The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-06-04
CHAPTER xXXvI.
A Trap for the Master.

| - r, ALDEN lost not q minute In
racing for Mona's home. Inc
girl told him little over the
telephone. but he guessed
much.
| When he was led to her bed room. he
walked about with half-ciosed eyes and
tightly compressed looks. he studied
ined the little handle OF the gas Jet
with a reading glass. There were APP
parentiy no tell-tale finger prints. Mrs.
Mason and Mona waited silently as he
continued his investigation Of the door
jamb, the threshold and even the win
At last he opened the door OF her
wardrobe closet. There was the red
glow OF the incandescent bulb.
why, it's on fire"' exclaimed Mona.
stepping forward excitedly.
No. It's not" asserted the physician.
whose hand had shot toward the cleo
trio light bulb. 1T is worse than fire!,'
I socket and carried it to the window.
closet, Miss Monar' he aueried
' no i was white. I never saw that
before"
"Um-ahr and the doctor examined
! the object carefully. This was made
/ in France. I have only seen one like 1t
| before. II gives more crimson rays than
any other light. ! wonder how 1t came
IT certainly don't know" and Mona
regarded him with helpless bewilder-
| ment "It was a white light this MORN
/; ing when ! took out the gown l wore.
Alden studied the tiny filaments OF
"You know. Miss Mason. the peculiar
thing about this lamp Is that red light
rays are conducive to psychic work.
Here Is q little stimulant for black
magic. There was no way to enter your
home at this time of day. except
through the unseen. Here has been some
OF which we know NOM
ing. But have the antidote FOR the
red rays!"
"What Is that. doctor7''
'JJltra violet! And with your perHns-
sion / will set No a little trap. for these
WORTHLESS which will be as scientific as
their own methods" declared the ply
stefan. with the first suggestion OF
amusement in his ewes.
"How do you mean. doctory and Mrs.
Mason shook her head in discourage
ment. Things have been steadily going
from bad TO worse-each day OF TINS
miserable business brings additionai
danger to Mona. not to mention my
self" S,,
aroused: but Alden had CONQUERED these
objections before. He was too near sue
cess now to give In weakly. A.,
lust see how this turns out. MIS-.
Mason!" he pleaded, You saw ,a how
I wish they would try the little gas ar
rangement again. This time we VIII De
prepared for them"
"You don't mean you want my daugn-
ter to run this risk OF asphyxiatioh
aRain7"
He had started toward the lower door:
with Miss Mona's permission ! VIII
telephone to my assistants to bring my
apparatus :, y! over here at once Can l nave
The girl smiled bravely, and nodded.
despite her mothers remonstrance.
Mother. dear. run right into the
music room and have some tea served
for the doctor and me and your dear.
GUS counter-objection,
Mrs. Mason walked away apprehen-
mo good will come Of all these curl
Gus machines"' she muttered to WIFE,
who tacitly agreed with her.
Now" said DIR. Payson Alden. i
want you to tell a white. fb II Arthur
Varney calls up. have left orders for
my machines to come-so. 1t Is better TO
let him think that you have gone out
and your mother are both Ill, and Will
retire early. We do not want any out
side advice on this matter.
You do not trust Arthur, do you, Doc
tor?' -.
II trust only you and myself, Mona"
was the answer. Let US not bring any
one else into the matter. There has
been treachery somewhere about your
home already; am unable to say exact
'ly where. II Varney makes any In
quiries Just keep him wondering to-
night.
As he spoke the telephone tinkled and
Mona ran to the instrument.
Yes. Arthur. II Is Lob, ! feel dread
fully tired. but not really Ill. What Is
that: Oh. 1t is impossible. Mother Is
not herself at all tonight and she has
already retired. No. really couldn't
see you at all until tomorrow. I'm going
to BE- myself within an hour. Yes
Alden smiled as she finished.
There, now, feel that we can work
out our plans without sarcastic COM
ments."
There was a crunshing on the gravel
within the half hour as motor drew
10 before the door. Alden hurried TO
What can that be?" asked Mrs.
Mason. A..
my lamps. Right this way. Jones'"
directed the physician. Two workmen
carried out some notwithstanding brass
tubes, set In heavy metal frames from
which dangled coiled cables which re-
sembles black garden hose.
Under his guidance they carried them
up the stairs to Mona's room There the
two assistants. expert electricians busied
themselves with the connections OF the
tubular lamps. attaching them to the
electric lights at the side of the bed
room
Mrs Maynard watched these prepa-
rations with growing disapproval.
"a am half mind to telephone to
Arthur Varney and ask his advice about
this, Mona" she declared.
you will do nothing OF the sort" was
The girls determined answer. "Dr. AL
den Is working on something TO end
oil this business tonight"
"Thats Il exactly |" and the physician