The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-03
copyright, 1915, by Arthur Stringent
THE UNMASKING OF DAVY.
EPISODE XVI.

LII A9oDI n
- N THAT gloomy sanctuary Of
evil-doers known as the
Owls Nest, Jules Legar bent
over the half sheet of paper
on which the pen in his lean
fingers was inscribing certain cryptic
characters. The candle, guttering in
a bottle neck, impaired CHASTITY yell
low tinge to that wolfish face, as
Legar leaned back and studied the re-
suits of his labor with evident salts
faction. Then he quickly folded the
strip of parchment, placed it in an en-
velope, and securely gummed down
the flap with the aid of the iron hook
which took the place of his missing
left hand.
Crossing the dank Tagging of the
subterranean chamber, he stood be-
fore a rat-faced individual, who
squinted slavishly up at him with
one good eye. Although fortified by
liberal portions of the Owls illicit
brew, it was evident that One-Lamp
Louie nourished an unwholesome
dread of that scar-marked tyrant,
who brooked no infraction of his ma
lign authority.
''Cut out that booze and listen to
me-" commanded Legar in curt tones;
you know the place where those
bulls from headquarters gave us such
a lively run that had to cache that
Van Horn swag. Get out there as
quick as you can and turn this en-
velope over to Dutch Frank, who will
be waiting with Tony Rafello along
the road near the lake. They will
know what to do, and remember-no
bungling on this job"
Az the one-eyed gangster placed
the envelope carefully in his pocket
and skunk out of that harborage of
human derelicts, it would have BODIED
i'll for his peace of mind could he
have seen at that moment into the
dark cubbyhole where that noctur-
nal old bag, the Owl, nested during
the daylight hours. In that unsavory
retreat stood a motionless figure, with
one ear pressed so closely to the
cracked door panel that every word
spoken in the outer room was plainly
audible.
This daring eavesdropper wore a
yellow mask, with the mouth slit
curving upward in fixed, hooking
smile.
Racing down this alley, he reached
the street where a black, low-slung
limousine stood drawn up at the curb.
On the next block a thick bodied man
was hailing a passing taxi, and after
q brief parley with the driver he
climbed into the cab, which drove off
at a law-defying speed. The man Of
the mask flung himself into the wait
ing limousine.
Follow that taxicab," he cried out
to the chauffeur; don't let it get out
Of sight for a minute"
The pursuit Of that yellow trimmed
taxtcab led through the canyon-like
streets of the lower city onto a squat
ferryboat, and across the turbid
river threaded the narrow mazes of
Jersey City, and finally swept out
onto the broad highways of the open
country. Like a greyhound coursings
a clumsy rabbit. the high-powered
limousine chung to the lurching taxi,
keeping always discreet distance in
the rear. On and on that chase con-
tinued, sweeping past long stretches
OF level farm lands.
Among these rolling uplands were
the stately summer mansions Of a
millionaire colony which migrated
here annually from the sweltering
metropolis. 1t was in this abiding
place Of wealth that Enoch Golden
had erected a great rambling manor
house on the brow Of a gentle rise
overlooking a sapphire lake winding
away among the hills.
The aged banker now stepped out
of one Of the French windows open
ing on the broad veranda and stood
thoughtfully surveying the peaceful
landscape glimmering in the June
sunlight. 1t was only recently those
quiet glades had sheltered a murder
GUS band Of criminals, led by a scar
scared man thirsting for vengeance.
Had these ruff1ans gone about their
devious affairs or were they still Turk
Ing In the neighborhood, seeking an
opportunity to strike at him or those
he loved more dearly than life itself?
Deeply occupied by thoughts of this
nature he failed to hear a light step
crossing the veranda and 1t was not
until soft. clinging hand slipped into
his that the harassed millionaire be-
came aware of the presence of his
gentle-faced wife. Behind her stood
Eargory.
A few minutes later groom APP
preached the yeranda leading a
spirited black horse. whose tossing
head and dancing feet showed a rest
less impatience for the road. He
greeted his mistress with a little
whinny OF recognition and thrust an
inquiring muzzle into her hand for
the lump Of sugar he never failed to
find.
A. Margory swung lightly into the
saddle. the groom sprang to one side
and she was of with rush Of flying
hoofs. Turning into the highway.
she waved her hand to the watching
group on the veranda and then gave
the thoroughbred free rein. With
fattened ears and heightened stride
u n ~