Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1916-12-16
EIGHTH EPISODE
THE HAUNTED HAND.


study, took the clipping from the hanC
Of Louie Lamb. 1t detailed briefly how
man and woman had been rescued
from the wreck of a balloon by Ne
Quarrie, the keeper of Pilot Light
five miles eff the coast.
TITS them" said Louie, as Sebastian
finished reuun., and handed back tie
clipping.
Course them" said Sebastian with
much feeling. "Why can't we ever
get out of this tangle, LouieY
Louie Lamb only looked at him
luizzically.
It's your Wife and that man Raven
gar" said Louie "There amt no doubt
Of it. The balloon caught fire, just as
had arranged, but they escaped.
guess they're immortal and there amt
no way # killing them off"
Louie, you'll have to investigate
this" said Sebastian.
81 guess l might" said Louie with "a
meaning smile.
"Well?' demanded Sebastian impa-
tiently.
But amt settling the overhead ex-
penses Of this partnership, senior. The
price, if you please"
Sebastian pulled out his pocketbook
and peeled off five one hundred-dOllar
bills. Louie looked at them, counted
them, and slipped them into his pocket.
III go and see" he said, rising.
And if you find any way of getting
rid of them, don't wait to telephone me
first" said Sebastian sarcastically.
When Louie had gone he began pac-
ing his study with feverish anxiety.
Everything seemed going wrong, Since
he had sent his rival, Jerry Carson,
to prison, and married LeOntine, he
had regretted his participation in the
crime times without number. He had
tired Of LeOntine, but she had refused
20 divorce him until he had confessed
to his share in the conspiracy against
Jerry, her dead lover.
Then there arose before his mental
vision the face of Blanca, the beautiful
criminal for whose sake he had aban-
doned his hopes of reconciliation with
his wife. Blanca His face sOftened.
She would help him out of his trou-
bles. He would ask her to come away
with him somewhere where they could
both start their lives anew together.
He put on his hat and made his way
toward Bianca's house
Blanca, meanwhile, was in the midst
Of one Of those domestic scenes that
were so narrowing to her followers.
1t was several days since she had
trapped Ravengar in her cellar. The
mans mysterious disappearauces and
Temperatures had seemed to her SUI
perstitious mind proof of some occult
power welded by him.
She had gone down to the cellar to
make him a final proposition, not less
than the entire offer of her heart and
fortune. His love seemed to her the
only thing in life just then.
And she had found the cell empty
Ravengar had escaped, in spite of locks
and padlocks, and a triple guard of
Chinese attendants.
She called her followers and over
whelmed them with her fury.
In the midst of the scene Sebas-
tian's card was presented to her. In,
stantly she grew calm. Bianca's head
ruled her heart, Though she loved |
Ravengar, she was well aware that
she could bring Sebastian to her feet
at any moment.
She dismissed Ravengar from her |
mind temporarily ed, few minutes
later was greeting Sebastian with an
alluring smile that conveyed, in wom-
ans subtle manner, the possibility OF
more than the conventionality of the
welcome disclosed.
Il am in trouble" began Sebastian.
Blanca seated herself upon the
lounge beside him. "Tell me your trou-
bic, Senior Navarro" she said, bending
toward him.
Through the terrific storm that beat
about the lighthouse Leontine was con.
scious only of supreme happiness il
Ravengar's presence.