The Washington times., 1916-05-21


ed than ever to end the ac-
tivities OF the Black Order.
II must get the Authorities
on this case now, for individual work
will do no good" he told Hail. that
morning. You ean go TO tne or Eer
] intend to have the police raid IL as
soon as they can be stirred into dehn-
lite action"
his heart troubled by misgivings. Yet
he was faithful to his mission; there
was no fear in heart
The miraculous escape OF the physi.
clan from the clutches OF the devil
worshipers was the subject of more
than one whispered conference. Yet
at the command of the evil pontiff.
the master of ceremonies forbade any
rem. The master had already planned
a method in which to trap the un-
known traitor within their ranks.
craftily as his work had been con-
Hail reported to the leader OF cere-
monies. and with several other men,
hers was sent out upon certain mis-
sions to remote parts OF the city. Ac-
cordingly, II was not until some time
later that he knew of the secret de-
velopments
Payson Alden, after studying a plan
OF action from every angle. at last
interview with the captain. At first
his story was secuted.
Sure, guv'nor. you're crazy! There
Amt nothing like that going on In
the edge of the city. And that old
house you tell about hasn't been &C.
cupied for twenty years"
You're mistaken. officer" insisted
Alden. Just look at these bruises on
my. arms. I'm still stiff from the fight
] had with them. II you will send
some men with me. I'll prove to you
how possible II is"
The officer grudgingiy summoned
two plain clothes men. who accom-
panied Alden toward the deserted
farm. stretch of woodland had to
be passed before they came to the
Alden and his companions failed to
observe two skulking figures peering
at them from the shelter of some
evergreens. One of the men waved
ing back toward q small culvert. e..
The signal was repeated by another
watcher: 20 that his action was OBJ
served by man peering from be-
hind a stone wall through binoculars,
This man disappeared abruptly.
AS they prowled about through the
thicket Alden finally located the hol-
low-trunked tree through which he
had gained entry TO the subterranean
chambers of the order
"Thtrc. officers" declared the doctor
You see the marks where ] was drag
ged out This leads directly u the
meeting rooms"
The detectives studied the place care
fully. One Of them cautiously entered
ard sent the ray of pocket light into
Yes. there arc steps. This is sire
lead" said he "Jim, YOU 40 back and
tell the chief that we've got the place.
don't 20 to sleep, either, for these
birds Will begin to ~ SOUTH
The other man hurried away.
Tho detective piled the phN sician with
lions of the inner Workings of the or
der to the assertion that the men had
tried tn kill him for some unknown rca-
son. lie volunteered nothing about the
connection OF Myra Maynard with the
plot.
It was fully half an hour before the
other detective returned with the cap
tain and an automobile patrol wagon
filled With uniformed reserves. Tho cap
tain himself ordered them to surround
the old building.
"When ! blow tho whistle, close in
from all sides and I'll watch this get
away here mysclf!' he cried.
The bluccoats hurried to obey. With a
drawn revolver the officer waited at
the old tree.
Without ANY preliminary warning and
tree hole. n terrific EXPULSION shook the
ground beneath their feet.
The blast came from the interior of
the subterranean s.airwa" itN force SO
terrific that tho police CAPTAIN AMI the
doctor were both knocked to the ground
There was another conc,s sion. and as
the two startled mel scrambled up.
they were astounded to observe a con.
tinual line of heaving earth as foot
after foot of the tunnel was blown up.
Come! Wen get to the center! was
Alder's call to the caLtain as he ran
uns.eadily toward the old stone house.
laNA Iva 1NE la
others were standing back from the
structure helplessly Tuning I'm rage
The roof had been blown Off. the flames
were pouring from the ramshackle
windows.
A final explosion sent the remnants
az the structure to the ground, M the
flaming embers showered about them
and drove them into a discOnsolate ring
they they could t f md nothing left Of tn,
secret meeting place. The dynamite ar
rangements of the master had beer
perfect; :.
here" said the captain. after his mer
had vainly ransacked the entire prop
erty. Not Il soul was In sight. and TIT
pursuit was failure. Were COINS
back to the station mouse, and You'C
better give up. Keep in touch with me
II anything turns up or YOU need pro
lection. l didn't believe Won at first
r and even now | don't get the Idea o.
this gang. But' III De wlne awake
when can help Nou.'
The doctor shook hands with him, an,
mo. / don't need any protection. I'v
got my revolver. and can look afte
myself In the Open" he said. But II
Just look around here bit more.
may find some clues that lead else
where. Good-by.
The policemen and detectives disap
pcared
Alden sat down on the remnant of Al
old stone bench TO ponder over tn
: mystery.
ru pTRQ YYIH