Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-06-14
Copyright. 1915. BY Arthur stringer.
CONTINUED from previous issue.)
BY ARTHUR srRINGER.

the coin drawer of the vault here"
called out the girl as the man in the
mask pushed her deeper into the shad-
ow of the protecting door.
At the same moment that the Laugh
ing Mask swung about and tugged
open the coin drawer, Wilson and a
round-eyed footman. having heard the
sound of the shot. came running to the
library door. But before that door
could be opened, Legar, realizing that
his time was short, had taken matters
in his own hand Charging bodily
against the half-closed vault door, he
swung it shut before the meaning OF
his maneuver could be understood
Then he threw on the lock, spun the
dial, and wheeled about to cover the
two white-faced and gaping-mouthed
servants with his revolver
Stir one foot, either of you, and it'll
be your last move on this EARTH" he
c--ed as he edged guardedly towards
the door. still covering them as he
went
He would have reached the door
and passed out through it without in
terruption, had not the entrance door
of the house been thrown open and the
noise of many feet sounded through
the wide hallway. And the next mo-
ment the indignant voice of Enoch Col
den could be heard calling for his
vanished servants.
Legar, with a movement of his
weapon, motioned Wilson and the
shaking-kneed footman out through
the door. Then, staring frantically
about the room, he ran to a Perugian
panel screen of faded tapestry and
crouched behind it, with his revolver
still in his hand
The next moment the room was
filled with clatter of hurrying feet
and babel of voices. Wilson, almost
inarticulate with excitement, attempt
ed for the third time to explain the
situation to Enoch Golden and the of
ficials from the central office who fol
lowed at his heels.
My daughter, you say, shut UP in
that vault"
Yes, sir, shut up with the man in
the yellow mask!"
Golden was breathing hard as he
stopped over the lock-dial and worked
with shaking fingers on the combina
ton
Stand ready, Captain Bracket, for
you know what this Laughing Mask
isl" the old capitalist warned the of
ficer beside him.
Then Golden, throwing back the
lock-bars. swung open the vault door
But instead of encountering a criminal
with drawn gun, they found only
somewhat dropping shouldered young
man, in yellow mask, supporting the
body of half-fainting girl.
Get some water, somebody, quick!"
said the preoccupied young man n-the
mask, as he stepped slowly and some.
what shakily out to the light. But no
one moved to obey that command.
so we've got you at lastl"
1t was Enoch Golden who spoke,
confronting the abstracted youth in
the mask as the latter lifted away the
girls veil and stared half-smilingly
down into her white race at the same
time that she slowly opened her eyes.
Then he looked up at the girls father.
Yes, you've got me at last" he
quietly announced.
Then We'll just see who it is we've
got!" declared the russet-faced officer
as he stepped closer to the youth in
the yellow domino. With quick move
ment of his hand he jerked the mask
from its wearer's face.
Golden was not the only person in
that circle who stood for a silent mo-
ment or two staring at the face so sud-
denly disclosed to them.
My God" gasped the old million
aire, dropping weakly into a chair,
tits David Marley! lists our own
Davy!"
We'll, whoever he is, and whatever
he is, we've got him!" triumphantly
announced the russet-faced captain.
And the watching circle could see the
CLINT of the handouts which he so
promptly and so pregnantly produced.
Yes, you've got me-" acQuiesced
their prisoner. But there is one per-
son, remember, that you have still
W SCI. Ahd WHICH SOd 6Cl AtL1s
gentlemen, I'm afraid there's a chance
of your losing mel"
What d. you mean by that?" de-
manded Golden. And what d. you
mean by breaking into my vault and
carrying off my papers?"
THE only thing / intended to carry
on, sir, was your daughter. And all
your papers you'll find quite intact in
your vault. If hid one of them, as
/ hid my own identity, it was only to
protect you and your house from the
Iron Clawi"
That sounds well,' sneered the rus
set-faced captain. But want to see
that chart with my own eyes,"
Then supposing you look in the safe
for it," suggested Manley.
There was a general movement to-
wards the vault door. But at the same
moment there was a more abrupt
movement from another part OF the
room. For Legar, realizing that the
eyes of his enemies were directed
towards another quarter, stole from
his hiding place and ran, crouching
low, along the library wall towards the
door. He had almost reached that
door when Margery Golden, glancing
nm non.hf -fch& 80 H. III