The Washington herald., 1916-12-14
The Crimson Stain Mystery
Copyright. 1915. ,, Consolidated Film oorpousoa
Noveii.ed by ALBERT PAYsoN rERHUNE.
From the Consolidated Motion Picture Triumph.

ceAciy OuI VI SiBuI OF tne mousse Par
rish came to halt. Without a word
he unlocked the handouts, took them
from his captives' wrists, pocketeG
the jingling bracelets, and, with a
grunt, walked away, leaving the four
prisoners free to go whittier they
chose.
Florence Montrose ran UP the broad
staircase and to the laboratory. She
found her father standing before a
mirror, shakily readjusting his rum
pied collar and tie.
Daddy" she exclaimed, In quick
anxiety. Did they hurt you terri
bly,? Are you feeling any better?"
"oh, I'm all right again." he an
swered. forcing himself to speak light
ly. Thanks to you. You got here
before they could do more than man
handle me bit. Now that I've got
my breath back
Tell mel" she begged. "who are
those awful people? Why should
they have tried to kill you? How had
you offended them? Oh, there's a
mystery Of some sort. feel there is.
Clear 1t up for me, Daddy!"
Il can't explain now, dear" said DR..
Montrose. Il have no right to. And
you wouldn't understand. II I've
done wrong, remember always that I
am risking my life to repair 1t. That
is all I have a right to say, now.
Think as kindly Of me as you can.
And, II you love me. don't ask me
anything more about what has Just
happened"
AS Layton Parrish chanced to pass
Clayton's studio on his way down.
town, he saw Vanya Tosca enter the
building, Just In front Of him, for her
thrice-a-week pose for the '.Deliah"
picture. The detective felt q stir at
his heart, as he always did at sight
Of the model.
For weeks, he had been unable to
get her allurfng beauty out of his
mind. Acting on quick impulse, he
followed her into the building and up-
stairs to Clayton's studio.
He felt little twinge Of jealousy to
see Vanya take a key from her pocket
and unlock and open the studio door.
Then he reflected that she was merely
Bob's model. And the twtnge passed.
He stepped into the studio without
knocking. Clayton had not yet ar
rived. Vanya stood In the middle
Of the room, drawing OF her long
suede gloves
At sight Of Parrish she seemed
slightly surprised. But, recovering
herself. she came smiling toward him.
30 lovely did she look, with the sun
shine making q halo Of golden ilIu-
mination around her, that the detso-
tive for an instant lost his wonted
seif-controL
With wordless exclamation, he
caught Vanya to his breast How she
might have taken this whfriwind
form Of courtship he had no chance of
discovering. For. at that moment,
the outer door swung open and Bob
Clayton walked into the studio.
Bob stopped at the threshold.
aghast at what he saw. vanya,
catching sight Of him over Parrish's
shoulder. at once pulled free from the
detectfve's embrace and moved un-
certainly toward the artist.
She timidly laid one ungioved hand
on Clayton's sleeve, but Bob shook or
the white fingers a. Il their touch
burned him.
''Go, pleassi:. he said, steadyfnR his
voice by a visible effort and pointing
to the still open door. vanya glanced
ooubtfully from the speaker to Par.
r1sh. The detective grinned.
Come along, dear" he said, lead
Ing the way to the door, I'VE don't
seem very popular here"
For q fuI minute after they left Bob
Clayton stared In mute despair at the
closed door. Then, with q SIGH that
was almost groan, he sank down ON
a divan and covered fds face with his
hands.
He had loved the worthless woman.
And, until now, he had never BEEN
able wholly to realize her true char
acter. It was q bitter awakening
for the Infatuated man.
presently he got up and moved to
the window, unconsciously seeking a
last look at the woman who had lust
wrecked his Illusions.
His glance swept the street below.
He saw nothing Of vanya. But his
eyes fell ON q man who was walk
ing rapidly along the opposite side
OF the street And, even at that dis
tance. he recognized the pedestrian as
Pierre La Rue.
Glad to have some occupation-bei It
ever so perilous-to take his mind Off
his grief, Clayton matched M his
hat and ran down the stairs. two
steps at time, to the street.
La Rue was just rounding the next
corner as Bob emerged upon the side
walk. The artist gave chase, follow.
ing swiftly but cautiously.
After awhile, a. he trailed his man.
Bob realized, from the direction
Pierre was taking, that the Crimson
Stain chief was evidently planning a.
visit to the Montrose house.
Clayton q moment later followed
him indoors and up along the pas
sage leading to the panel. He saw
the panel opened, just ahead of him,
and saw La Rue pass through into
the room beyond.
Cautiously, Bob stepped into the
laboratory. As he did 90 he felt him
self seized by two hands as muscular
as goriIla's, that dug deep into his
throat
Clayton tried to tear himself free
and to grapple with the man who had
lured him thither and then had SO
easily trapped him. But as his eyes
met La Rue's he felt his strength
ooze away.
Long and silently La Rue held the
Others fascinated gaze. as a serpent
Is said TO hold q birds. Then Pierre
loosed his grasp on the hypnotized