protruded from the garage =
'front.' door. He heard muffIed noises
from within. But they were so faint and
the door was so thick. that he could not
classify them. Nor. indeed. had he time
10, For. presently, June reappeared
around the corner of the big house.
With her were a hatiess and rather an.
hoyed-looking woman in morninR
gown and a highly interested butler
I'm still holding on. Miss Travis" La
mar hailed June: for the first time
he must be cutting.
And he continued. addressing the other
woman:
Madam. 7 am very sorry to disturb
YOU like this But We have chased a
thief into your garage. as Miss Travis
has probably explained to you. have
hold of this corner OF the fuRitiVe's coat.
as you see. Will YOU let me break the
G lSek OF vour garage door and get in'
III l may suggest" said the woman
in frigid poiiteness. ''it might be better
Ia 60 into me garage by the back door.
Lt'Sots hreakinE my locks. Had that
or,urred "a you. Mr.. DetectiveT'
Crime specialist" hastily corrected
Lamar: then. mo. II hadn't occurred 10
me. I'm not familiar with garages oi
this type. Practically none OF then,
have back doors. so I -"
We had ore cut in," said the unnt
an. III you'll come around to the baca
OF the EarTge with me- -"
Yes quickly agreed Lamar. "YPs
~ course. But-but---"
held.