Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-11-03

said with q sheer. But q troubled looh
crept into his race as he stood study
ing the message and the envelope In
which that message had come. Then
he laughed. But it was laugh with
out mirth. "Palidori?" he muttered
why should know anything about
a man named PalidOri?"
Then we'll strike before the Ham
mer does!" he announced. with sud
den determination. And with a ges-
ture of Impotence he commanded the
Owl to take him to the girl, the hid.
den girl on whom still hinged his
dreams of vengeance. "McTigue." he
called back as he went. get Tatano
and the taxi and be ready"
Yet he showed no exultation as he
followed the hobbling Owl along a
darkened passageway and up fight
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 locket
which she had just tied about her
neck fall from her trembling fingers.
Don't cover that way!" 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 world"
You're going to set me free?"
gasped the incredulous girl.
Free as a birdi" announced the
ironic Legar. And with as fine feath-
ers as any bird that ever flew"
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 Casavanti.
Casavanti is always kind to women.
amazingly kind"
He stood. ferret-eyed and impressive,
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 a 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 a 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 it's 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 met"
NO." was her answer.
Then come here" he commanded.
But 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 l sent here?" she de-
as Casavanti. white faced.
stepped closer to her.
For this" he replied, as with q
sudden movement his arms went out |
and encompassed her shrinking body. |
She fought and struggled in that con-
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 a figure |
stepped noiselessly out into the room.
It was the figure of q man who wore
a laughing mask.
"One word. you hound. and it's your
last!" said the Quiettoned voice be-
hind the mask. But the revolver re.
NAMED pointing at Casavanti's head
IS the stranger took the girls hand
and backed slowly towards the hall
ioor. He CROPPED for the door handle.
eveled his weapon and still watched
Casavanti. But the door. he discov-
cred. was locked. Perplexed. for one
short second he turned and looked for
he key. But in that instant the tense
imbed Casavanti. beholding the re-
7olver barrel waver from its target,
law his chance and leaped for his
,nemy.
The force OF that impact sent the
Mysterious intruder staggering against