The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28

break It down, 1t was true, but that
would both take time and involve GER
tain risks. And help might come at
any moment.
Even as he sat there he could hear
the key turned in the lock and then
the sound Of Legar's quick oath of
evaporation as the door knob fell
loose to the floor. in response to his
tug at 1t. At the same time hope
rose in the captive's heart. for he
could hear the mufi1ed sound Of a
knock on the outer door. And still
again the prisoner in the closet could
hear Legar's oath of evaporation.
This was followed by the sudden i'm
pact of the heavy wing chair against
the panels of the closet door. That
blow, repeated again and yet again,
was heavy enough to break through
the wood. But that dignitary, known
az High Collar Davis. being a gen.
tleman not given to inactivity in mo-
ments Of emergency. and being suffi-
GENTLY persuaded Of untoward pro-
ceedings behind the door which re-
fused to open to his knock, promptly
seized a fire ak from It's vermilion
painted rack in the hall and sent II
crashing through the panels of the
door which bore the numerals 3o7.
The man who emerged from the
closet fingered only long enough to
point out to them the fleeing figures
already At the foot of the fire escape.
Then he himself darted down through
the hotel hallway. took the stairs on
the run, circied out through the TO-
tunda, and. snringing through shrub
berry and flower beds. leaped into a
limousine drawn UP at the side OF the
road.
Follow that touring car those men
have just piled into" he called out
TO his driver. Follow It until we
get into the city. Then swing past
1t and get to Golden's house before
1t does. whatever happens!"
But that touring car showed itself
to be much speedier vehicle than
its upkempt appearance might in
dictate. And it's driver seemed pos
sessed of a surprisingly intimate
knowledge Of suburban side roads,
for as the black limousine drew up
on II the dust covered open car sud
denly swerved 30 the left. dipped
into n narrow valley and took the
rise TO the railway track like a swal-
low rounding a cliff head
Then the man in the yellow mask
stood up in his car, with an invoi-
untary gasp of horror on his lips.
For laundering along the curving
track as that dusty touring car rose
to the crossing came an even swifter
moving through freight. whistling
its frantic warning as 1t came.
But that warning was too late. The
pilot Of the locomotive seemed TO root
like a boar's snout under the fiimsy
body OF the automobile and then toss
1t and its human freight high over
its shoulder. There was a ruomen-
tary cascade of bodies and metal
through the air. a sudden discontinue
ance of the whistle blasts and the
grind of steel against steel as the
startled engine-driver threw on his
brakes.
Did they strike ?" asked the Laugh
ing Masks chauffeur over his Shout
der.
Yes, they struck, But don't turn
other car from that hotel following
denis house first"
1t was some twelve minutes later
that Margory Golden, as she sat dis
consolately in the quietness OF her
room. found herself confronted by an
unannounced visitor.
TITS you!" she gasped. as she rose
to her feet and found the Laughing
Mask standing. little breathless.
Just inside her door.
But surely you'd trust me enough
to hide me away here until can es-
cape from them?"
How can you ask me to trust you,
when you refuse to trust me?"
The man. standing with his back to
the door, remained silent for a mo-
ment or two. Then he quietly reached
back and turned the key In the lock. 4.
"And you Insist that unmask?" 4
No, do not insist. But IL you be-
iieve in my honesty I also want to
believe in yours"
Again there was O. moment OF nj.
lence.
You are right" said the man In
the mask. Then he crossed the room,
to the door of the white-tiled bath
room, laughing as he went. But
since my hands are clean also In
sist that my face shall bel"
The girl stood puzzled as she heard
the sound Of tap being turned and
the splash of water.
What are you doing?" she de-
manded.
A quiet laugh echoed out of the lit
tie tiled room.
Washing my face" answered a
somewhat altered voice. and I'm
afraid I'm rather spelling your towel
with my makeup"
The next minute the Laughing
Mask, denuded of his domino. stepped
back into the room.
VIII you trust me enough now to
help me get away?" he asked.
The girl stared ound.eyed into the
smiling face above her. She started
to lift her hand. as though in won
der, to her brow. But the man IN the
doorway Imprisoned that hand n his
own and drew her a little closer 10
him.
''Will you trust mo now?'' he re-
peated.
Yes" she said. In a voice hushed
with wonder, as she felt his arms
close about her. II will always trust
you'll"
Go be concluded next week,