The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27

''Why was / sent here?" she de-
n1anded, as Casavanti, white-faced.
stepped closer to her.
For this" he replied, as with u
sudden movement his arms went out
and encompassed her shrinking body.
She fought and struggled in that
communicating embrace, but her
strength was not equal to her cap
tors. Casavanti, bending her body
close to his. cupped his impassioned
lips over her parted lips. 1t was
several seconds before he lifted his
head.
Before he did so, however, the closet
door on his right opened and figure
stepped noiselessly out into the ROOM
II was the figure of man who woTo
O laughing mask. In his hand ne
carried revolver. And this revolver
YVES leveled neatly at the cadets
temple as Casavanti raised his hetsds
his jaw dropping with sheer wonder.
lone word, you hound, and it's
your last" said the quiet toned voice
behind the mask. But the revolver
remained pointing at CasavantIs
head as the stranger took the giris
hand and backed slowly toward the
hall door. lie CROPPED for the door
handle, seveled mis- weapon and still
watched lasavanu. But the door, no
discovered, was locked. Perplexed.
for one short second he turned and
looked for the key. But in that IN
slant the tense-limhed Casavanti. be-
holding the eevQIyer barrel waver
from it's target, saw his chance and
leaped for his enemy.
The force OF the impact sent the
mysterious intruder staggering
against the wall and the revolver IT.
self Gathering across the floor. The
girl screamed in terror as the two
,ontending figures fought and writhed
about the room. Hurryine steps and
voices were already sounding from
outside the locked door and Casa-
vantt, knowing the slinnsss Of Ais
chances. was battling like wildcat.
But the man in the mask. with an odd
and quite unexpected movement or
the body. brought into play the
familiar Huiitsu trick of catapultfns
an adversary over his own shoulder.
depending on the force Of the fail
alone for any final result. And the
fall In this case was not a gentle one
y y r
Quick" he gasped to the girl, foi
the enemy was already pounding and
battering the locked door. Il came
In that way, so you can go out by II
Cross the roof to the next house. go
q down TO the street door and ] will
meet you there! But hurry! What
ever you do, hurry!"
Then he swung shut the closet door
and locked 1t, pocketing the key as
he darted across the room. Seeing
the hall door quivering from the pres
sure from without, he stood to one
side. close In beside the frame, adrolt-
iy turned the key, and let the door ny
open. That sudden release sent Casa
vanti's retainers sprawling and tuEn-
bling in through the door. The niIn.i
ble-footed man in the mask at the
same moment slipped out behind
them. He dove for the stair. splinter
ing the woodwork of the street door
as he unlocked 1t. Yet he took time
TO relock that door from the outside
for close beside the curb. he saw,
stood his waiting limousine.
A moment later he had crossed ID
the next house front and thrown 1pes
the street door.
That young woman stared at him
with wondering eyes.
who are your" she demanded
I'm only hammer" was tho sud
denly sobered reply. THE Hamucs
Of God"
ITO be- continued aest Sunday