The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28

WHICH Strpu against ldTtHST wall
The astonished girl saw him swing
open the door and step inside the
clock Then she turned quickly about,
for the men from the Central Office
were already in the room, And she
had no desire to make their task
easier for them.
That man came into this room"
declared one Of the older men. chal-
longing the half-smling girl with an
indignant forefinger, Where is her"
How should 7 know" asked the
calm-eyed young woman.
You mean you don't want to
know"
The girl walked slowly toward the
window. But an officer. forestalling
her, reached that window first. And
10 his establishment he found II most
undeniably locked.
We'll. he's here, and we'll get him"
declared the man who seemed to he
the leader of the others. Then Mar
CORY Goiden's heart suddenly came
UP into her mouth. for she could see
that he was scurrying across the room
In the direction of the clock, She
could see his right hand go to his
pocket and whip out revolver as his
left hand threw open the little black
walnut door along the face OF the
clock. Then she breathed again, for
the clock was empty
But the man with the revolver had
dropped to his knees and was padding
interrorativeiy about the clock base.
II thought sol" he suddenly called
out. There's a spring trap here that
opens through the floor. Quick, some
of you men, get down to the base
ment!"
Margory Golden was even able to
smile again.
Wilson" she said. "be so good as
to show these gentlemen the way to
the basement"
And the right way" barked out
the man with the revolver. "Or I'll
see that you pay for it!'
Remember, Wilson. the right way"
repeated the cool-voiced girl as the
men went swarming out after the
OLD butler. And then be so good
as TO have Miss Betsy LeMarsh come
here"
So preoccupied was Betsy. however.
in putting distance between her and
the house which she had Just left
that she failed to observe the figure
simultaneously and quite as eagerly
emerging from a basement window.
Yet as she hurriedly rounded the
block, in eager quest of n taxicab,
this figure showed an unmistakable
interest in her movements. And when
she had finally hailed a taxicab and
climbed into it the stranger in a yell
low mask so cautiously shadowing
her made n signal to the driver of q
mysterious limousine which seemed
10 be casually engaged in following
his own movements.
Follow that taxicab," he COM
manded his driver as he ieaped into
the still moving car. And keep after
1t until the heavenly cows come
hOne!"
The man in the limousine sat tense
and silent. watching that flight for
mile after mile. Then, realizing that
it was taking them beyond the bounds
Of the city itself. he drew shut the
side blinds Of his car, reached under
the seat and took from its hiding place
japanned tin box remarkably similar
TO an actors makeup box.
Balancing this on his knees, he first
removed his mask of yellow cloth, ad
Justed small folding mirror to the
box lid. and busted himself with the
assortment Of pigments and cosmetics
and makeup putty therein contained.
He worked with the promptness and
precision OF n trained hand, one mo-
ment studying his face in the small
mirror and the next adjusting putty
and cosmetic to his skin.
The next moment the limousine
came to stop at the roadside.
THAT taxicab has just turned In at
the Belieaire Inn," the weiI-,rained
driver called back to his master.
80 / notice." said the Laughter
Mask as he stared up at the long
verandahed country hotel. skirted by
its wide drives bordered with box
hedges and flower beds. "And that's
the place, I'll wager, where Legar
himself Is trying to keep under
cover"
There's the woman herself, run
ing up the steps" announced the
driver:
80 I also observe. And under the
circumstances ] think II would be
best for you TO slip after her as
quietly and quickly as you can
Yes. sir"
Then come back to the car and
report to me the number of the room
she asks for. Find out that number,
whatever happens. For in that room,
] imagine. we're going to encounter
our old friend OF the Iron Claw"