The Tomahawk., 1916-06-01


grip known in the science Of combat
a strangle hold with the assailant's
| wrist clamped below and behind the
ear. Average Jones lifted his voice
| and the name that came to his lips
| was the name that had lurked sub
! consciously, in his heart, for days.
"Sylvia!" he cried. "The fourth
| floor! Comet"
1.-THE Mirror" said Average Jones
Push it aside. Pull it down.
With an effort Of nervous strength
the girl lifted aside the big glass. Be
hind it hundred scarlet-banded in
sects swarmed and scampered.
"Unless nly little detectives have de
ceived me-" Jones said, you'll find
the body in there
She CROPPED, and drew forth large
box. In it was packed the body OF
Peter Paul. There was a cord about
the fat neck.
"Strangled, whispered the girl
Poor old doggie!" Then she whirled'
upon the PROSTATE man. ''You muir
derer!' she said very low.
Its not murder to put a dying
brute out OF the way" said the shaken
man sullenly.
"But it's fraud, in this case,' retort
ed Average Jones. "A fraud of which
you're self-convicted. Get up
There was no more fight in Judge
"Oily" Ackroyd He skunk to the stairs
and limped heavily down to his fright
ened and sobbing wife.
do you mind my saying" said
Jones, that you are the bravest and
finest human being I've met in
a-a-somewhat varied career?"
The girl shuddered. II could have
stood it all,' she said, "but for those
awful, crawling, red creatures"
''Those?" said Average Jones. why
they were my bloodhounds, my little
detectives"
And what are they?"
''Carrion Beetles" said Average
Jones. where the vultures of the in.
sect kingdom are gathered together,
there the quarry lies.''
Sylvia Graham drew a long breath.
I'm all right now" she pronounced.
There's nothing left, I suppose, but
to leave this house. And to thank
you. How am ever to thank you?"
She lifted her eyes to his.
Never mind the thanks" said Az.
erage Jones unevenly. 1T was moth.
ing"
1T was-everything! It was won.
derful!" cried the girl, and held out
her slender hands to him.
AS they clasped warmly upon his,
Average Jones' reason lost it's balance.
Bending over the little, clinging hands,
he pressed his lips to them. Only for
moment. The hands slipped from his.
There was a quick, frightened gasp,
and the girls face, ali afush with a
new, sweet fearfulness and wondering
confusion, vanished behind a ponder
Gus swinging door.
The young mans knees shook lit
tie as he walked forward and put his
lips close to the Intel.
"Sylvia.'
There was a faint rustic from with
in.
I'm sorry. I mean, I'm glad. Glad
der than of anything I've ever done in
my life."
Silence from within.
Listen, there mustn't be any misun-
derstanding about this, dear. If you
send for me, it must be because you
want NE; knowing that, when come,
shall come for you. Good-by, DEAR"
"Good-by." 1t was the merest whis-
per from behind the door.
Two days later he sat at his desk,
in murk of woe. No word nor sign
had come to him from Miss Sylvia Ora
ham. He frowned heavily as Simpson
entered the inner sanctum with the
usual packet Of clippings.
Leave them,' he ordered.
eyes, SIR The confidential clerk
fingered, looking uncomfortable. any
thing from yesterdays lot, sir?'
Haven't looked them over yet.' &
"Or day befores?' :
Haven't taken those up either"
If might suggest, there's a very
interesting advertisement in yester-
days pape.' repeated this morn-'
Il don't want to see it."
mo, sir. But-but still-it it seems
to have strange reference to the
burial OF the million-dollar dog, and
an invitation that thought"
Where 1T it? Give it to mel" For
once in his life, high pressure of ex-
element Lad blotted out Average
Jones dravl. His employee thrust
into his had this announcement from
the Banner of that morning:
DIED-AT 100 WEST SIXTEENTH
street, September IA, Peter Paul dog,
for many years the faithful and fond
| companion Of the late Amelia Van Hal
tern. Bur:;.l in accordance with the wish
and will of Mrs. Van Haltern at the fam
| lily estate, Schuylkill, September II. at
three o'cloc,:;; His friend. Don Quixote.
| is especially hidden to come, if he will
Average Jones leaped to his feet.
where's H. hat? Where's the time
table? Get cab! Simpson, you idiot,
why didn't you make me read this be-
fore, cCnfOulut yOul 7 mean Cod hlesa