The Washington herald., 1916-09-10

Ncduy' Sue "hiSptEcu ne IL pfOp-
ably follow me out here to beg me not
to be angry.
Tanner nodded, gripping a revolver club
wise by the barrel and tensing his muscles
for a spring.
But Clayton did not come out into
the hall. He started distressedly
after the departed model for an in
slant, then muttered:
IF l go after her she'll make a
scene in the hall just as Florence is
arriving. I'll drop her>a line tonight
instead"
He turned to his easel. The next
moment Vanya had run lightly back
into the room and had slipped be-
tween Clayton and the nearest win
dow so that. facing her, his back was
to the door.
I'm sorry" she pleaded contritely.
please. I'm sorry 1 was cross. It's
care so much-I-I-"
Her self-control gave way. She
broke into a Mt Of hysterical weep
ing. Her outflung arms clasped them
selves spasmodically around the as
ytonished Clayton's neck, holding him
moYeless by the straining intensity
OF their clinging grasp.
And before the dumfounded man
could speak or stir Tanner was upon
him.
Darling into the studio behind
Vanya, the Crimson Stain henchman
waited only until the girl had Sc
curely seized Clayton in her strong
willowy arms. Then. carefully aim
ing his blow, Tanner brought down
his revolver butt with all the trained
force OF his arm muscles upon the
artists left temple.
Clayton slumped to the polished
floor without word or cry. his senses
clean gone. and without having seen
or heard his assailant.
Before Clayton's inert body had
fairly struck the floor Tanner and
vanya were leaning above him deftly
binding and gagging the senseless
man. This achieved. they lifted the
body, bore It across to a divan. thrust
the divan forward a foot or two and
dropped Clayton into the space be-
tween the divan back and the wall.
We've no time to waste" said La Rue,
coming into the studio from the hall
The Montrose chauffeur didn't get my
message. He's coming down the block
now with Florence in the car a quarter
of an hour ahead of time. ! saw him
from the hall window"
What are we to do with herr" eX-
claimed Vanya in panic. "Stanleys not
here yet. We can't treat her as we've
treated Clayton. At least" she hesitated,
looking questionably at La Rue, Il sup
pose we can't"
No" he decreed with no hesitation at
all. Our strongest hold over Montrose
Is his daughter. But for her he'd turn
desperate, instead of giving 1t to US
He might even. kill himself. And then
where would we be without the drug?
There is a safer. easier way to take care
of her"
A quick. soft footstep sounded in the
hall outside. Tanner at a gesture from
Pierre slipped out into the hall, and with
the air OF a departing visitor strOlled
past Florence Montrose and on toward
the head Of the stairs. There he paused
and looked out OF the window. In the
street below stood Dr. Montrose's black
car. Drawing up to the curb behind II
was a gray roadster, from which Harold
Stanley was Just descending.
Vanya, in obedience to a word OF La
Rue's, gIded into Clayton's dressing
room. Florence. at the same moment,
tapped at the studio door.
Come in" called La Rue.
She entered. and taking a step or two
into the room, glanced around her. The
door was shut and locked as she dio
so. Standing with his back against 1t.
Pierre La Rue faced her, smiling slightly,
his arms folded.
At sight of him Florence gasped In
unbelieving horror. Again Jhe was look
ing into the eyes which for weeks had
haunted her in nightmares. the eyes
which had then been suffused by the
Crimson Stain.
Now as she looked she saw La Rue's
eyes gradually redden until they cleaned
like hot Goals.
II came to see Mr.. Clayton" she
forced herself to stammer. AS he is
not here. I won't wait"
Miss Montrose," he said suavely as.
after the first step, she paused irresolute
and trembling. you and have met
once before, I think, in your fathers
very beautiful old home at Riverside.
the misfortune toto"
ITO be murdered by you" she flashed
back, her dread of the man overcome
for the moment by a gust OF loathing.
II saw you with your fingers about his
throat-with your eyes as red as a rabio
beasts"
81 thought So" he replied: 81 was
almost certain OF IT. But there was
some slight doubt. You sec, all women
especially in moments OF fright-are
not so observant as you. There was a
chance you did not see my face long
enough that night to remember That
is why I waited today to see IT. yor
would know me. I saw you as you came
in just now. am sorry, but you leave
me no alternative"
"What-what do you mean" she
faltered. her throat sanded with terror,
her lips dry.
ct mean this Miss Montrose." ne re-
turned. speaking very slowly. almost
solemnly. You are the only person II,
he outer world who has looked into the
face OF the man they call The Crimson
Stain and lived. But 1t is not safe to
let you go free with such dangerous
knowledge. /"
She screamed aloud in stark horror as
he moved toward her.
Her scream penetrated the heavy outer
door and into the hall. 1t reached the
ears of Tanner, who crouched listening
at the keyhole. 1t reached Harold Stan
ley, who was hurrying along the hallway.
Stanley broke into a run as he recog-
nized Florence's voice, and as he ran
he called out reassuringly to her.
Out OF the hallway shadows as he ran
forward figure launched itself upon
him
Tanner, realizing that but for himself
Harold must presently hurst into the
room and confront both PSfre and Flor