The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-21
naent in his hand. And them

behind them and were in that twi-
light zone which is neither quite rural
nor quite urban. But Margory, the
moment she saw the red-wheeled
taxicab come to stop, commanded
her driver to draw In under the
shadow of dense row of cataipa
trees. There, from the running board
of her car. she beheld Legar step out
on the road, pay his chauffeur and
stand looking after the departing
taxicab until it disappeared from
sight. Then Re turned about. pushed
his way in through q tangle of shrub
berry, and left the lonely roadside as
empty as a desert trail.
Then the resolute browed young
woman turned to her chauffeur.
I'm going to follow that man. II
I fail to return here inside OF ten
minutes want you to get any help
YOU can and come after me-"
Margory held a couple OF bfils out
TO him. He took them In his hand.
examined them infinitely, widened his
eyes at their denomination, and then
tucked them stoically away In his
pocket.
You're all right, lady" ne pro-
claimed. And I'll be there. wit bells
on. as soon as you take the count"
But Margory was already stealing
along the shadowy roadside to the
spot where she had seen Legar creep
in through the bushes. She followed
as best she could. found herself face
to face with tunnel-opening that
showed itself dimly In the moonlight
and after a moments hesitation
stopped low and crept into this tun-
mel. feeling her way cautiously along
the smooth brtckwork Of it's walls.
She came to a turn, buttressed with
heavier masonry. and padded along
this wall until her cropping fingers
tame In contact with q light switch.
This, after q moments thought, she
turned on. The next moment num-
Der Of bulbs along the corridor roof
above her Powered into light.
Staring ahead Of her, she saw that
the corridor ended In nothing but
blank wall. But as she stared intent
ly at the wall she detected on one side
of it partially concealed electric
button. She moved toward this cau-
tiously. for she had learned Of old to
be wary Of approach to any OF Le-
gars Businesses. Then. as she adj
~vanced. she came to a sudden stop.
For she saw on the flagstone upon
which she was about to step a small
cross. There was also a minute crew
ice, unnoticeable In its companions,
about this quadrangle SO suspiciously
marked by its cross. So she stepped
carefully over the suspected area,
crept forward to the button and
touched 1t with tentative finger tip.
The next moment remarkable
thing happened. A section of the
heavy masonry shutting off the end
of the corridor at that touch swung
silently about on its axis, leaving an
aperture wide enough for human
body to pass through. The girl, hold
ing her breath. stepped through the
ponderous masonry. Then a sudden
pang Of fear took possession Of her,
for she noticed that the moment her
left hand left the revolving stone it
swung back into place. shutting off
all retreat. But she breathed again
when she found q wrought-iren ham
die set in the back Of the stone and
ny ttClodl CApCi tLdJ
1t could be swung into place without
difficulty by anyone inside the cham
Der where she stood.
+ 4 =
This chamber. she saw, was empty,
except for two mysterious strands Of
iron chain that ran from ceiling to
floor. close against tho wall. while
against the other stood a deal table
and a camp couch. across which lay q
couple Of very dirty blankets. But
along tho floor at the far end OF the
room her quick eye detected q thin
pencil Of light. She tiptoed quietly
forward until she stood close to the
door above this Illuminated crsvice.
Then she etooped lower. listening In.