Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1916-08-24

IN the act OF listening at keyhole
sprang to her feet and fed like
shadow down the long hallway.
why, that was one of our maids!'
cried the astonished girl.
1 And also secret agent of tn,
Iron Claws announced the man il
the mask.
But what are you going to do?'
demanded the puzzled girl.
"I'm going to show that I'm still
your friend, and at the same time
prove that this particular maid is your
enemy" called back the man in the
mask.
But that particular maid, realizing
apparently that events were shaping
themselves into some final issue, lost
no time In lettering along the hallway
of that shadowy house. She ran
straight to the heavy folding doors
which shut off the library wherein,
she knew, Enoch Golden was already
comforting with his circle of officers
from the detective bureau. Opening
these doors, she confronted those
startled officials
eff you're after that man you call
the Laughing Mask" she announced
in her shrill soprano, you'll find him
here in this house, at this very mo-
ment."
I'm this house?" echoed the astound-
ed old millionaire.
You'll find him." shrilled the white
faced maid. Sin Margery Golden's
room. And the sooner you get there
the better!"
towards the door.
But they did not pass through that
door. They came to a pause, for the
very material reason that man in
yellow mask, holding revolver in
his hand, confronted them from the
hallway.
Just moment, gentlemen" this
masked stranger suavely announced,
although the suavity of his voice was
somewhat discounted by the obviously
menacing position of his firearm.
Since denunciations seem to be in or
der, will you permit me to point out
to you that the young lady who has
just addressed you is Betsy LeMarsh,
alias Williamsburg Sadie, not only one
of the most adroit woman crooks in
the city, but also an emissary and
agent of Jules Legar himself"
Having made that speech, the
Laughing Mask promptly swung the
heavy folding doors shut. He did so
before one Of the astonished onlookers
conld interfere. Then he turned the
key in the snaplock, and ran headlong
along the quiet hall. He all but col
lided with Margery Golden herself.
Here's where take time by the
forelock," he grimly announced, as
he darted across the room to huge old
fashioned grandfather's clock which
stood against the farther wall. The
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 al
ready 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-smiling girl with an
indignant forefinger. where is he?"
How should know" asked the
young woman
We'll, he's here, and we'll get him.
declared the man who seemed to be
the leader of the others. Then Margery |
Golden's heart suddenly came up into |
her mouth, for she could see that he |
was hurrying across the room in the |
direction of the clock She could see |
his right hand go into his pocket and
whip out revolver as his left hand
.hrew open the little black-walnut
ioor along the face of the clock. Then |
The breathed again, for the clock was
amply.
But the man with the revolver had
lropped to his knees and was patting
about the clock base.
Il thought sol" he suddenly called
nut There's spring trap here that
pens through the floor. Quick, some
i you men, get down to the base
nenti"
Margery Golden was even able to
mile again.
Wilson she said, "be SO good as
o show these gentlemen the way to
he basement. And then be so good
s to have Miss Betsy LeMarsh come
ere E
But Miss Betsy LeMarsh had COM
nandeered hat and coat belonging
0 her mistress, possessed herself Of q
eweled ring or two and small moroc-
o case, which she discreetly slowed
way as she stole quietly down the
ervants' stairs, and slipped out
through the shrubbery.
30 preoccupied was she. however, in
utting distance between her and the
ouse wioch she had just left that she
allied to observe figure simuitane-
usly and quite as eagerly emerging
rom . basement window. Yet as she
lurriedly rounded the block. in eager
Luest Of taxicab, this figure showed
,fufo 10 1fIe. INT NAVAL