The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-06

 your presence, if you wishr'
 How long will it take?"
 "Oh, mere matter of few moments. The papers are in my private box at my bank. can take taxi-cab. But you will promise, both of you, that if do this, you will make exposure?"
 Mona looked at the Hindoo, and Hadj Rulu nodded slightly.
 ''We promse' she agreed, apparently un- nerved at her guardians sudden unmasking and confession.
 Carson staggered from the room, and Mona and Rodney Grant left alone with the Hindoo. Hadj Rulu turned to the newspaper man. and ordered him curtly out of the room. For just instant Grant hesitated, and then membering his supposed character he bowed deeply, and obeyed. When he vanished, Mona turned to Hadj Rulu impulsively.
 "How I thank you?" she began, looking at him admiringly. You the most marvellous man I knew"
 Tt is nothing" protested Hadj Rulu
 Perhaps not-to you. But 1t means every thing to me. I know what do to show my appreciation of you. Will you accept the manage ment of my estate? Of course, cannot go longer with MT. Wallace after what has hap pened"
 Hadj Rulu walked back and forth over the foor though debating the question.
 q hardly know what to say. In the first place, very much fear that you may be dis appointed, my young friend. Your guardian may find it impossible to restore what is rghtfully yours, and I fear that in spite of all do, you may suffer financially"
 Do you really think so?' asked Mona in dismay.
 q tell you what I might do, If it would help you. When your guardian returns with your pa pers, will buy half interest in them for cash, if you wish it. l will give you ten thousand dol lars Of course, my interest may not be worth so much, but I am willing to do 1t if it will be of any benefit to you, my little high priestess?"
 "Oh, thank you! Thank you P said Mona, impulsively. "You are noble and generous well as shrewd and successful"
 When Carson returned with his bundle of counterfeit deeds and papers, the Hindoo accepted thnY, Qr6er fay,t and h1c h9l n terest. They were leaving the fiat when Mrs. Wal lace, who was summoned by telephone In nearby apartment announced.
 Hadj Rulu drowned for moment, and then quickly recovered himself. You just in time, my dear friend, to witness the unmasking of your husband, whom have discovered to my surprise and sorrow is unmtigated scoundrel!'
 My husband?" asked Mrs. Wallace in be- wilderment. Where is he?"
 "Therel" cried Radj Rulu, pointing to Carson.
 "But that man is not my husband"
 The Hindoo whirled Mona with sudden suspicion, and saw her grinning.
 What does this mean?" he snarled.
 There another ring at the bell. The visitor this time was Howard Wallace, the banker, in actual fact. At sight of his wife, he stepped forward angrily.
 "What does this mean?" he demanded un- consciously using Radj Rulu's question.
 Tt means that we have recovered for you your stolen property" said Mona, stepping for ward, and extending the bank-notes sine had just received. "The person who robbed your safe is
  helpless accomplice while she was in hypnotic trance, and forced to obey, his orders"
 "It is lie !" screamed the Hindoo.
 "Is it?" The question asked by Mary, who swiftly opened the door, and stepped into the room just as Rodney Grant appeared in his real character. Mary silently handed the com bination of his safe to Howard Wallace. The banker stared at it in daze. q Radj Rulu force your wife to give this to him." explained the girl, land later saw him slip 1t into the pocket of of your maids :" She ,-rad hoy had an6n call 1ed fn ctO fnIra n the hall. It the plain-clothes detective, who had been entrusted with the investigation of the Wallace robbery.
 "We have two prisoners for you, officer" said Carson, pleasantly, dragging Radj Rulu's servant from his place of concealment in the closet.
 Twenty minutes later, Mrs. Wallace in the apartment of Mary and Mona, deposited the bundle of bank-notes the girls library table.
 My husband and I agree that this is the least do for you!
 "But this is too muchw protested Mona
 Mrs. Wallace smiled, "Is it? Unless I am greatly mistaken, you will need it shortly Judg- ing from the glances of Messrs Carson and Grant. double wedding is due to occur before long! Am I wrong?"
 The girls blushed-and did not refuse the generous reward. After all. it could come in handy!
 When Mrs. Wallace had gone, Mona happily perched herself the arm of Mary's chair and took her companions hand.
 "Theres whole lot in what Mrs. Wallace said, Mary, do you realize that?" she unused;
 Mary, whose thoughts apparently had been following the channel, nodded comprs hendingly.
 q haven't asked you much about MT. Grant" Mona went on largely because you have avoided questioning me about Casper But we've never had any secrets from each other. Tell me, has he asked you" She broke of suddenly, as if she hesitated to speak the worls.
 Mary blushed and nodded. 'I promised Rod ney that this would be last adventure. I've been telling him that could not consider be- coming his wife until the mission which you and I set out to accomplish had been performed"
 That's practically what told Casper, said Mona, blushing. And he made mo promise to give him my answer tonight, with more evasions."
 Mary jumped up and clasped Mona in her arms And what are you going to tell him?" sheiexplained.
 Mona hung her head. "The same thing you are going to tell Mir. Grant,, she smiled. Surely we have accomplished what set out to do. The last note goes into my diary right away. Of course" she went on, i've won't decline to help any needy person who calls upon us, but having helped SO many that the law could not aid it's high time we thought of shaping our own hap piness"
 "You're right" murmured Mary. And no one can blame for buying trousseaus with this latest reward. They cost 60 confounded much nowadays."
 THE END.