East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-04

BhoulQ mis- zoe venture fofth.
The laboratory door swung open.
DR.. Montrose stood on the threshold.
He was yawning. His hair was
dlsheveled and his eyes were blink
ing sleepily.
"A burglar ran in here Just now
cried Florence as Stanley, without
replying, forced his way past the
stupihed doctor and into the labora-
tory.
The laboratory was empty. Harold
glowered around the shelf-lined walls
like hunting dog thrown off the
scent.
"A burglar?" repeated DR.. Mon
trose, in astonishment, his eyes stray
ing in furtive dread toward the Sc
cret panel at the far end Of the room.
Impossible. have been in here ever
since luncheon. I'm sure / should
have heard"
THAT window over on the corner is
OPEN" stammered the doctor. IF
anyone ran in here he undoubtedly
got out that way and dropped to the
cell roof below. He's gone too far by
now to be caught"
Harold leaned out Of the window.
No sign could he CLEAN Of the masked
fugitive. When Florence and Harold
at last quilted the laboratory DR..
Montrose shut the door behind them
and stood for a minute with dropping
bnad apd F.,.,.ox1vad f,,.o,v
An hour later vanya Tosca, in the
living room Of her apartment, was
entertaining no less notable visitor
than Pierre La Rue himself.
The Crimson Stain was glowing
luridly in Pierre's eyes.
He was in 'dlabolically bad humor
at the world in general, for his
henchmen's failure on the previous
night to steal the necklace. He was
the angrier-in his abnormal Grim
inal vanity-that Stanley should have
ventured to impersonate 30 illustri-
GUS a parsonage as himself.
He had been giving Vanya instruc-
tions for her conduct during the ap-
preaching visit to Clayton's studio;
and he had interspersed these with
fierce denunciations Of his followers
stupidity.
THE Montrose girl knows where
Stanley has the necklace hidden" he
said at last, as he rose to go. "And
she's coming to the studio this after
noon. Well find a way to make her
speak un and tell where We can find
the necklace"
With no word Of good-by, he swung
open the door and was gone
Vanya began to make ready for her
visit to the studio. Presently ring
ing Of the electric bell brought her
to the front door Of her nat. Robert
Clayton stepped in. Hiding her sur
prise at his visit, she welcomed him
pleasantly; and he followed her into
her living-room.
\ = +
'T came to ask If you would do ms
a great favor" returned Clayton
"Win you?"
II don't think there are many ia,
vors you could ask that would not
gladly grant," she answered softly
her hand resting in appealing pres
sure on his. What is it?'
81 want to patch up our differ
ences," said Robert, "and have com'
to ask you to pose for me again.
am so discouraged about my Delilah
picture. can't possibly finish 1t will
any other model. Won't you do It
1t means so much to nae"
why, of course I will" sh'
laughed. I'D do anything FOR you
TIL be at your studio at 8 this after
noon"
Without warning, she swayed for
ward, and would have fallen. il Clay
ton had not caught her. Almost in
instantly, she broke free from hi
supporting arm and stood back.
I'm so sorry!" she said, smiling Il
depreciation. IT'S silly Of me to kee
over like that. Wait a minute. In
going to take some aromatic spirits o
ammonia"
She left the room; presumably Il
quest of the medicine she had spokel
Of. Instead, she went swiftly into tn
next room, and there drew out iron
the flowing sleeve Of her blouse-th
revolver she had so deity abstracts
from Robert Clayton's hip pooke
during the brief instant she ha'
reeled against him.
Breaking" the revolver, she ex
tracted its six cartridges. Then, from
a box she took six BLANKS" and pu
them into the cylinders in place o
the bullets.
Returning to the living-room. sh
chatted for a minute or two longe
with Clayton. AS he turned TO go, sh
exclaimed:
Hold on, Mr.. Clayton. What il
: the world have you been leanin
against? There's a line Of whit
powder or motor dust across you
shoulders. Stand still"
Before he could guess her intent
she caught up a little silver-handle
: whiskbroom and vigorously brushe
his shoulders and back.
"Th0rel" she said, eluding his ef
forts to prevent her from doing hir
} this valet service Nov it's all gon'
Good-by"
} And Robert Clayton left the ia
! blissfully unaware that his pistol ha
/ been stolen, rendered harmless, an
nut back in his pocket again by HI
: fascinating hostess.
| Clayton went directly to Stanley
} home, where he found Harold await
ing him. There in pursuance Q
: the plan they had hit upon tina
: morning, Harold proceeded TO max
/ up the artist as nearly as posslbl
} to resemble Pierre La Rue. He him
| self was content with such disguise a
! a pair Of face-hiding goggles and
chauffeur livery afforded him.
{ Thence, descending to Harold
/ waiting motor car, the disguise
Clayton got into the tonneau. Han
old climbed to the front seat, settle
, himself at the steering wheel, an
r with q glance at mis- watch, starte
A. o... 4,,,,-o,d FSlot,4oV,tc studio