The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-13

her, reached that window first. And to his astonishment he found it most undeniably locked.
 Well, he's here, and we'll get him!" declared the man who seemed to be the leader of the others. Then Mar gory Golden's heart suddenly came up into her mouth, for she could see that he was scurrying across the room in the direction of the clock. She could see his right hand go to 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 padding interrogatively about the clock base out. There's a spring trap here that opens through the floor! Quick, some of you men, get down to the base ment!"
 Msrgory Golden was even able to smile again.
 "Wilson," she said, be so good as. to show these gentlemen the way to the basement"
 And the right way" parked out the man with the revolver. "Or I'll see that you pay for it!"
 Remember, Wilson, the right way" repeated the cool-voiced girl as the men went swarming out after the old butler And then be so good I,o Dat AN re1, here."
 So preoccupied was Betsy, however, in putting distance between her and the house which she had just left that she failed to observe the figure simultaneously and quite as eagerly emerging from a basement window. Yet as she hurriedly rounded the block, in eager quest of taxicab, this figure showed an unmistakable interest in her movements. And when she had finally hailed a taxicab and climbed into it the stranger in a yell low mask so cautiously shadowing her made a signal to the driver of a mysterious limousine which seemed to be casually engaged in following his own movements.
 Follow that taxicab," he com- manded his driver as he leaped into the still moving car. And keep after it until the heavenly cows come homel"
 The man in the limousine sat tense and silent, watching that flight for mile after mile. Then, realizing that it was taking them beyond the bounds of the city itself, he drew shut the side blinds of his car, reached under the seat and took from its hiding place to an actors makeup box.
 Balancing this on his knees, he first removed his mask of yellow cloth, ad- justed small folding mirror to the box lid, and busied himself with the assortment of pigments and cosmetics and makeup putty therein contained. He worked with the promptness and precision of a trained hand, one mo- ment studying his face in the small mirror and the next adjusting putty and cosmetic to his skin.
 The next moment the limousine came to stop at the roadside
 
 the Belleaire Inn," the well-trained driver called back to his master.
 "So I notice," said the Laughter Mask as he stared up at the long verandahed country hotel, skirted by it's wide drives bordered with box. hedges and flower beds. And that's the place. I'll wager, where Legar himself is trying to keep under cover"
 There's the woman herself, run ing up the steps," announced the driver.
 'So I also observe. And under the circumstances I think it would be best for you to slip after her as quietly and quickly as you can."
 "YeS, Sir.''
 'Then come back to the car and report to me the number of the room she asks for. Find out that number, whatever happens. For in that room. I imagine, we're going to encounter our old friend of the Iron Claw"