The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-16
SYNOPSIS

Circle Jim" Borden, named from a red birthmark on his hand, has served his third prison term One in each Bor den generation, always a criminal, has borne the Red Circle mark. Jim and his son, Ted, are the only known living of the Bordens. Max Lamar, a detec- tive, is detailed to keep an eye on Jim. as he is released Jim and Ted are killed Next day Lamar sees the Red Circle on woman's hand outside cur tained automobile. June, marked with the Red Circle robs Grant a loan shark. Mary, Junes nurse, discovers her theft and tells her she is Circle Jim's'' daugh- ter, though Mrs. Travis does not know. Mary tricks Lamar. Lamar visits Smiling Sam Jims old crime partner. Sent to Surfton by Smiling Sam, Alma La Sale robs the guests at a ball. Mary points her out to Lamar, who follows her back to town. captures her with the jewels and goes after Smiling Sam. On the edge of a cliff pursuer and pur- sued engage in deadly combat. Gordon, a fugitive, rescues Lamar, and June in turn, saves Gordan from arrest. Smiling Sam sees the Red Circle on June's head.
 In his office, surrounded by his Stuffy old records and science books, Lamar had been struggling all day to rid him. self of the vision of a pair of challeng- ing eyes, laughing lips and a crown of adorable curls.
 In utter disgust he slammed down a book on "The Defective Cerebellum," took his hat and cane from the rack, and strolled over to the office of the chief oe police.
 The chief came out to greet him.
 'Hello-what's up"? he inquired tersely. at first sight of him. Look all gone to pieces. What is it? Stomach, liver--or heart?'
 ''Oh, I'm worked out!'' explained Max, inlpatiently. These Red Circle cases have got me going. They, make me see what a dub I am.'
 q don't want to speak to you about the
 Red Circle" Allen told him. Come on irto the office and have smoke. I want you to drop these cases for while and go to work on the Gordon affair." The Farwell corporation will pay heavy blood money to get him back. You're the man I want on it..
 'Id like to do anything you ask me to, chief" he declared, sincerely, but l I'm going to stick to the Red Circle until I solve it.
 There was a knock at the door. The chiefs secretary came in from the out side office
 "The two men you sent down to Surfton on the Gordon case are outside. They'd like to see you at once-very important"
 Lamar reached for his hat The chief i,.terposed.
 "No, want you to stay and hear what they have to say Maybe it will arouse your interest sufficiently to make you change your mind. Send them in. Harry.
 The two detectives rushed into the doorway, each desperately anxious to tell the exciting story.
 Didn't get a trace of him down at Surfton, Boyle, the taller of the two, burst out as he crossed the threshold Must have had pal dow:l there who warned him"
 And we were coming back to town disgusted with our luck,'' intercepted Ja- cobs. when all of sudden I look out of the window and see this fellow Cor don, standing plumb on the sidewalk, as bold as you please. Of course Bill and got off that car in double quick time; but before we could steal up on him Gordon sighted us and
 And made for an alleyway," the first detective broke in. jealously. We chased him down the alleyway--it was one run ming alongside lumber yard. We got patrclman to stand guard over the en- trance to the yard while we investigated farther down the alley-but nothing do- ing"
 Ibid you search the yard?' asked La mar quietly.
 "Aw, how can you search a lumber yard?'' scoffed Jacobs. "A guy could have you playing hide-and-seek all week in one of those things We put the patrol man there so he couldn't make a get away
 The chief looked at Lamar. Well" he asked slyly. does it change your mind?"
 Max shook his head. Sorry. But it doesn't. Good-by. I'm not going back to the office just yet. I'm going to take brisk walk Maybe when get back some of these cobwebs will be cleared out of my head. I'm not go- ing to walk past any lumber yards, either" he added as a parting shot. The four men-al interested in the man hunt for the little embezzler. Gordon laughed heartily If only one of them lad looked out of the window of the chiefs office at that minute he would have seen a weary, bedraggled creature holding small white card in his hand, WdHuer pdSl, iOOklus TOT du address. The weary, bedraggled creature was Charles Gordon. fugitive attorney, who, after night spent on damp park lawn. was seeking Max Lamar to throw him. self on his mercy.
 The sight of blue uniform with brass buttons on the street corner ahead of
 him made him dodge rapidly into con venient doorway. Heavy. regular foot steps approached his hiding place-the
 measured pacing Of the patrolman on his beat, known so well to evaders of embarrassing situations. The blue, we'll fed figure got abreast of the spot-pa ssed 1t. unseeing The coast was clear. Gordon jumped from the doorway, l skirted the building. keeping close to the wall. and turned the corner. There he drew free breath and pushed his hat back on his forehead. 1 The second large doorway from the corner had "Black Building carved in the stone up over the arch. Gordon looked at the card in his hand.