The Washington herald., 1916-11-15

the arch criminal and his lieutenants
were out for no good purpose. Hall
ing q second taxi that CHANGED to be
passing. Montrose gave chase. Night
had fallen. :
In q tenement district at that time
stood Aliger's Dance Hall; o plague
spot OF the neighborhood; one Of the
very last Of the old time dives that
used to blacken the good name Of the
lower East Side.
In front of Aiieer's drew up the
taxi containing the men whom Mont
rose was trailing. La Rue, Tanner
and Kiel got out and went into the
place. A moment or 90 later Mont
rose stealthily followed.
He was Just In time to see the three
pass into q private room at the end
of the hall. The doctor made his way
to o table that stood close to the door
OF this room. His hat pulled low over
his brow, he sat down, ordered a
drink (Which he did not touch) and
waited. He could hear nothing In the
private room.
But presently q waiter went thither,
apparently in response to q touch Of
the bell. In the second the door was
open Montrose could see the three
grouped at q table
Montrose's one superseding thought
was to lay has hands on Pierre La
Rue. A wave Of anger and hatred
surged over him. He clasped and un-
clasped his hands many times, as II
they were itching to twfne themselves
a haf "a
human brute. How long he wait
Cd Montrose could not tell. But
as each minute passed and the
door still remained closed his
anger swelled higher and higher, until
finally losing all patience, he rose to
his feet, and, gripping a heavy oaken
chair, hurled It at the door with all
his strength. For Just the barest
fraction OF q second did the door
hold: then 1t gave way completely
and Montrose stumbled into the room.
For an instant he hesitated, as II to
pull himself together. Then, as he
saw the master criminal disappear
ing through the window, he thrust
Tanner and Kiel, who would inter-
fere, aside and flung himself out after
him.
The minutes start, however, was
enough for the Crimson Stain leader.
In that brief interval Of time he
managed tc spring into O waiting
taxi-cab and be whiried away to
safety. Montrose Immediately gave
chase.
Two blocks away, az pursued and
pursuer flashed around the corner on
two wheels, barely missing o trolley
car, two policemen caught sight Of
the fear-distraught face of Pierre La
Rue In the leading tad-cab. Some
where at some time they had seen
photograph Of him, and, realizing
instantly who he was, the rninions Of
the law Communicated q passing au-
tomobile and Joined the chase.
Needless of traffic policemen's chal-
lenges, disregarding all danger and
warnings, the machines fairly few
through the crowded streets Of the
lower East Side, endangering Life and
escaping self-destruction time and
time again by q mere hairs breadth.
Further north as they progressed the
congestion became less, and the ma
chimes increased their speed CORE
spondingiy until to the startled be-
holders they looked like streaks Of
chain lightning cracking along the
pavement. Faster and faster they
sped, each occupant threatening, ca
joling, pleading with his driver to
make more speed, more speed. But
the machines were too evenly bal
anced. and tn only hope Of each was
that the otheEs car would break down
under the terrific strain. Try as he
could Pierre could not throw Off his
relentless pursuerS
Presently they left the city behind
them. Before them stretched the
exclusive Riverdale section, where
DIR. Montrose lived. As they reached
the Montrose home Pierre nung some
bills at his driver, jumped out and
dashed into the house, collidine with
Florence.
For an instant she stared at him.
Then she screamed. The suddenness
of 1t shattered Pierre's decision. He
hesitated. Before he could gather
himself to Zee Montrose burst into
the room. Like a whiriwind Mont
rose swept down upon him. Throw
ing his muscular arms about Pierre,
the doctor held him immovable In q
viselike grip. Then, with q swift
sweeping gesture. he tore or Pierre's
disguise, revealing, to his great
amazement, Felix!
"You:" he managed to articulate.
"You!"
From outside suddenly came the
crash Of shifting gears and the whine
Of worn-out brakes quickly applied.
The realisation came to Montrose that
the pursuing policemen were at the
door. He turned to Florence
Mot Q word" he whispered hur-
riedly. 'The police are at the door
Felix 10 not the Crimson Stain. I
want to save him. viii explain all
later"
ouscaty hs showed Felix behind
some furniture. with Q chair he
thrust out q pane Of glass tn the win
dow and overturned several pieces OF
brio-a-brao just a. the policemen
came flying into the room.
"Out that wayi" cried Montrose,
pointing to the broken window. The
two policemen plunged out In pursuit
Felix came crouching out from his
hiding place and, with a sneersat the
doctor, started for the stairs. Mont
rose made a. II to follow, but Flor
ence's restraining hand deferred him.
Father. what II It? Tell me-" she