The Elbert County tribune., 1916-09-08
right. Now, If yer ready e come

plstOi- A look OF surprised cOnSterua-
tion came into Red Eagan's face-for
a moment he swayed unsteadily on
his feet-then slowly crumpled into
a heap of inanimate clay. Into the
startled vision of his companion came
a black limousine furiously racing
along the highway. the evil face of
Legar plainly discernible as he leaned
far out from the swaying vehicle,
emptying his automatic in their direc-
ton. There was not a moment to
lose. Snatching the crimson-stained
paper from under the limp body of
the slain gunman. the woman ran
swiftly toward the old barn, reaching
that sanctuary just as Legar and his
confederates swarmed out of the
limousine in hot pursuit Through the
sagging portals and up the rickety
stairs she darted. the wolfish pack
close at her heels. For brief instant
she surveyed her surroundings. Be
hind the heavy oaken door of the har-
ness-room she knew Margery and her
father had taken refuge in accordance
with her instructions. and she must in
no way jeopardize their safety.
Close by a broken window. over
looking the depths of the rocky
gorge, stood a shabby old-fashioned
trunk. It took but a moment for the
harried fugitive to scramble into that
ancient receptacle. but even as she
lowered the cover Legar and his
henchmen stormed up the narrow
stairs. The quick eye of the master
crook caught the movement of that
closing trunk cover. Grinning with
unholy exultation, he turned to his
unsavory crew of followers.
Take that trunk and throw 1t out
the window" snarled Legar. We've
Gagged our bird all right. and when
she hits those rocks she won't feel
like meddling with my business for
some time to come"
AS he led his murderous band out
of the old building toward the alb
ruptly sloping wall of the ravine. the
door of the harness room slowly
opened and Enoch Golden stepped out,
closely followed by his horror-stricken
daughter.
II could see plainly through that
crack in the door, murmured the
white-faced girl, the poor woman
tried to hide in trunk and Legar
had his men drop her from the win
dow"
The distressed look in her eyes
changed to one of sudden bewilder-
ment From out of the cobwebbed
mouth of grain chute, over which
the trunk had been resting, appeared
the head and shoulders of the veiled
stranger. AS she regained her foot
ing on the rough boarded floor she
drew from the inside of her black
gown crumpled and blood-stained
paper. This she quietly handed to the
startled girl.
Here is the proof promised you,"
were her low-toned words.
but how did you escape from the
trunk?" interrogated the still bewild-
cred Margery. who are you? And
why did you risk your life to clear
the name of the Laughing Mask?"
The woman replied calmly.
Half the bottom of the trunk was
broken away and it was easy for me
to slide through the opening into that
grain chute. AS to who | am, the
time has come when l am ready to
reveal my identity" The woman of
mystery. with a quick movement, tore
off her heavy veil and with it wig
of dark hair. disclosing a clean-cut
and boyishly handsome face. An in
credulous gasp of surprise burst
from Margery's lips-"Davyi" she
shrilled joyfully. "oh, Davy. you have
come back to us from the dead"
Yes. l have come back to you,"
answered the resurrected Manley,
soon l will tell you the whole story.
but now unless we are to fall into
the clutches OF Legar and his band
of cutthroats we must leave this
building at once"
A little later Manley sat on the
white-pillared veranda relating his
strange story to a group of listeners.
81 remember a terrible explosion"
he said refectively. then the mau-
soleum came tumbling down about
my ears like house of cards. After
that everything seemed to get dark,
| and about a week ago / came to my
senses lying on cot in a hospital.
| You must have mistaken some other
poor beggar for me. and. while every
one thought 1 was dead. it seemed
| like a good chance to catch Legar off
| his guard. / got the paper l wanted.
| but / guess I've stirred up q hornets
nest"
One of the listeners was a bull
necked individual with a reddish
brown complexion, wearing the uni
form of a captain of police. He now
shuffled his feet uneasily.
That's all very interestin', young
man." he broke in with an air of i'm