Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1916-06-29

Of triumph swung the great steel door
y shut, even as the partly-dressed VIII
son ran gaping in through the library
, door. Yet Legar took time to throw
back the tumbler lever and spin the
dial before turning to confront that
wide-eyed servant. Then, hearing
other approaching steps, he dove
through the second door, scurried like
pelted hound through shadowy
rooms, slipped eel-like through a
quickly opened window and escaped
10 the street.
There he ran for a dark-bodied car
standing in the deep tree shadows,
and with gasp of relief flung himself
up into the cushioned seat.
AS he didSo masked figure sitting
crouched close back in the hooded
gloom of that seat suddenly threw out
hand and garroted the startled Lee
gar against the leather upholstery, on
which he began to writhe like a cater
pillar on a cabinet pin. But with an
equally deft second movement the
man in the yellow mask snatched the
oblong MANILA paper from his oppo-
nents hand.
"This," blandly announced the man
Of mystery as his garroting fingers re-
Taxed and he stepped down to the run
ming board, sis one of the rare mo-
ments when l have the pleasure of
trumping your acei"
And the all but apoplectic Legar lay
back gasping for breath as that stran-
ger dropped lightly from the speeding
car and vanished shadowlike into the
night.
At the home of Enoch Golden, in the
meantime, the terrified Wilson had re-
gained both his feet, his presence of
mind and presentable portion of his
dignity. His frantic shouts for help
had brought the rest of the servants
Hooking to the library, and his equally
frantic, efforts to describe what had
taken place did not add to the peace
OF that little group from below stairs.
Il tell you, Tibbins, Miss Margory's
locked in that vault, and there's no
one In the 'ouse as knows low to open
It'll"
Cries Of horror burst from that sud-
denly arrested circle.
Someone telephone for the police!"
cried the second man, as Wilson
shouldered out through the group
swarming and gesticulating about the
vault door. Eyes, the police!"
He had the instrument in his shak-
Ing hand when the door opened and
David Manley stepped quickly in, with
Tito, the green-bodied parrot, on his
arm.
What's wrong hereG" was the new
comer's sharp demand.
It's Miss Margory, sir" began the
Quavering-voiced butler.
well, what about Miss Margory,"
She's locked in that vault, sir, and
no one In the 'ouse knows the combi-
nation!"
Good God!" cried Manley, sudden
ly transfixed. Then he ran to the
vault door, flinging the others aside.
FIinging off his coat, he bent over
the dial. The silent group circled
about him. And still he worked,
worked with every nerve on edge,
every sense alert, for time, he knew.
was precious.
Il said silence there!" he called
out sharply, for his whole mind was
directed to the faint click of metal
against metal in front of him. But
ouder than before the green-bodied
BIRD on Its broken perch repeated its
,ry.
Twenty-one thirty-forty-two-
'lxty!" was the shrill and monotonous
Try OF the parrot, with one eye cooked
Manley suddenly wheeled about.
What In Gods name does that par
'ot mean? Wait! 1t is
must be"-But instead of finishing
nat declaration he repeated the
irds cry. Twenty-one, thirty, forty
wo, sixty"
In the next breath he was facing the
ault door, with his trembling fingers
lrning and spinning the glimmerinr
ial.
Then, without breathing, and with
oiorless face, his hand grasped the
impler lever. And not one of that
roup moved as he put on that lever
10 pressure that would tell the tale.
1t was Celestine the parlor maid
no Endorsed her Latin temperament
railing back In dead faint as the
etal door swung open. But no one.
that moment, was thinking of Celes.
ne.
ITS all right" Manley called from
% darkness Of the inner vault. she's
ive-shell be around in minute
ny somebody get some water!"
ITO Ra Continual