The Raymer enterprise., 1916-12-28
4 Terrific Combat Was Taking Place.

~
kempt appearance might indicate. And
its driver seemed possessed Of sur
prisingly intimate knowledge Of subur
ban side roads. for as the black
limousine drew up on 1t the dust-cov
cred open car suddenly swerved to the
left, dipped into a narrow valley, and
took the rise to the railway track like
swallow rounding Q cliff head.
Then the man In the yellow mask
stood up in his car, with an involun.
tary gasp Of horror on his lips. For
laundering along the curving track
as the dusty touring car rose to the
crossing came an even swifter-moving
through freight, whistling its frantic
warning as 1t came.
But that warning was too late. The
pilot of the locomotive seemed to root
like a boar's snout under the fiimsy
body Of the automobile and then toss
It and its human freight high over its
shoulder There was a momentary
cascade Of bodies and metal through
the air, sudden discontinuance OF the
whistle blasts, and the grind Of steel
against steel as the startled engine
driver threw on his brakes.
did they striker" asked the Laugh
ing Masks chauffeur over his shoulder.
"Yes, they struck! But don't turn
back. Keep going! For there's an.
other car from that hotel following US.
and we've still got to get to Golden's
house first"
It was some twelve minutes later
that Margery Golden, as she sat dis
consolately in the quietness OF her
room, found herself confronted by an
unannounced visitor.
ITS you!" she gasped, as she rose
! to her feet and found the Laughing
Mask standing. little breathless. Just
\ inside her door.
I'm sorry to startle you" he ex.
J planned, but as usual, they didn't give
me any too much time!"
But what has happened!"
THE samesthing over again. There
) are five men downstairs persuading
your father the Laughing Mask is
!. criminal, and those FIVE men are deter
: mined to make me prisoner"
!. "But why should they keep saying
+ this?" asked the bewildered girl.
. Because they don't understand"
j, mo, they don't understand she re-
t peated. Then She turned and stared
Q at the masked face Nor DO aito
!. gether understandS
! But surely you'd trust me enough
to hide me away here's until l can o.
e cape from them?"
t How can you ask me 70 trust you
I when you refuse to trust meG"
r have!" e
n "Yet not enough to remove that
= mask"
o And you insist that l unmask
t mo, do not insist. But II youk De
o leye in my honesty also want to NJ
Q lieve in yours
r Again there was moment Of silence.
n "You are right" said the man in
1 the mask. Then he crossed the room
y to the door Of the whits-tiled bath.
g room, laughing - ae went. But since
t my hands are <iean, also insist that
my face shall bal"
k The girl stood puzzled a. she heard
y the sound Of tap being turned and
a the splash Of water.
n What are you doingr she DE-.
T. manded.
J. Washing my face" answered :
= somewhat altered voice, "and r.m
y afraid I'm ratt spelling your towel
i. with my make-up."
I The next minute the Laughing Mask.
Q denuded Of his domino. stepped back
into the room.
y "Will you trust me enough now to
" help me get away?" he asked.
Ie The girl stared round-eyed into the
e smiling face above her. She started te
10 lit her hand. a. though in wonder. n
is her brow. But the man In the door
N way Imprisoned that hand ~
le ana drew her little q
y will you trust
peated.
70 with won,
about her
Is n