The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-10
THE DANGER SIGNAL.
copyright, 1915, by Arthur Stringer.
EPISODE XVII.
THE VANISHING FAKER.

THE DANGER SIGNAL.
1lHE staid Wilson, who in his
many years of faithful serv-
ice as butler in the Golden
household had seen many
strange and unusual happen
ings, was at that moment decidedly
perplexed. Unless his beloved young
mistress had been suddenly bereft Of
her senses why was she indulging in
such queer and childish antics out
there in the rose garden.
AS Wilson turned from the win
dow sadly shaking his old head the
object of his solicitous anxiety
turned to her red-faced companion.
IT think understand the code fair
1y well now" she said with quiet
been a very efficient teacher"
Don't mention it, Miss Golden"
answered her fattered companion.
tits a pleasure to teach a quick
learner like you, an if you ever want
8. job in the signal corps come to mo
for reference"
LILO uldL SpedhllS III ILLS JOCuidT
vein was the redoubtable Captain
Bracket of headquarters, who had
taken upon himself to the exclusion
of all other duties the self-assigned
task of rounding up that hooking and
elusive parsonage known as the
Laughing Mask.
A thick-set detective now came
briskly down the grass bordered path
and respectfully saluted his chief.
After a low-toned conference with
this man, Captain Bracket excused
himself and hurried away. Left alone,
Margory sat down on a rustic bench
close by Towering bush of fragrant
lilacs, her hands toying idly with the
mirror as she gave herself up to her
not altogether pleasing thoughts. For
these thoughts, in large measure, con-
cerned her fathers secretary, David
Marley, and Of late she had been
greatly disappointed in that young
man.
In order to win her love he had
led her to believe that in the guise
Of the Laughing Mask he had pro-
tected her from the Vaccinations of
that arch-f1end, Jules Legar. But
now this shallow pretense had been
ANONYMOUSLY exposed and Margory's
heart was curiously torn between a
deep-rooted affection for the boyish
secretary and hot indignation be-
cause Of his shameful deception.
The silver-backed mirror slipped
from the fingers Of the distracted
girl and dropped with a little clatter
on the graveled walk at her feet.
Reused from her raSerie she STONED
to pick it up, and as she did SO a
. curious thing happened. Reflected in
that circular hands glass was the
image of a man, peering out through
an opening in the lilac bush. Cow
ering his face was the familiar vel
low mask with the Nlghing mouth
slit. More determi : than ever to
ascertain the iden y of her mys-
FERROUS protector, slrgory quickly
lodged around the lilac bush, hoping
by this flank movement to take the
intruder by surprise. But Margory.
herself, was the one surprised, for
no trace of that masked and evasiye
figure rewarded her thorough search.
To her further bewilderment she
suddenly saw David Marley, dressed
IN MS motorcycle toys. standing on
the other side of that strangely pro-
ductive bush.
What are you doing, here?" she in
quired icily. you seem to have ac-
CURED rather impolite habit of
startling people by springing out of
the ground quite Unexpectedly"
AS Davy Redeemed under the sting
OF this cutting remark he realized
that Margory's faith in him was de-
cidedly shaken
Tim awfully sorry I ANNOYED
you, Margory," he stammered apolo-
getically. "but Aunty Kicks over at
the old homestead telephoned I could
have one of the litter of collie pups
they're prize winning stock, you
know. Before I pick one out I
thought I'd ask if you had any par
ticular preference for markings"
Margory promptly and ungratefully
rejected this proposed peace offering.
Thank you, but am not at all in
terested in the prospect Of raising a
troublesome puppy" she answered
with ruiet scorn as she turned toward
the house.
But, despite her cool treatment of
e~'Js ~sAd1 6OAy ScllI d look OIL JenQeT
concern after his detected figure hur-
rying toward the garage that would
have consoled him greatly could he
have seen it. The next moment that
look changed swiftly to one of horrf-
fed surprise. Over the top OF the
ivy-mantled brick wall thanking the
garage slowly appeared mans head
and shoulders Then followed a lean
fingered hand clutching a glittering
heavy calibered revolver.
She saw Legar raise the nickeled
revolver and squint with deliberate
and careful aim over the sights Be-
fore she, could utter the cry of warn
ing which was trembling on her lips
the revolver in Legar's hand was sud-
denly lowered and that Malignant
faced outlaw slipped out Of sight.
The white-lipped girl saw that Le-
gar's hurried retreat was due to the
fact that at the moment he was about