Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-22

/ crossed the room to Il cupboard and
| cautiously drew thcrefrom Il black bag.
which he carried at arms length by
string The others made way for
him with ludicrous haste. AS he pro-
crossed toward the table. the bag
writhcd and twisted In his grasp.
Hurry up, there" ordered Lin Rue
i'nriiently. Don't be SO slow. Arc
you afraid OF 4 worm like that
Yes" said Tanner. unashamcd, 81
am"
Tanner hastily avertcd his gaze from
his masters, and turned To the snake
as to less dreaded adversary. S,ill
holding the bag in Einrcriy fashion.
he loosed it's drawstrinss and held it
above tho box of orchids.
Out dropped wrigplin;s gray snake
nto the blossoms Before the agile
little serpent could coil itself TO strike.
Tanner clapped the cover on the box
and tied IT fast.
See it is in place at the right time
Tonight" said LIN Rue CURLY. when
Mrs Clayton opens the box. she is due
to forget her lost nccklacc---and every
thing else.
Harold Stanley that evening spent
more time in preparing for the Clay
Ton mask ball than dad any other
guest
rropped on the dresser in front of
him ut the side OF his mirror was tho
Photograph of Pierre La tuc. In the
intervals Of his task at makeup, stan
ley rraCticcd initiating the pose of tho
photographed head. and he sought to
copy from memory the gestures and
the general bearing of this man %
whom he had caught such brief
glimpscS in real life.
The Clayton house. like that of Or.
MontroSe next door was set we'll hack
from the street. in its own grounds.
When SANKEY'S taXiCah turned into the
street 1t camc to halt. For the thor
Oughfarc was blocked with motor cars
which were depositimg guests at the
Claytons.
''rll get out here called Stanley
To his chauffeur AZ the latter began
TO vancouver the taXicab into gap
in the line half a block below the
house
lie left the cab. paid his fare and
struck off Oh foot across the grounds
toward the front door. AS he passed
~ clump OF shrubh-ry dark figure
Glided forth from the shadows and
accoStcd him.
Chief" whispered the man. ITS all
right so far. KEEL and Morrison have
compared their watches. Kiel is hid
ing in the cellar right now with his
hand on the houses electric light
switch. Any ordcvs:"
stanley shook his head. motioncd
tho man back into the shrubbery and
strobe on.
sumed a timiiity OF manner, walk
ing as one who hopes to cludc no
tice. Keeping as much as possible out
OF sight. II WAS thus. he argued.
that the man he WAS impcrsonatinE
would probably Comport himself
From point OF vantage. rs he de-
Scendcd from the drcsSinc- room he
Glanced over the crowded Bathrooms
occupants.
y man ami = girl were greeting the
hostess as Stanlcy's glance fell iIpou
the ballroom. Despite their masks.
lie easily recognized the two rs Flor
cncc Montrosc and her father He
wondered amuscdly how Florence
had been able TO coax the studious
and society hating old doctor to como
TO frivolous aftnir Of this sort.
1t WI" at about this time that n
maid. going from the women's dress
iig-room to Mrs. Ciayton's bedroom.
saw long white box lying across
the foot Of Mrs. Clayton's bed. rhc
maid glanced more closely at il and
saw IT bore the label of fashion
able florist
R"ins inquistivc, she united tho
string that bound the box shut Sb.
WAS about to raise the lid, for :,
peep 1T the, contents, whsp she re-