The Washington herald., 1916-05-21

a physician. 1t needed no introduction 70 define
him Doctor Ludlow, the head of the insttu-
tion. Mona at once rose from her chair, and
drew him apart from Mary, who sat looking
from the window, apparently oblivious 70 the
others entrance.
May / talk to you in private?" the girl
asked, indicating her companion with q little
gesture. The doctor nodded, and led the way into
long inner corridor, into which the outer Office
led.
MY sister is suffering from a severe nervous
shock, explained Mona. Il don't know just how
serious it may be, but / have come TO the con-
clusion that she needs expert attendance and
treatment-and your institution has been recon-
mended TO me as one where she will receive the
best of care. i should like to discuss her ca-c
with you, and if we can arrange terms. per
haps-"
Doctor Ludlow nodded sympatheticaTy, e,i-
IDENTIFY not at all averse to the suggestion Of a
patient. For few moments Mona ev-
planned, with wonderfully imProviSed complete
ness, the details of her sisters mslady and
then the doctor set forth the terms Of the ir>ri-
tuition, and the treatment which he endes ,ored TO
administer TO patients of the character d-soribed
to him. Mona purPosely haggled somewhat over
the terms, and the two were deep in the discus
sion of the subject when from somev here IN the
building came the sounds Of violent scuTle, and
the shouts of a man.
The next moment haggard figure burst
into the corridor, with uniformed attendant
hanging 10 his arms, and endeavoring TO drag
him back. 1t was Rowland Maxwell.
With muttered curse, Doctor Ludlow sprang
back from Monas side and rushed toward the
struggling pair. Before he could reach them
Maxwell. with sudden twist, had jerkcd him
self free from the attendants arms and hurled
the guard imping into a corner. Without a word
Doctor Ludlow flung himself on MaxweIs shoul-
deTs- and the two swayed back and forth. Iud-
low, forcing the refractory patient back into the
hall from which he had escaped.
Mona could hear the scuffle continuing be-
hind the door. She hesitated for a momen; and
then. stealing forward, tried the handle. II
turned in her hand and the door swung open.
Maxwell had been thrown into a chair. almost
unconscious, while Ludlow disappearing
through another door at the end Of the corridor,
evidently in search of reinfOrcements. Mona
that for the time at least the coast was
clear. With a swift glance in the direction which
Ludlow had taken, she TO MaIwelIs side. and
as the man stared up at her stUpidly in a kind
of vague recognition, she whispered briefly: Help
iS near. Pretend be subdued. and watch for
the appearance Of friends tonight"
1t was four O'Clock in the afternoon when
the machine again rolled through the spiked en-
trance gateway of the RestvieT Sanitarium Mary
gazed about her with open uncertainty and hest
fancy. but Mona met the situation serenely She
confident that if the other girl were running
into peril. she had made arrangements that
would eNtricate her before serious results could
happen And they were playing for stakes that
demanded a certain element Of risk! Everything
went well and that night Mary admitted Mona.
with two paid keepers. into the institution. They
held up the guard and quickly found Msxwell's
room.
II was in the early morning when the
tomobile drew up again before the entrance Of
the Grand Hotel Mons's plans had already been
made, and hasty consultation with the bewild-
cred Maxwell had brought hasty assent from
him. Covering the fnancisr in a long automo-
bile duster, and pulling cap well down over his
face: the two girls proceeded with him through
the lobby and to the elevator, without any ink
hing of the missing mans reappearance reaching
the night clerk at the desk. When the three were
safe in the sitting-room of the girls suite. Mona
sketched rapidly for Maxwell a review of the
events of the past twenty-four hours-snd the
hnancier. now beginning TO recover from his dis
ouieting experience. added such details as were
necessary for a thorough understanding of the
situation. Monas surmise that he had been Kid
mapped by enemies on the market was correct.
His disappearance had been engineered by MeSsrs.
Durkin and Wentworth following his refusal 10
aid them in their scheme to force down the mar
ket. Maxwell paced restessly back and forth
over the room as his keen mind. restored
to normal. began to appreciate the full enormity
of what had been done and how much he owed
TO the quick wit of his two young friends.
I'VE will Of course, keep my temperance a
secret until we see how the market breaks" he
decided, but we had better get someone out to
the internal sanitarium without delay. Your
man must be about exhausted with his vigil
and besides II Wentworth or Durkin think 70
phone the place. they will learn al once what
has happened. We must guard against that hap
penins until we are ready to spring little
prise"
MaNwers little surprise" when II was fin
have been desired. The two conspirators were lit
orally caught red-hsnded, and suffered them
selves TO be led into custody without word. Even
when they met Doctor Ludlow at the police sta
ton. their stupefaction and bewilderment were
great that they accepted this last crushing
blow without word. With the sudden reappear-
of MAXWELL the artificial debated stock
jumped back TO normal with a surprising bound.
and the fnancier returned to his hotel late in
the afternoon, on the whole very well satisfied
with the days developments.
His first action summon Mary and
Mona, and as they stepped into the room. he
pressed into their hands two checks
II took the liberty of investing a few hun
dred for you in Munition Stock before sent the
market up again" he explained. Il thought you
were entitled TO profit by what you have done"
And then before they could utter a word Of
thanks he produced a telegram from his desk
MY secretary has been Unexpectedly de-
tanned. But have decided not 70 wait for hi
report your plans You may count me fully
prepared TO cooperate with you, young ladies, in
any prospect which you may recommend TO me"
An hour later. in the privacy % their room,
Mary threw herself into Mona's arms with a
little laugh of sheer delight.
1T seems too good to be true-doesn't it,