Bisbee daily review., 1916-12-03

with vindictive oath he tugged loose his automatic and fired point-blank at the sardonic face bending over him A purple mist clouded the gunman's aim and the bullet spent itself with soft plunk in the plastered ceiling Before Eagan could fire second time. that terrible iron projectile attached to the stump of Legar's arm descended again with lightning speed and sent the revolver spinning to the other side of the room.
 At the staccato bark of the pistol the statuesque eavesdropper in the storeroom had stiffened with rigid ex- pectation, but when Legar's incisive tones again broke in on her ears she displayed a sudden and startling ac- tivity Throwing off her metallic headgear. she quickly up-ended an oblong packing case and, balancing on this shaky pedestal, worked loose the rusty hasp securing the heavy skylight Forcing the yielding frame work gradually upward with her head and shoulders, she wormed and un- dulated her way to the fiat tin roof. Catlike she took the ten-foot drop to the roof of the adjoining house, land ing lightly on her feet, and, scudding through door opening upon stair way, made her way down to the street.
 A few moments later the meditative Red Eagan. walking slowly across the narrow strip of shadowy park. felt a light tap on his shoulder. He wheeled sharply in his tracks, his hand reach ing instinctively toward his empty gun pocket. He quickly realized he had nothing to fear from this yelled woman who stood quietly confronting him. and who in no way resembled an emissary from that domed building known as headquarters. She silently motioned him toward a secluded bench near by. Prompted by a vague curiosity. Eagan warily followed her. It was not until they were seated that the woman of mystery spoke.
 Never mind how I know. but you have a heavy score to settle with Cne-armed man calling himself Jules Legar-I can help you in this"
 At that moment this strange con- ference was augmented by third person. who took up his stand behind a thick-boled maple, where he could hear every word spoken. Legar. sur missing the mutinous gunman was in a mood to stir up trouble, had dis patched One-Lamp Louie to shadow his former pal.
 "The plan is a simple one-your master has made 1t appear that mum Der of terrible crimes were perpe. trated by his enemy, the Laughing Mask. Even the police have been per suaded to take that view. Brt you know, and know, the real gull, lies with Legar. This man must De brought to justice and the name of the Laughing Mask cleared, even though he be dead. This can be done only by showing in detail how these crimes were committed-if you will write out those details tonight and place them in my hands tomorrow will see that your score with Jules Legar is paid in full" The woman paused. and then continued-evident- ly trying a different tact If you do what I ask faithfully. twill also make good your share of the loot which so mysteriously took wings and vanished from Legar's safe. But re- member-I have the power to punish as well as to reward.
 Come to a place in Jersey called Rosedale-when you get of the train turn to the left and follow the high standing on a hill-a little way down the road you will see an old barn on the edge of deep gully-at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning I will meet you just outside that old barn. I will have your money and shall expect you to have the written statement disclos- ing Legar's crimes"
 Again she hesitated, and then, hop. ing to play on Eagan's apparent ere dulity, added, The spirit of the dead lduBulIb MASK lS WOI hluS Wllu uio- He will watch your every move. un- til that paper is in my hands!"
 This chance shot told heavily, for the superstitious yeggman,i while fearing no corporal enemy. possessed an unreasoning dread for anything savoring of the supernatural. Casting an apprehensive look about him, he bleated out in terror:
 For Gawd's sake. call off the spir- rit. lady. I give yer me dyin' oath an affydavit t do what yer axed me, but don't want t go up against no spooks.'
 One-Lamp Louie. who had been drinking in this artfully staged hum- mery with avid ears. his one good optic almost starting from it's socket how precipitately rushed to his chief. As he reported in detail his filched version of the conversation between Red Eagan and the yelled guardian of departed spirits. it was apparent he shared in no light measure the superstitious fear of his traitorous confrere. But these vaporish fancies were quickly dispelled by the crafty minded master schemer.
 You're as bad as some half-wltte6 old woman. falling for that spiri,