The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24

with the startled shouts Of the off,
GERS came the rapid explosions from
motorcycle, which now darted away
with it's masked rider bending low
over the handle bars.
With quick crash OF gears the
automobile started In hot pursuit,
picking up the scattered detectives
who, leaping upon the running board.
chung to the swaying machine, wait
ing a chance to use their revolvers.
The Laughing Mask suddenly veered
into a crossroad as though trying 10
shake off his pursuers before pro-
ceeding to his hiding place. He now
gained rapidly on the heavy touring
car which was laboring on behind
him through the deeply rutted road.
When he had established a fairly
wide margin of safety he slowed
down the motorcycle and, leaping
from the saddle. ran with quick
strides over the fields toward Seven
Oaks Hill, looming across the valley
A few moments later the stalwart
police captain and his two men came
pounding over the same course, but
at q somewhat slower and heavier
gait Far down in those buried cham
bers under the hill, for which those
striving figures were headed, wolf
ish faced man desperately clawed at
the pile Of rock and debris choking
the tunnel.
Suddenly with an eel-like movement
he wriggled through the narrow pas
sage he had effected, and staggered
like drunken man toward the lad
der, his scar-ravaged face livid with
dread apprehension. Round by round
he slowly assembled. Then, as he
stepped off on the platform, the secret
panel dropped downward of its own
accord
He made his way through the open
ing and stood confusedly blinking In
the bright food or sunlight. The next
moment a running figure bore down
upon the outlaw from the other side
of the rock. There was sudden i'm
pact of colliding bodies and Jules
Legar and the Laughing Mask stood
in dazed uncertainty, staring into
each others eyes.
BY warily evading the menace Of
that terrible claw of iron, the masked
wrestler, with a sudden trick of Jap
anese origin, sent his heavier oppo-
nent topping over backward. Then,
before Legar could regain his balance.
the Laughing Mask slipped through
that still open passage into the
bowlder, the panel closing sharply
as he stepped on the platform. But
the nerve broken malefactor, bereft
of his followers, had no intention of
venturing again into that place Of
unspeakable horror. AS he stood
staring with sullen resentment at
the apparently solid bowlder. he
heard the pounding of rapid foot
steps. Wheeling about, he found
himself face to face with Captain
Bracket and the two detectives, who
had been hot on the trail of the
Laughing Mask.
Before Legar could draw his gun
those three heavy and resolute Off
GERS avalanched themselves upon him,
burying him under their combined
weight as he crashed to the ground
Still he fought on with the ferocity
of snarling wild cat until subdued
by repeated blows of a heavy ash
club.
To Margory Golden, still lying on
that narrow rocky ledge. expecting
every moment an attack from out
of the dark, the passing time had
seemed like a fearful eternity. She
had heard Black Tony creeping about
below her in an apparently futile
search for his fiashlight. Then fol-
lowed a long and oppressive period of
silence. Now again she heard the
soft padding of his hands against the
rocky flooring of the subterraneen
chamber.
Then came low cry of triunph
and a thin streak of light wayered
upon her. She saw the sinister. ieer-
ing face of the swarthy Italian as he
came steadily nearer. She shrank
back against the rough wall as a long.
tapering knife, clutched in sinewy fin
gers, came reaching toward her. 1t
seemed certain that nothing short of
miracle could save her. But even
as that knife was raised to strike. the
miracle happened.
The apparently solid wall behind
her suddenly gave way and Margory
felt herself quickly pulled through>an
opening by strong, tender arms. She
was vaguely conscious of being borne
up a ladder and presently a gentle
breeze famed her cheek. When the
fresh air had revived her and she be-
came accustomed to daylight she law
the Laughing Mask bending over her.
IT had feeling up to the very last
that you would save me-" she MUIR
INJURED gratefully.
'It was lucky knew about the old
ventilating shaft connecting all the
galleries in the mine," he modestly
replied; "it will be quite safe for you
to go home now. for happen to know
that Legar himself is captured and
his men have all met the final punish
ment they so richly deserved
But Margory fixed a pleading look
upon her masked savior.
Cant you see how I am tortured
by this terrible uncertainty" she
said in duplicating tones. IF you
really love me, you will tell me who
you are"
For moment the Laughing Mask
hesitated, then he slowly raised the
yellow visor which so long had pre-
served the secret of his identity.
Transf1xed with wonder. Margory
stood gazing upon the face of her
companion. A little cry broke from
her lips, a cry that might have signt-
fed either joy or sorrow.
(To be concluded next weelk)
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