Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-16
Story No. I5---Black Magic

hesitation, and handed him a package
OF bills.
"Ten thousand dollars" said the
Hindoo. "You have done well, my
high priestessP
Marys eyes widened. This was too
easy!
She would have fingered at her post,
but she dared not risk discovery, With
final glance at the two figures in
the library, she made her way to the
front door, and to the street. The
situation was progressing with a ven
gcancel With smile Of citation at
the thought Of the startling story she
would have for Carson and Grant that
night she hurried back to the Royal
ton, where Mona was eagerly await
ing her return.
n, too, have found something
which may be OF service to us" said
Mona after she had heard her friends
excited narrative, and duly compile
mented her on her success. She pro-
duced business card, on which Mary
read the professional announcement
OF Hadj Kulu, and an invitation to
those interested to call at his flat for
advice as to business or social per-
plexitics.
81 am going tonight" announced
Mona. "And ! think see way
whereby / can cooperate with you,
and we can work together"
Early that evening the two girls
went over the situation carefully with
Carson and Grant, and Mona outlined
the scheme which had occurred to her
when she had received the card OF
Hadj Rulu from the janitor, who had
been delighted to part with it for a
quarter.
Mona was admitted to the Hindoo's
apartments without difficulty, and
found that she had beeen preceded by
at least a dozen others. drawn for the
most part from society. Indeed, she
recognized several from pictures OF
celebrities of the smart set in the
newspapers. There was an undercur-
rent of eager anticipation through the
audience, heightened by the subdued
lights, the general shadowy aspect OF
the room, the odor Of burning incense
and the heavy drapcries. The master
OF ceremonies had not yet appeared,
evidently having learned the value OF
theatrical entrance. Or was he
waiting for some one who had not yet
arrived? Mona asked the question
when the door opened and Mrs. Wal
lace glided to seat in the front row
Of chairs, for almost Immediately aft
erward, Had Rulu, in white robes and
turban, appeared, bowling solemnly.
The scene that followed was SUI,
ficiently impressive from the view
point OF the uninitiated. The Hindoo
was a past master in the art Of trick
cry, and several OF the effects he had
arranged were managed so adroitly
that Mona could readily understand
the secret OF the sudden vogue he had
attained The girl watched Mrs Wal
lace closely, and saw that the woman
sat like person in trance. with her
eyes never leaving the solemn figure
OF the Hindoo. When the seancc was
finally ended and the sadience grad
ually dispersed, Mona fingered be-
hind.
The Hihdo finally approached her
and asked If there was any personal
problem concerning which she wished
to consult him.
II need your help badlyP she said
Il will be frank with you.
When | came here ! never expected
to stay. l thought il was all trickery
and sham, and now ] can see how
wrong and unjust was, and what a
wonderful person you really are!
my name is May Allison. ] am an
orphan, and alone In the world except
for my guardian and his wife. am
afraid that my guardian has taken adj
vantage OF that fact, and knowing !
am only woman, and as he thinks
helpless, is trying to swindle me-" She
reached into her handbag, aud drew
out q check, which she laid on the
table. The Hindoo picked it up, and
the girl saw that his eyes glistencd
when he noted that it was drawn to
her order for the sum of 81 900. And
then his attitude stiffened. His eyes
had fallen on the signature at the bot
Wallace"
as Mr.. Wallace your guardian" he
demanded quickly. Mona nodded.
II am sorry to have to say that he
Is, and that he is the man to whom
referred. That check represents my
income. 1t has always been
$4,000 until now. Mr.. Wallace says
that my investments have been unfor-
tunate, and that my stocks have
dropped in value. But it is hard to
believe that can be true. Think OF i'll
Only $1,000 when my checks before
have always been for just twenty
times as muchl
"Of course you may not be able to
help mel Perhaps ! am asking too
much Of your
The Hindoo caught her hand eager
w Indeed. you have come to Just
the right source for assistance. Shall
show you how ! shall punish this
man, who has dared use
you so falsely and cruellyP
AS Mona nodded curiously, the man
stepped back to the teakwood table in
the rear OF the room, and clapped his
hands to summon his servant. The
two conferred together in whispers
for moment, and then the servant
to reappcar moment later
with small wax image which he de-
posted solemnly in the center OF the
table.
Watch" said the Hindoo gravely, !
and proceeded to make a series OF
weird passes directly above the image. !
For moment nothing happened,
and then Mona gave low gasp. The
image was slowly vanishing before
her eyes--yanishing as completely as
though it were actually dissolving
into thin air.
"That is the way shall treat How
ard Wallace said Hadj Rulu gravely.
tIIn ekait ,,a,,seh a G con,niatetSy ne the