The Washington times., 1916-01-03

coat that protruded from the
locked garage door, drove his
shoulders full against the door panel,
again and again. But the wood held
firm.
1T seems to be deadlock" laughed
June, forcing her merriment with
mighty effort. You have hold of her
coat so she can't get away. The door
won't open; so you can't get in. Isn't
it just little ridiculous. Mr.. Lamar?
Give UP the chase" he echoed.
angr'ily. Give ii up? Why, it's barely
begun. Just OH the other side of the
garage door is the veiied woman VINO
robbed Grant and then gave me the
slip and who holds the entire mystery
of the Red Circle. Give 1t up? Not If
have to stand here till doomsdav!''
But surely" began June, trem-
bling inwardly at his fierce determina-
ton.
Miss Travis" broke in Lamar. will
you help me? l can't let go mere. viii
YOU hurry around to the front door
Of the house this garage belongs to.
and explain matters? Then ask leave
for me to break the door down. l can
do 1t If you'll hold the coat corner for
me-"
"Sha1't hold 1t now" suggested
June; an idea flashing into her fear
sick mind. "I'll hold the coat while
you try to smash the lock. You can't
hands. Why waste the time Id need
to go to the house,
II don't like to batter down peoples
property" he answered. "even in the
name Of the law-without asking their
permission"
But"
"Besides," h. added, this Yelled
Woman is strong. Whenever she tugs
at her enat' it is al u can do to hold d
II out of your hands
Yes" agreed June. under her
breath. that's exactly what l mean
But she forehore to say it aloud
And after second lock at Lamar's
set jaw, she meekly turned away
toward the house.
gayage door. had listened. painting. to
the brief dialoRue. As she heard
Iune's light step reccding on tho
driveway gravel. she threw all her
strength into one last wrench at the
r"calCitrant coat
The cloth was stout and Max La
mars grasp unshakable. Rut the tug
caused two OF the coats upper but
rage. One of Mary's lean shoulders
slipped out Of the garment. That
gave the captive woman her inspira-
ton.
In trembling haste. she "nfastened
the remaining buttons. Freeing her
self, she left the imprisoned coat to
fall to the greasy floor Of the garas :
Max Lamar still griprinr its cor
ner. on the doors far side, with futile
energy.
The garage was small, sthffy. i'll lit
by single grimed window pane. The
p!ace reeked Of Sasolene. ~ oil. Of
,hsn Ersass rass; 51a, :. A big car ''iIed more
Across the greasy floor through the
eloon. Mary sroped her way: now
slipping in Easolene puddle: now
caromine against the soiled mudguard
OF the machine.
She found the opposite wall. and
felt along its ut-unseen surface
At the farthesl corner. her numhed
fingers touched what they sought
It was the garages little back door
living on the alley, behind the
arounds. For one suicidal moment.
She thought this back door was
locked; But it was only stuck from
fragile weight against the dirt-crust-
ed portal. A shower OF dust and
spiders webs cascaded down upon
ner head. But the door quivered at
She heard voices-one of them La
mars. And again she cast herself
AGAINST the door. This time 1t few wide {:
With whining of hinges and clatter
onset drove her half way across the al
lev outside.
barting back to close the door behind
her' the old woman cast a fearful look
nI Up and down the alley: The coast was
clear. Incontinently Mary took to her
heels, scuttling down the alley and
around the first corner with the awk-
Wafd haste OF a frightened hen. She
nad much ado. too. to keep from
ssauawknc like one. in the reaction from
her peril
Max Lamar chung doceedly TO the coat
..oIrer mat protruded from the garage =
'front.' door. He heard muffled noisos
from within. But they were 40 faint and
classify them Nor. indeed. had he time
to. For. presently, June reappeared
sronnd the corner OF the big house
with her were hatless and rather an
hoFed-lookinS woman in morning
gown and hiehlv interested butler.
I'm still holding on. Miss Travis" La
mar hailed June: for the first time
aware of the somewhat ridiculous figure
n" must be cutting.
And he continued, addressing the other
woman:
Madam. 7 am very sorry to disturb
YOU like this. But We have chased a
has probably explained to you. have
hold Of this corner OF the fugitive's coat.
as YOU see. Will YOU let me break the
lock OF YOUR garage door and get In?
or course. I'll nay -"
N ! may suggest" said the woman
IN frigid pol'teness. 'it might be better
Ia 60 into me garage bv the back door.
letote breaking my locks: Had that
n'''urred - YOU. Mr.. Detective?"
Crime specislist"' hastily corrected
Lamar: then. no IL hadn't occurred to
me I'm not familiar with garages of
thus type. Practically none of then.
have back doors. 80 I -"
we had ore cut in," said tho "nm
nm. III You'll come round TO the la !:
OF he EarrGe with nc -
iCs.' quickly agreed Lamar. Yes,
~ course. Bui-bul----"
tIe looked down at the coat corner 'hc
held