The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-03-16
FIFTH EPISODE
Ablaze in Mid-Air.

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The loose planking that had been
cArelessly nailed to form the floor that
separated Pat from the room below,
ratified under the girls feet as she
hurried to the rescue Of Phil Kelly
who was struggling against odds IN
the room below. With feverish haste
the girl grasped the edge of the board,
forcing her fingers through the wide
cracks that separated the planks, one
from the other.
She could hear Kelly's Wild shouts
for help, coming to her from the room
below. The ominous swish Of the tails
Of score of alligators as they strug-
gled In the water to reach their hap
less victim, added q note OF extreme
terror to the situation.
Kelly's hands and fingers were bleed
ing from his mad work, trying to save
himself from falling into the tank OF
water among the alligators.
Jacques who had followed Pat up
the rickety stairs where she had run
In the hope Of finding means Of res
cuing the Sphinx, added his efforts to
the girls eager struggles.
"Hold on for your life,' Pat called
down to the detective. 'Tn not see
you eaten alive II my efforts can pre-
vent It,"
While Jacques worked with his
strong hands, Pat scurried about the
room In which she suddenly found
herself, and discovered a piece OF rope.
AS gift from the gods she pounced
upon the rope, and by using short
pieces of planking to pry the boards
loose jacques soon made hole In the
floor large enough to accommodate
kelly's body.
When they had drawn Kelly far
enough to permit him to help himself
by reaching up to grasp the planks
and rafters, Pat shouted to jacques:
ssYou stay and see him out Of his
trouble I'm going to disappear"
1t was the next day before Kelly
could reach Pat on the phone and ask
permission to call upon her. And then
the girl put him of with series of
excuses that exasperated him.
II can't understand why you will
not let me call and thank you for saw
Ing my life, Miss Pat" Kelly finally
said over the phone.
1.-THE truth Is, If you must know,
don't require any thanks. 1t was just
the logical action of one human being
toward another in Distress" said the
girl.
But your action puzzles me" Kel
~ started to continue.
"And that's Just what have set Out
to do" interrupted the girl. ITO keel
you guessing and make you prove thai
what your admirers say about your be
Ing the greatest detective In all Eu
rope"
Before Kelly could continue the con
versation Pat had terminated his OPP
portunity by hanging up the receiver
"rll make Mr.. Kelly regret the da,
he snubbed me-" she said to herself
AZ she lit cigarette and languidl,
dropped upon the divan.
Mrs. Van Mugs interrupted her rev
erie by entering Pats boudoir and an
AOOnNAA6
1--WE are invited to the Crosbys to
night, my dear. They are giving
party and want you and me to attend,
said Mrs. Van Mugs.
1.-The Crosbys are all right suppos
but would rather remain at home,
said Pat little YEARLY. But II yo
would like me to 60, auntie, am pei
fectly agreeable to the idea," she ado
cd.
And 1t was finally agreed that the
should be numbered among the Cro'
by's guests at the party. After Mr.
Van Nuys had left the room Pat bega
to conjure some method to ring Kell
into the occasion and further humilint
him. And In the hour or more sh
devoted to the subject, Pat though
out a way to make the Sphinx sti
surther regret that he had been rud
to her.
Taking up her pen, Pat wrote not
IN disguised hand, informing Kell
hat thsrp would - crest display