The Elbert County tribune., 1916-08-25

in the act of listening at a keyhole,
sprang to her feet and fed like
shadow down the long hallway.
why, that was one of our maids"
cried the astonished girl
And also a secret agent of the
Iron Claws" announced the man in
the mask.
But what are you going to do?''
demanded the puzzled girl.
I'm going to show that I'm still
your friend, and at the same time
prove that this particular maid is your
enemy" called back the man in the
mask.
But that particular maid, realizing
apparently that events were shaping
themselves into some final issue. lost
no time in lettering along the hallway
of that shadowy house. She ran
straight to the heavy folding doors
which shut off the library wherein,
she knew. Enoch Golden was already
comforting with his circle of officers
from the detective bureau. Opening
these doors, she confronted those
startled officials
IF you're after that man you call
the Laughing Mask" she announced
in her shrill soprano, you'll find him
here in this house. at this very mo-
ment."
o. 'In this house?" echoed the astound-
ed old millionaire.
you'll find him." shrilled the white
faced maid, "in Margery Golden's
room. And the sooner you get there
the betteri"
They rose as one man and moved
towards the door.
But they did not pass through that
door. They came to a pause, for the
very material reason that a man in a
yellow mask. holding revolver in
his hand, confronted them from the
hallway.
Just moment, gentlemen" this
masked stranger suavely announced.
although the suavity of his voice was
somewhat discounted by the obviously
menacing position of his firearm.
Since denunciations seem to be in Or
der, will you permit me to point out
to you that the young lady who has
just addressed you is Betsy LeMarsh,
alias williamsburg Sadie, not only one
of the most adroit woman crooks in
the city, but also an emlssary and
agent of Jules Legar himself"
Having made that speech, the
Laughing Mask promptly swung the
heavy folding doors shut He did so
before one of the astonished onlookers
could interfere. Then he turned the
key in the snaplock. and ran headlong
along the quiet hall. He all but col
lided with Margery Golden herself.
Here's where l take time by the
forelock," he grimly announced, as
he darted across the room to q huge old
fashioned grandfather's clock which
stood against the farther wall. The
astonished girl saw him swing open
the door and step inside the clock.
Then she turned quickly about, for the
men from the central office were al
ready in the room. And she had no
desire to make their task easier for
them.
THAT man came into this room!"
declared one of the older men, chal-
lenging the half-smiling girl with an
indignant forefnger. Where is he?"
How should l know" asked the
calm-eyed young woman.
We'll, nes here, and Wen get him."
declared the man who seemed to be
the leader of the others. Then Margery
Golden's heart suddenly came up into
her mouth, for she could see that he
was hurrying across the room in the
direction of the clock. She could see
his right hand go into his pocket and
whip out a revolver as his left hand
threw open the little black-walnut
door along the face of the clock. Then
she breathed again, for the clock was
empty.
But the man with the revolver had
dropped to his knees and was patting
interrogatively about the clock base.
Il thought sol" he suddenly called
out. There's a spring trap here that
opens through the floor. Quick, some
of you men. get down to the base
ment!"
Margery Golden was even able to
smile again.
WILSON" she said. "be so good as
to show these gentlemen the way to
the basement. And then be so good
as to have Miss Betsy LeMarsh come
here"
But Miss Betsy LeMarsh had COM
mandeered hat and coat belonging
to her mistress. possessed herself of
jeweled ring or two and a small moroc-
co case, which she discreetly slowed
away as she stole quietly down the
servants stairs, and slipped out
through the shrubbery.
So preoccupied was she, however, in
putting distance between her and the
house which she had just left that she
failed to observe a figure simultane-
ously and quite as eagerly emerging