Bisbee daily review., 1916-11-12

the rest of the floor. And this, .ob- viously, had released a steel arm which had swung suddenly forward and swept the startled intruder fat against the stone wall, holding him there as in a wise. And as he stood pinioned there a great block of gran ite, released by some hidden ma chinery, was slowly descending from the roof of the corridor Margery quickly manipulated the chains and re- leased the chauffeur.
 Let me at 'em," he shouted, bran dishing the automobile wrench which he still carried in his hand. Just let me at 'em!'
 It's no use," cried Margery. hold ing him back. They have gone. the lot of them. And we've got to follow quickly, or there1l be a whole fam fly meet a worse fate than yours might have been tonight"
 She had taken the wrench from his hand and was leading him out of the tunnel mouth by this time, explain ing that he would have to bring his .axicab from it's hiding place and at once start in pursuit of the Iron Claw. But these explanations came to sud den and an unexpected ending, for Le- gar and his followers, skulking in the bushes, caught that betraying sound of voices and saw a chance that was too good to be missed. They closed in or the girl and the taxi-driver. Yet that sullen-spirited driver, when cor nered, fought with an energy so ex- plosive that the entire circle became involved in the struggle. It was Le- gar himself. and only Legar. who had the presence of mind to direct the at- tention towards the girl. He swung suddenly about and started for her. She saw him coming. raised the heavy wrench she still carried and sent it flat against his bony temple and took to her heels. She jumped into the empty taxicab and headed for the OMara cottage.
 So colorless was her face as the be- wildered Dan OMara opened the door that he started back in alarm. And her words were even more disturb ing.
 Come away" she called out Come quick, or it will be too late,'
 And what's wrong now?" asked the astounded householder.
 Get Peggyl" gasped the girl as she stared frantically about the little room. "Get her away from here, quick, The house has been minedi There's been a bomb left here. and any mo- ment-'
 She stopped speaking. for the pun gent smell of powder smoke had as- sailed her nostrils. Then from the open window, in which a somewhat neglected flower-box stood. came a faint sputter of sound
 She ran to the window. Lying in the flower-box she saw a heavy cylinder of metal. Even before she caught sight of the time-fuse which quietly hissed and burned at one end of the cylinder. she knew what it was. It was the internal machine which Le- gars agent had placed there to de- stroy the house. And at any moment the explosion might take place.
 Margery caught the heavy cylinder up in her hands. She even tried to blow out the fuse But this was use less. Then she tried to tear it away. But this second effort was equally fruitless. And sheer panic took pos session of her at the thought of her helplesness. The bomb dropped from her fingers to the floor. She made one instinctive effort to warn poor young Peggy O'Nara away. as the girl ran to her side. But instead of repeating that warning she let her arms close about the slender body as though m mute acknowledgement that she knew 1t was already too late. For the fuse. she could see. was burning down into the end of the cylinder itself She even closed her eyes. awaiting the inev- itable.
 She cDened them again. at the sound of sudden step. She opened them to see a masked figure dart into the room, catch up the smoking metal cylinder. and with one and the same movement hurl it out through the open window.
 The next moment a great detona- tion shook the walls of that house.
 The bomb had exploded. But the house of O'Nara still stood. And Peggy and her father stared open mouthed at the newcomer. who. in- stead of staring back at them. stood intently regarding Margery Golden.
 The Laughing Mask,H said that somewhat shaken young lady, in little more than whisper
 At your service," replied the man in the yellow mask, with hali-hum- nle ard half-mocking bow as he stood. TOT one tieeting moment, in the nar> row doorway.
 (To BE CONTiNUEDl