Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-03-29


Legar saw fit 10 keep hidden so long
from the world.
II was plain TO see that Legar was
accepted as a leader by the half dozen
dips and gangsters and moll-buzzers
into whose midst he had so quietly
slipped.
Where's Legato?" he CURLY asked
as he glanced about the circle
That question answered itself. for
even as it was put Legato himself
slipped down into the dim light of the
Owls cellar.
What's this?" demanded Legar. as
the newcomer. without speaking.
handed the letter OF mystery TO his
chief.
That's what ! want to find out,
was Sims retort. "A gink in a Fit
avenue go-cart hands me this and
speeds off"
Legar tore open the envelope. His
terrety eyes narrowed as he unfolded
the sheet.
The Hammer OF God again." he
said with a sneer. But a troubled look
crept into his face as he stood study
ing the message and the envelope in
which that message had come. Then
he laughed. But ii was a laugh with
out mirth. "Palidori?" he muttered.
Why should | know anything about
a man named Palidori?"
Then Wen strike before the Ham
ner doesl" he announced, with sud
len determination. And with a ges-
lure of impatience he commanded the
Owl to take him to the girl. the hid
len girl on whom still hinged his
lreams Of vengeance. "McTigue." he
.-''-,' t,aoJ he went get Tatano
and the taxi and be ready"
Yet he showed no eXultation as he
followed the hobbling Owl along
darkened passageway and up flight
of wooden stairs leading to the floor
above.
Bent over table beside the barred
window he saw a girl, girl still in
her teens, a girl with a look of in
alienable innocence still in her mourn
full eyes. And Legar, as he crossed
to the table, saw that she was good
to gaze upon. Yet at the sight of him
she shrank back, letting the locket
which she had Just tied about her
neck fall from her trembling fingers.
Don't cover that way!" command
ed Legar Il haven't come to beat
you. guess the Owl gave you enough
of that"
Then why are you here?" the ques-
tioning eyes seemed to ask him.
1--WE come to tell you think you've
had about enough of this sort of thing
It's going to be stopped, and you're
going to see the world"
You're going to set me free?'
gasped the incredulous girl
Free as a bird" announced the
ironic Legar And with as fine feath-
ers as any bird that ever fiewi"
I'm to be free?" she repeated. still
dazed.
Sure! So get your things together.
and do it quick There's a taxi wait
ing downstairs. That taxi will carry
you straight to my friend Casavanti.
Casavanti is always kind to women.
amazingly kind"
He stood. ferret-eyed and impressive,
watching the girl as she feverishly
gathered together her meager belong
ings. He hurried her out of the room,
then along the passage and down the
narrow stairway and out to the street
where the taxi waited.
There McTigue sat ready for her.
That worthy remained silent, how.
ever, as a sob or two shook the girls
body and a light of exultation shone
from her timorous eyes. She too re
manned silent as they threaded their
way through the darkened streets and
drew UP before a brown-stone house
Up to the door of this house McTigue
led the still wondering young woman
There his finger played graphically CT
the electric push bell, sounding Casa
vantis pass signal, and a moment
later the door mysteriously opened anC
the girl found herself alone. Ever
before the door could close behind heI
a silent-running limousine swung vi
to the curb and hurrying figure
stepped from its runningboard. But
before that figure could mount the
steps and reach the house entrance
the heavy door had swung shut again
And the wide-eyed girl, following 9
footman in service uniform, mounted
the stairs to Casavanti's private
room.
Casavanti, as he looked UP and saw
her, let the cigarette fall from his thin
Tipped mouth.
1.-THE Doc was dead right" he SAID
under his breath. she's a flower, al
right"
Then, still watching the girl. hC
said aloud: Are you afraid of me?"
mo" was her answer.
Then come here" he commanded
But she still stood gazing wonder
ingly about the room. A suspicion
that all was not as 1t should be hat
crept over her.
why was l sent here?" she de
manded, as Casavanti. white faced
stepped closer to her.
For this" he replied. as with Z
sudden movement his arms went ou
and encompassed her shrinking body
She fought and struggled ir that cor
| Eliminating embrace. but her strength
was not equal to her captor's. Casa
vanti. bending her body close to ais
cunped his imprisoned lips over he