The Washington herald., 1916-06-25

TO explain the whole game TO Miss Gordon sno
let her for herself Just what kind of a
scoundrel you really are"
She strode up the desk and seized the tele-
phone. Herman caught her arm plesdingly.
you are hasty!" he protested Think what
you doing! Think Of the share you are going
to have for yourself from that ten thousand,
which is just as good ss in our hands nowT
II don't want the money! am not going 10
let you put IL over me, and take up with that
little hussyl" stormed Mary. I'VE are wasting
time talking! Besides, what assurance have
got that you wouldn't trick out Of the money
just as you have been playing with before?"
II give you my word :" said Herman eagerly
Mary shook her head There is only one
thing will do! I going 70 get out Of the
whole matter tonight! II you want 20 pay me
five thousand dollars for my share, will let the
girl CO. and keep still Otherwise shall have the
satisfaction of telling her the facts"
Herman drew back, shaking his head, and
Mary calmly gave the number Of their fat 70 the
exchange operator. It was enough. Herman
drew out a check-book, and sullenly wrote out
order for five thousand dollars. Mary hung
back the receiver, and Herman breathed easily
more.
81 will wait here" she said while you hsr.
this cashed. l prefer the money" Herman sui
lenly departed.
Back in the girls fat, Mona, at about this
same time, relating gleefully little audi
ence, consisting Of Carson, Grant and Winnie
Andrews, the details of Herrman's visit and
Mary's spectacular intrusion. Carson listened TO
her story with unusual gravity.
I Ou don seem as enthusiastic as ] expected
you 10 be .! the girl cried suddenly, looking up at
him.
Carson shook his head. u find that man,
Herman, is dangerous chsrscter-the kind that
would stop at nothing to himself il he
fancied himself in a tight corner. Besides" He
broke of suddenly, and stealing TO the hall door
of the fat suddenly threw it open. crouching
outside almost precipitated into the room,
and the next moment Carson had fastened his
hands in the others collar and ysnked him to his
feet. Mona repressed a cry she that the
intruder other than the so-cslled
theatrical manager" whom Herman had pre-
sented to them earlier in the day. There an
other cry Of recognition-this time from Winnie
Andrews.
You villain!" burst out the girl, impulsively,
springing toward him. He is the scoundrel who
posed a money-lender, and killed nv poor
father" she cried. Carson compressed his lips
grimly, and dragged the man across the room TO
inner bedroom, into which he thrust him, and
locked the door. Without a word he sprsng TO the
telephone and called the Office Of the Twentieth
Century Vocal Academy. A moment later Msry's
voice greeted him the wire and he
planning what had happened. In return, the girl
told briefly Of her interview with Herman and
its result.
IF You can hold the man for half an hour
she finished. 1t will give me time 70 finish. Do
you think YOU can do it?"
We can hold him all night" said Carson,
but he mistaken. When he opened the bed
door he sPrsng into the room with & cry
of dismay. The window was open, and as he
reached it he just in time TO the prisoner
leap from the fire escape 10 the ground, and dis
appear into the darkness.
Carson darted back 70 the telephone and
again called the number of the Vocal Academy,
but there was no answer. Frsnticaly he i'm
Portuned the central exchange TO find what was
wrong.
In the meantime. Mary. awaiting the Profess
sor's return, in Herrman's private Office,
gagged in OF the most exciting experiences Of
her life. 1t was not due TO defective connection
that Carsons second call failed of answer, for
the girl heard the bell and had even taken the
receiver from the hook to reply when she
held rigid with terror The door had burst open,
and the figure Of Herrman's accomPlice. the
pseudo theatrical manager" dsrted toward her
She dropped the receiver and backing
away from the desk, when her glance fell
open drawer, in which a revolver. Desper-
atelv she snatched il, and leveled il toward the
advancing man. just his arms closed hendishly
about her. She felt herself swaying, and then her
fingers pressed the trigger Of the weapon, and
she sank to the floor.
1t was this shot, echoing DULY over the open
wire which greeted Casper Carson, back in the
fat he tried in vain 10 tablish response
from Herrmsn's Office. With groan he dashed
toward the door, calling 10 the others TO follow
him.
In the Office of Herman Mary Burnett lay
mOtionless the floor, her white face upturned
TO the light The man, bending over her sprsng
back with a gasp of mortal terror In his eyes
was the look Of a hunted animal at the thought
that the woman at his feet might be dead Crush
ing his hat down his head, he darted out of
the door, leaving the motionless girl behind him
As the door banged shut, Mary raised herself
dzzly on elbow, and surveyed her surround
ings. She had not been shot-but had collapsed
under the nervous shock of the situation. Now
she caught hold of the desk, and managed 20
scramble uncertainty TO her feet the door
opened again, and Professor Herman walked in
For second the girl thought that he, too, had
learned Of the trap, but she was mistaken. With
a snarl, Herman tossed q bundle Of bsnknotes
onto the desk.
Mary tucked them into her handbag and on
sudden thought drew pad Of paper toward
her and scribbled receipt. The man took it with
sneer. Before he could decipher it's contents,
she walked to the door, and pressed the elevator
button. Two minutes later she the street
and in the arms of Mona who was the frst of
Casper Carson's rescue party 10 spring from the
taXi-cab that had paused outside the building.
Mona dsengaged herself from the others en-
brace, and, reaching into her handbag, extended
the bundle of bank-notes 70 Winnie Andrews
Il think this money is righteously yours,
dearw
Upstairs in his Office, Professor Herman had
just finished reading the following receipt:
Thanks for the return of the first five thou
sand dollars you swindled Miss Winnie Andrews