The Washington herald., 1916-09-10

when hit by anything less formidable
than pile driver
But Harold did not stop TO consider this.
There lay his antagonist apparently life
less on the landing below him. And the
way was clear to Claxton's studio.
With sick dread in his heart Harold
dashed again toward the studio door.
The scream had not been repeated.
Pierre La Rue had heard his henchman
attack Harold. His super-quick wit had
explained to him the whole situation in
fash. And he laid his plans with equal
swiftness.
There was no longer a chance Of kill
ing Harold Stanley today. The best that
La Rue could hope for would be TO eS-
cape in safety and TO prevent Florence
Montrose from betraying him.
Accordingly, even as her lips were
parted for a second cry for help. he leap
ed at her and caught her by the shout
ders. bringing his face close 10 her own.
And the look in his red-stained eyes
changed her impending shrek to a gasp
Of wordless horror.
Deep into the girls frightened eyes he
glared as though his terrible gaze would
pierce to her very soul All his abnor-
mally powerful mind and will power were
concentrated into that silent stare.
Florence, in terror, sought TO remove
her glance from his. She could not. Even
as the serpent charms the bird into help
lessness, so Pierre La Rue's eyes and his
uncanny will power held Florence SPELL
bound.
Her widSstaring gaze became dull. Her
eyes glazed Her tense body relaxed and
would have sank Imply TO the floor had
La Rue not upheld It,
Crash! Harold's shoulder was at the
locked door. And the stout oak shivered
under the impact Vanya came running
in from the dressing-room in panic at
the sound
A second thrust Of the giant shoulders
and the heavy door leaped bodily on its
hinges. while one OF the thick panels split
from top to bottom.
La Rue picked up F1orence's uncon-
scious body in his arms and ran toward
the dressing-roOm.
There's door in the room beyond that
leads out into the hall" Vanya cried to
him as he passed her.
A third crash. with the whole weight
and power OF Harold Stanley's body be
hind 1t, smashed the lock and sent the
studio door flying inward
Harold burst into the room. all but
falling on his face from the force OF his
own impetus. But Pierre had vanished
through the dresing-room doorway
old that the studio was deserted He
saw the open door leading into the dress
trg-room, and dashed toward it.
On the threshold he all but coIided
with Nanya, who came strolling out from
the drossing-room, yawning as she
came.
Why. Mr.. Stanley" exclaimed Vanya.
what on earth are you doing here? Are
you waiting for Mr.. Clayton, as I am?
I got tired waiting and went into the
next room for nap. There's a couch
there, and was sleepy. So l."
Where is she7' demanded Harold, re-
covering from his bewilderment is she
there
is who in where asked vanya, ap-
parently puzzled by the shouted question
IF you, mean in the dressing-room, no
one is there. /"
thrusting his way past her into the dress
ing-rOom.
The room was empty. The door lead
ing into the hall was closed. Banys fol-
lowed him, laughing
Il can explain the cry you heard" she
volunteered. Though I am ashamed to,
had a bad dream and woke myself
screaming and"
TT was not your voice. he declared
1T was hers
''whose?" she asked, amusedly.
He did not answer He was utterly
He could have sworn he
had heard Florence Montrose scream for
help. He had burst in the door. and now
he was confronted by this smiling
vawning model, who was very evidently
the sole occupant of the suite.