The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-09

"Im sorry to trouble YOU" said the
banker, "but l want you out here
again. have had another warning
note. 1t calls on me to make Senator
| tombstone withdraw his bill this morn
ing"
"You will not take any action, sup
poser inquired Manning.
'Not for million Chnks!" came the
bluff answer. "What can they do any.
howf"
IT cannot even guess, but I'll be with
you I'm two hours"
"Where are you going, ErrolT' de,
manded May when the receiver was
back on its hook.
"Out to Fern Brae again." said her
brother.
"Please, may Gomez?
"Not today. grille. This Is work, not
play, and l must make call down
town first. You can arrange with Mar.
garet to have you over later In the
week."
Manning intended to look In Mt
Kemp's Office before crossing to Long
Island. Steps must be taken at once
to protect the Bronsons. and the neces
sary arrangements required the ut
most secrecy and care, neither Of
which essentials was wholly attainable
by conversation over the wire. In
planning his own movements. however,
he left out of count the element of
feminine guile. When he reached Fern
Brac May was there to meet him!
He was surprised. of course, but his
lively sisters presence did not really
matter-indeed, 1t might be helpful,
since the two girls would be constant
ly together, thereby affording each 9th
er mutual assistance in the event of
any untoward occurrence
Moreover. matters had developed
during the night. Kemp reported that
Detective Ford, one Of his best and
most reliable men. was missing. Such
an incident was almost unprecedented.
because Ford knew how important It
was that he should keep In constant
touch with headquarters.
Selling an opportunity when the
girls were not In the library. the
banker showed Manning the working
Of an electrical arrangement which
had been devised for the protection OF
the house from burglars.
ave have pretty hefty Airedale
terrier, too" chlmed in Willard Bron-
son. Hes as sharp as n needle, and
never stranger can come near the
house without his knowing 1t and
barking"
Manning approved of the precau-
lions, but determined to remain on
guard himself He was sure that All
Singh's threats were not idle ones.
When the Menace made itself felt its
first blow would be struck at Fern
Brae.
And he was right. Nothing of the
least Importance happened during the
day. The weather was particularly
fine. so the young people passed the
whole Of their time I'm the garden, May
Manning affecting mischievous inter
est I'm the stolen talk between her
brother and Margaret. yet not neglect
ing her own opportunities when along
with Willard Bronson. The family had
gathered I'm the library after dinner
and were discussing some topic of the
day when the loud barking of the Aire
dale terrier caught their ears.
Manning was instantly on the alert
and went out. followed by the younger
Bronson. The girls, Of course. could
not understand such precipitate action
and strolled after the men, but did not
go farther than shrubbery which
shut off the lawn from passersby on
the highway.
There seemed to be no reason for the
dogs excitement, so the two young
men returned to the house. Manning
was about toceali the girls IN when
the electric alarm sounded. a hasty
examination showed that some one
must have climbed fence In the rear
of the premises, and the men made Off
once more. assured this time that their
search would not be In vain.
Too late Manning realized that a
trick might have been played upon
him. AS q matter OF fact, he ascer-
tanned later that Hong Kong Harry
had set the alarm In motion deliberate
ly. Hurrying back to the library. he
missed the girls.
Great heavens, Willard" he cried.
where are Margaret and May? They
were standing near that summer house
minute ago.
The banker heard those agonized
words and rushed out Needless of
possible consequences. the three men
examined the summer house and shrub
berry, but could find no trace OF either
Of the girls.
Hastily summoning the servants with
lanterns. they began further and
more exhaustive search. By chance
while passing the summer house Man.
ming looked In and to his utter amaze
ment saw his sister stretched motion
less on the floor. Yet. unless he were
bewitched. he was absolutely positive
that the place had been empty few
minutes earlier.
May Manning was not dead nor even
injured, but had been rendered in.
sensible by some Supplying agent
While the butler and maid were en-
deavoring to revive her fn the library
every inch Of ground around the house
xyoo ayop,fnaI ofrach fnr tr.a-.