The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-02

companion. who was waiting by the
automobile.
They're down there. all right"
Legar savagely exulted. In response
to the questioning look of Dutch
side of that cliff they are going to
get crushed like rats in a trap
Then we can croak that bunch
whenever you're ready. gov'nor," an
swered ths blond gunman, with the
red lust of murder in his eyes. II had
a look aroun', an the switch explod-
in the big blast is in that shanty
just up the way. I seen 1t when I
took peek in the winder. That dago
Waterman is sittin' right over it, but
I've got somethin' here that ought
10 put him TO sleep for a while"
He produced from one of his pock-
cts a heavy blackjack, and this eff
fective method of disposing of the
quarry guard meeting with Legar's
approval. the two conspirators moved
In the direction of the nearby shanty.
But even at that moment fate or
dained the happening of a certain In
cident which tended to give Legar's
proposed victims, crouching at the
foot Of that great wall of granite, a
barely possible chance for their lives.
And In that unexpected incident the
Laughing Mask took the leading part.
AS, completely exhausted from his
first burst of speed. he stumbled fall
teringiy along the dust-cheking read
toward wharton's Quarry. he had al
most relinquished hope of being in
time to warn the imperiled girl. whose
self-appointed protector he had BEEN
n = y
Then In his frenzied despair he had
heard the hoarse and repeated cough
ing of an automobile horn as the I'M
patient driver OF car rapidly ap-
preaching from behind signaled for
a clear road. But instead of heed
ing those raucous notes of warning
the Laughing Mask swung about and.
planting himself In the middle OF the
highway. resolutely faced the oncom-
ing automobile With a sudden grind
ing of brakes the surprised and
highly incensed driver of that car
brought 1t to a Earring stop within
a few scant feet of the determined
figure disputing its passage. As the
man at the steering wheel caught
sight of the yellow mask covering
the face of that figure he quickly
flshed under the seat and produced
heavy wrench.
You can't pull this holdup stuff
on me and get away with it," he
growled angrily.
I'm not holding you up" came the
quick answer, but I've got to get
to the stone quarry down the road
and get there in hurry. It's a mat
ter of life and DEATH"
II don't fall for that bunk" the
driver retorted sharply; get there
II you want to, but not in this car"
The Laughing Mask realized every
second was precious and that the
other obstinately believed him a high
way robber.
Perhaps this will help persuade
you to change your mind" he cried
as he drew a black automatic and
sprang upon the running board of the
automobile. Thrusting the muzzle of
the revolver against the startled man,
he raped out in tones that pre-
cluded further argument, Now drive
like the devil for Wharton's Quarry
or III empty this gun into you."
There was no disputing that insis-
tently prodding revolver, and the car
shot forward as the overawed driver
realized the desperate man in the
mask meant business. 1t would be
but a matter Of a few moments be-
fore that speeding. swaying car COW
cred the remaining distance. but even
IN that brief lapse Of time Jules Legar
might succeed in carrying out his
terrible plan Of revenge. For at that
instant the SCARED outlaw knocked
sharply on the sagging door of the
watchman's shanty with his iron
hook. while Dutch Frank slipped out
of eight behind one side Of the rough
ly boarded structure. There came
the sound Of shutting feet and then