East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-18
NOVeIize d by-ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE
from the Consolidated Motion Picture Triumph


ly passed a rawhide cord around her
wrists and ankles. strapping her to a
broken down chair.
The rear door OF the shack swung
open and Pierre La Rue stepped into
the room. AS he glanced at Florence
the Crimson Stain lared luridly in his
eyes.
She shrieked again. As IL in reply
to her scream the front door few open
and Bob Clayton burst into the room.
He strobe forward to where Flor
ence writhed at her bonds. Before he
could reach her Tanner and the
masked man hurled themselves upons
him from behind, bearing him to the
ground under sheer weight and su-
perior strength.
Pierre La Rue, on Clayton's en-
trance. stepped swiftly back through
the doorway by which he had entered
and disappeared into the outer dark
ness.
AS Tanner, with a "full-Nelson,"
held Clayton powerless the masked
man drew long-bladed knife. Flor
ence screamed madly for help and
closed her eyes to the butchery she
had not the courage to witness.
Let him up!" commanded a voice
from the rear door.
Florence turned, expecting to see
Pierre La Rue standing there. In
stead the doorway framed the body of
a hunchback-bearded, ragged, sin
lister. He was leveling pistol at the
battling trio on the floor.
Let him up!" snarled the hunch-
back again.
Scrambling, they got to their feet,
holding their hands above their heads
and gaping dazedly at the newcomer
Clayton, released. sprang up. All
three stared dumbly at the stranger
The hunchback, motioning to Clay
ton with his free hand. pointed to thC
fettered girl.
"Cut her loose" he said, land ge,
away from here. l can hold these
carrion till you're gone"
Marveling, Clayton obeyed. While
the others stood cringing before the
answering weapon. he cut loose the
rawhide bonds and helped the fright
ened girl to her feet.
I'VE owe you our lives, sir" he
began, addressing the hunchback.
We"
Get her to your car and take her
home!" interrupted his rescuer.
Yes" hri athed Florence, as Clay
ton, with one arm about her, half
carried ner to the car. Take me
home, Bob. You can telephone your
mother that I'm too unnerved to go
to tho dinner Take me home"
The hunchbacE waited without
moving, the two gangsters still held
helpless by this menacing pistol, until
he heard the throb Of the departing
car.
Then, with a movement unbeliev
ably swift for one so crippled, he
slipped out Of the rear doorway and
into the darkness.
Recovering their courage, Tanner
and the Black Mask sprang altar
him. But he was nowhere to be
found.
The car made slow progress over
the deep-rutted byway, on its return
trip to the state road. So many jars
and bumps shook its occupants that
neither Of them noticed an extra i'm
pact as the hunchback overlook them
and clamDered up to his former place
on the trunk rack.
Neither Clayton nor the TREMBLING
girl saw him. But some one G Is
did. For the last half-mile a moto.
cycle had followed close behind The
car. Now, Layton Parrish, &
mounting from the motorcyc,
leaped into the vine Shadows ~
dragged forth the wriggling hucc
back.
Clayton and Florence haltct
amaze at the top Of the vef,
steps.
= \ \
Parrish, in triumph, dragged IS
captive up the steps and into
full glare of the front halls ligh
i've got him!" cried the dete,
fecociously shaking the prisoner
mad by this time ceased to rr
The hunchback made no reply
remained moveleSs and inert.
"Nhy!" exclaimed Florence. az. ,
man saved our lives!"
''I ought to know what I'm talk NJ
about" Snarled Parrish, shaking l,
captive again, 81 tell you this is
member Of the Crimson Stain e.
Perhaps the leader"
Roughly, he tore off the pris, !
false hair and beard. AS he die
the bent shoulders lost their sto
and the hump disappeared from
curved back.
In the grasp Of the astonished &C.
tective stood-Felix!
Parrish was the first Of the party
to recover from the shock.
"So?" he drawled, malevolently.
"The Crimson Stain is in your owl
household, doctor!"
Mr., Clayton is right, Parrish
said DR.. Montrose. You've made &.
blunder in arresting this man. It's
all nonsense for you to pretend he il
mixed UP with the Crimson Stain. Ht
is my servant. I'll vouch for him
Let him 60"
Parrish glowered at the doctor an1
seemed about to refuse. But-or sc
the watching Clayton imagined-s
sudden gleam crept into Montrose's
compelling glance. Parrish hesitated
Then with a grunt he released his
grip on the servant.
Clayton, suddenly laying a hand on
Florence's arm and on the doctors,
interrupted her by nodding toward
the library door curtains.
A figure was vaguely outlined
against them-the figure as Of some
one hiding behind the curtains.
At single stride Clayton reached
the portlere and tore It open. Harold
Stanley stepped from the discovered
hiding place and came out into the
room.
Good evening, DR.. Montrose," said
clAos,larr