The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-18

him the somewhat scornfui glance of
Margory Golden.
why have you led me to think
you were the brave Laughing Mask
all this timer" she demanded, with a
rising infection of anger.
For the second time that day the
youthful secretary hesitated in con-
fusion.
III you must know, Margory." he
replied, cropping for his words, ''it was
because l love you and / thought you
were learning to love him for his
bravery in your defense"
You were quite right in thinking
so,' answered the blazing-eyed girl:
Il do love him and could never love
anyone who could stoop to such de-
ception as you have"
They were interrupted in the midst
or this painful discussion by the re-
turn OF the crestfallen police captain
and Davy's much-relieved employer.
I'VE couldn't find the slightest
trace of that impudent masquerader,"
said the aged banker in response to
his secretary's questioning look, but
l don't care SO much now that you
are absolved from this ridiculous
charge" Then, turning to Captain
Bracket, he added with pardonable
sarcasm, Isn't it about time you re-
leased this desperate criminal?"
AS Davy stood rubbing his aching
wrists, from which the half-heartedly
Apologize officer had Just removed
the constraintng handouts, his eye
fell on that strip of paper Margory
had retrieved at such great hazard
and which now lay on the table for
gotten In the excitement of the mo-
ment. He picked it up and glanced
with puzzled eyes at it's cryptic in
scriptions, then his face suddenly
lightened.
mo wonder they put UP such a
fight for this paper" he cried ex-
citedly. "for it is the key to the hid
ing place of the Van Horn loot, which
Legar must have cached when we
had him on the run. 1t gives Wren
ney's Oak as starting place, and
here are the directions for pacing off
the distances to where the plate Is
concealed"
Captain Bracket, now rehabilitat-
ed in his customary dignity, reached
out an authoritative hand for the
paper and studied it intently for a
moment.
Anyone could see that" he an
swered slightingly, and we've got to
get out to Wrenney's Oak in a hurry
IL were goin' to beat the Iron Claw
and his pirates to that sack of loot"
AS the others trooped out of the
room in eager anticipation Of the ad-
venture. Davy followed on as a mat
ter of course. But at the threshold
Margory Golden stopped abruptly
and turned on her youthful admirer
Il would rather you didn't go with
us. after all that has happened" she
announced with chilling severity.
With his usual buoyant spirits de-
cidedly crushed, David Manley stood
on the broad veranda and watched
the little party embark in a racing
motorboat, which carried them
swiftly over the limpid waters, leav-
ing long trail of foam in its wake.
For a brief space Davy stared irres-
olutely out over the lake, then a look
OF sudden determination flashed into
his face, and few minutes later he
was at the helm of the speedy AR
row." Swimming over the surface OF
that lake as lightly az a swallow on
the wing, and following in the direc-
ton taken by the treasure hunters.
He landed a short distance below
the deserted craft of his employer
and made his way through the moss
carpeted woods toward Wrenneys
Oak as silently as an aboriginal.
Peering out of a tangled thfcket
was the deep-seared face of Jules
Legar. That face was as repellant In
Its beast-like ferocity as must have
been the hideously painted savages
who once roamed these forest glades
bent on murder and destruction. I'm
conscious of the presence Of this
lurking foe. the stalwart police cap
tain was solemnly pacing or certain
distances. guided by slip OF white
PAPER which he held in his hand.
Standing near by and completely
absorbed In these awkward maneu-