The Elbert County tribune., 1916-06-02
and the taxi and be ready"

and the taxi and be ready"
Yet he showed no exultation a. he
followed the hobbling Owl along a
darkened passageway and up q iieht
of wooden stairs leading to the floor
above.
Bent over table beside the barred
window he saw a girl, girl still In
her teens, girl with a look of In
alienable innocence still in her mourn
full eyes. And Legar. as he crossed
to the table, saw that she was good
to gaze upon. Yet at the sight of him
she shrank back, letting the Iocket
which she had Just tied about her
neck fall from her trembling fingers.
Don't cover that wayi" command
ed Legar. Il haven't come to beat
you. guess the Owl gave you enough
of that"
Then why are You here?" the ques-
tioning eyes seemed to ask him.
I've come to tell you think you've
had about enough of this sort Of thing
It's going to be stopped, and you're
going to see the worldI"
You're going to set me free?"
gasped the fncredulous girl.
Free as a bird!" announced the
ironic Legar. And with as fine feath-
ers as any bird that ever fiew."
I'm to be free?" she repeated, still
dazed.
Sure! So get your things together,
and do 1t quick. There's a taxi wait
ing downstairs. That taxi will carry
you straight to my friend Casavantf.
TO to oil III
amazingly kind"
He stood. ferret-eyed and impassive.
watching the girl as she feverishly
gathered together her meager belong
ings. He hurried her out OF the room,
then along the passage and down the
narrow stairway and out to the street
where the taxi waited.
There McTigue sat ready for her.
That worthy remained silent, how
ever, as a sob or two shook the girls
body and light of exultation shone
from her timorous eyes. She too re-
manned silent as they threaded their
way through the darkened streets and
drew up before brown-stone house.
Up to the door of this house McTigue
led the still wondering young woman.
There his finger played graphically on
the electric push bell, sounding Casa
vanti's pass signal, and a moment
later the door mysteriously opened and
the girl found herself alone. Even
before the door could close behind her
silent-running limousine swung up
to the curb and a hurrying figure
stepped from its runningboard. But
before that figure could mount the
steps and reach the house entrance
the heavy door had swung shut again.
And the wide-eyed girl. following a
footman In service uniform, mounted
the stairs to Casavanti's private
room.
Casavanti, as he looked up and saw
her. let the cigarette fall from his thin.
Tipped mouth.
"The Doc was dead right" he said
under his breath. She's a flower, all
right"
Then, still watching the girl. he
said aloud: Are you afraid of me?"
NO. was her answer
Then come here" he commanded.
Bus she still stood gazing wonder
ingly about the room. A suspicion
that all was not as it should be had
crept over her.
why was I sent here?" she de-
manded, as Casavanti. white faced.
stepped closer to her.
For this" he replied. as with
sudden movement his arms went out
and encompassed her shrinking body.
She fought and struggled in that con-
taminating embrace. but her strength
was not equal to her captor's. Casa
vanti, bending her body close to his.
cupped his impassioned lips over her
parted lips. It was several seconds be-
fore he lifted his head.
Before he did SO, however, the closet
door on his right opened and figure
stepped noiselessly out into the room.
1t was the figure of a man who wore
a laughing mask.
"One word, you hound. and it's your
last!" said the quiet-toned voice be-
hind the mask. But the revolver re-
manned pointing at Casavanti's head
as the stranger took the girls hand
and backed slowly towards the hall
door. He CROPPED for the door handle,
leveled his weapon and still watched
Casavanti. But the door, he discov-
| cred. was locked. Perplexed. for one
short second he turned and looked for
the key. But in that instant the tense
limbed Casavanti, beholding the re-
volver barrel waver from its target,
saw his chance and leaped for his
| enemy.
The force of that impact sent the
mysterious intruder staggering against
the wall and the revolver itself clat-
tering across the floor. The girl
| screamed in terror as the two con-
tending figures fought and writhed