Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-20

slip. But Helen held them in view
and gained until, turning suddenly on
her, they realized she was their most
dangerous enemy and resolved to
make way then and there with her.
Stunning her with heavy blow the
two men carried her to the end OF a
car soon to be set into train; and
strapping her head close against the
coupling Joint, left her helpless.
Webb, in the meantime. hunted ev-
erywhere for Helen. To his con-
sternation he at last caught sight OF
her just as a train was backing down
for a coupling that would crush her.
Signaling frantically, Webb ran to his
plucky assistant. To free her from the
death trap was the work OF an in
stant, and by the utmost exertion
Webb was able to fling her to the
ground between the rails just as the
two couplers crashed together. The
switching crew. hearing his outcry,
now ran up. but Helen, losing no
time, fastened with Webb toward the
Office. On their way an agent handed
her newspaper with an account OF
Buck Masters escape.
"It's hard. Helen,' said Webb. But
never mindl Well get him again"
1t was following this incident that
Desmond received wire from head
quarters:
Guests for Meiross Fete tonight will
travel Special Mountain Springs TO Mel
rose Estate. Provide operatives to accom-
pany
This dispatch bore the general man
ayers initials. "Detail some men for
this" said Desmond to Burke, hand
ing him the message.
"We ought to send woman" sug-
gested Burke, "but we have no woman
operatives. :.
Desmond looked at Helen. "Detail
Miss Holmes" he directed curtly and
Helen went home to get ready.
Masters and Marshall reached their
room aware that Helen had escaped:
"Just the same," exclaimed Masters
with an oath, we've got to get rid OF
her"
Burke knocked at their door as he
spoke. They told him quickly what
had happened.
"She Is going up with the Melrose
party tonight" he remarked. why
don't you get up there and carry her
Off"
The plan, discussed. was agreed to;
but before starting, Masters and Mar
shall went to Chinatown to play fan
,tan. While gambling, scraps of con-
vcrsation from an inner room at.
tracted their attention. What China
man in Pedro" muttered one voice,
would give $1,000 for a wife"
Il don't know any girl that would
marry him." was the rejoiner.
To Marshall the remark supplied an
idea: That our chance to get rid
of Helen," he whispered to his CON-
panion. q.
"We can talk with those fellows
anyway" returned Masters. The two
waited. When the party in the inner
room emerged, Marshall tackled the
leader. But few words passed before
an understanding was reached and
Marshall with Masters left the place
in a machine.
At the station the guests for the
Melrose party were boarding the
train. Helen, Burke and Roy Wilson
accompanied them. At Melrose estate
the party was received by Lord ant
Lady Melrose and more than one o.
the guests spoke Of the striking re-
semblance of Helen to Lady Melrost
herself. Greetings over, the guest!
spread about the grounds. which wert
en- fete for the occasion. Hidden out
side, Masters and Marshall from be
hind the thick hedge surrounding TIL
garden, waited for chance to act
Masters carrying a blanket. TIL,
chance came--or at least the con
spirstors thought it had come--whei
peefipg cautiously through the shrub