The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1916-04-04
THE IRON CLAW
SIXTH EPISODE
THE SPOTTED WARNING

more and more dependent on his i'm.
mediate associates he betrayed an oc-
casional tendency to focus his neb-
ulous resentment against that situa-
ton on the exasperatingly imperturb-
able figure Of David Manley.
Young man." he said, fixing his Sec
rotary with a steely eye, "I' came to
this decision twenty long years ago,
and nothing is going to change it. That
woman was sent from my home, and
she will never enter it again"
Manley, looking down at the note
still held in his hand, thought of the
troubled and tear-stained face of the
girl who had so recently chung to his
arm and asked him to plead her cause
And the memory of Margery Golden
brought fresh courage to him
But this woman who was once your
own wife is only asking for glimpse
of her own daughter again. Surely
that is asking little enough"
And I repeat that won't allow It,
I have saved my daughter from the
dangers that woman's wrong surround
ed her with. have saved her from"
Have you?" interrupted Manley, de-
liberately meeting the older mans
stare.
Any retort the older man was about
to utter remained unspoken, for at
that moment a soft-treading footman
entered the room and crossed to the
docb With a colvor If M II IN hic bopd
Manley. looking up, eyed that servant
resentfully, and with a touch of sus-
picion This intruder, he promptly
surmised, was a new figure in the
household retinue.
BE so good as to knock when you
enter this ROOM" was the young secre-
tary's sharp command.
Very good, SIR" answered the new
footman. scarcely raising his eyes.
"H'h," Golden scoffed, looking up
from the letter which he had just
opened. Since you're so ready to ask
favors, here's another friend to ask
them for. Here's the captain of the
circle you're so ready to champion!
But instead of asking favors you see,
he demands them!"
He tossed the folded sheet angrily
across the desk top. Manley took it
up and read it.
"Nour happiness hangs on one small
scrap of paper. That paper is the
portion of the Windward island chart
which you still hold. Unless this is
delivered to me, and delivered as
have already directed, the Spotted
Warning will come to your daughter
Margery. And the meaning of the
Spotted Warning she already under
stands. JULES lEGAR."
"And what do you intend to do?"
asked Manley, still staring down at
this strange note.
DO you suppose" retorted Golden,
with a slightly tremulous finger al
ready on the bell, that I'm going to
empty my safe to every blackleg who
handles about catch-word that be-
longs to little Italy?"
"But what earthly use is this piece
of chart to you?" asked the Younger
man.
It's use to me is not the point at
ISSUE" doggedly retorted the older
man.
But one point at issue is at least
the safety of your daughter" contend
ed Manley, remembering only too well
the events of the immediate past
And that, young man, is a RESPONSE
bility which still rests on my own
shoulders" was Golden's curt retort as
the new footman stepped into the
room in answer to his summons. Tell
Miss Margery to come here at once"
AS Margery quietly stepped into the
room Golden stared at her for a mo-
ment and then sank back into his
chair.
What is the Spotted Warning?" he
suddenly demanded.
The girl, with her troubled eyes bent
on the grim-lined face of her father,
did not speak at once.
1.-THE Spotted Warning?" she re-
peated, in a little more than a whis-
per.
Yes, what is that supposed to
mean?"
1T is a warning of DEATH" was the
girls quietly enunciated reply. Man.
ley could detect the tremor that sped
her body and it means that
you have been hearing from Legar
again."
But what does Legar mean by it,"
asked Manley. why should he use
such phrase?"
1T is a warning that comes to the
person who is about to die. 1t is
message of warning, spotted black. 1t
is the last word they send. And l have
heard them say it has never failed
never once!"
But the indomitable old fighter at
the desk was once more on his feet.
THAT Sicilian black-magic stuff
can't intimidate me-" he Numbered
out.
He turned to his daughter. Until
this Calabrian -brigand farce is played
This !?