Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-02-09

rounding up or this somewhat TOO au-
tocratic Laughing Mask.
One of these efforts included a visit
on Enoch Golden by Lieutenant Kibby
and three of his men from the detec-
pointed out, was in position to help
the authorities out of a predicament
by telling all he knew about this same
mysterious stranger.
But 1 don't know any more about
this Laughing Mask than you dol"
protested the old financier.
Surely you have at least some the
DRY as to the identity of the man."
81 thought had, once or twice. And
my daughter thought she had. But we
were off the track, each time"
zone moment, please" cut in the
lieutenant as he suddenly rose to his
feet and strobe across the room. He
stepped out through the portiered
doorway, stared down the hallway, and
returned to the room again. Are you
aware Of the fact that young woman
has been standing there listening to
every word we said?"
The deep-lined face of the aged finan-
cier showed no perceptible change.
MY daughter, undoubtedly" retort-
ed Golden. For the girls about as
interested In this case, you see, as we
are ourselves!"
Margery's interest in the mysterious
case of the Laughing Mask, indeed.
would have been brought promptly
home to that somewhat puzzled police
lieutenant had he been able to give
less attention to Enoch Golden and
more to the puzzled-eyed girl who had
stood momentarily arrested at the en-
trance to her fathers library. For
as she moved on down the shadowy
hallway she found herself confronted
by that interruptive but all too IA
miliar figure Of the Laughing Mask
himself. He made gesture for ST.
lence as she started back in alarm.
Then he nodded his dominoed head in
the direction of the library door.
"Now, perhaps, you will understand
why it has not been easy for me to
|
But you must explain" gasped the
bewildered girl. They are saying
terrible things about you, things which
I know to be untrue"
do you trust me-"
81 want to-" was the whispered an
swer.
Then will you continue to trust
me?" asked the man in the mask.
81 don't think I cam" was the girls
hesitating answer, until you can trust
mel"
"You mean that 1 must unmask?"
But Margery Golden's reply to that
question was never uttered. For al
she was about to speak, her volatile
maid, Celestine, stepped into the hal
behind her, beheld the mysteriously
masked figure, and promptly filled the
house with ringing Gallo scream.
Mon Dieu, it is the Laughing
Mask" she shrilled as she ran dowr
the hall, giving the alarm.
And her alarm, unreasoning as II
seemed, was fully shared by the
Laughing Mask himself. He swung
about, darted through a doorway, and
disappeared from sight as Golden ant
his retainers and his official visitor!
came f1ocking out to the scene o.
that disturbance.
Two minutes later Margery Golden
hearing a shout from Kibby's mel
above stairs, followed that officer II
the scene of the sudden tumult. There
to her alarm, she saw three men strug
Cling with a figure which she prompt
ly recognized as the Laughing Masl
himself.
We've got him!" gasped one of hi
captors as Lieutenant Kibby confront
ed him.
.'Whatn we do with him? asked hi
other captor.
First thing, tear that fool masl
off" commanded the lieutenant.
But that command was not carriet
into execution. For Margery Golden
catching sight of the Laughing Mask
fallen revolver, ran to where it la.
and took possession of 1t. The mex
moment it was leveled straight at tn
heart of the detective whose hand ha,
been lifted to the yellow domino GOV
ering his prisoners face.
Stop" commanded the girl.
Put down that gun, you!" prompt
ly commanded Kibby, purple with ir
dignation.
Not until your men release tina
\ -prisoner," was her deliberate response
Yes, you, both of you," she continued
] mcnacing the officers of the law wit
the revolver. Stand back fror
him, Still further backj Now you,
she added, turning to the Laughin
: Mask, walk out through that door
: Go out, and GO at once!"
; So intently did che watch that di!
! appearing figure that the movement
, of the adroit and much-experience
Lieutenant Kibby, siding stealthil
f along the wall beside her, entirely e.
capped her attention. When he leape
e for Margery Goiden's tense figure, b
+ made sure of his distance and sure {
his mark in doing So. He prompt
e and none too gently wrested the r,