Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-01-26

Sprana Bodily on ManIey.
the menacing automatic-barrel to one
side and sprang bodily on Mahley. As
he did so an unexpected and strangely
room. 1t was a figure wrapped and
hooded in heavy velour and Only sec
ond glance at it's strange coyeries
would have revealed the fact that il
was a portiere quickly torn frors its
fastenings and improvised into q
mask to conceal it's wearer's identity.
Eat Nanley, as he fought with Wrench,
had small time to register this fact. or
the further fact that rent had been
made in the portiere to serve as an
eye-hole for the head which it so COM
pletely covered.
1t was not until that hooded figure
had joined in the contest that Manisy
became aware Of the second portieTe
which his newer opponent carried. F'or
this portiere was deity thrown over
the young secretary's head and sudden
ly drawn tight about his arms. The
white-faced and struggling fOotmau.
realizing that his final chance nod
come, promptly took advantage OF Maa-
ley's momentary helplessness TO tall
back, leap for the open door and mske
good his escape.
Manley himself, maddened by tie
thought of that culprit's escape, swung
about on his hooded assailant with
fury that sent the latter also retreat
ing towards the hall. That unknown
enemy even sought to escape as nis
colleague had done, but at the stair
head Manley overlook him. Together
they went down the stairs, a tangle OF
limbs and striking fists and portiere
ends. They fought and rolled along the
lower doorway, fought until Manley
had freed himself from the others
clutch and was struggling to tear the
drapery from about his mysterious en-
emy's head. But that enemy. fran
tically bent on remaining unknown.
fought back with an added fury which
brought the two swaying and clinging
bodies full force against the stair
railing. That railing, under the strain.
| oN00OAAJ saw way NANCY N@iA5AAS
desperately to the portiere folds. felt
that voluminous drapery follow after
him as he fell gasping over the well or
the stairs
He fell SPRAYING, tangled up in
many yards of velour, and landed On
the covering head and shoulders OF the,
astounded Wilson, who, at that suddens|
assault, promptly and vociferousl1
shouted for help.
| When Manley, stunned Tor mimi
or two by the fall, once more ope
his eyes and blinked inQuiringl
him, he saw both Golden and
and Margery herself clustered
side.
did you get him." he demar
Get whom?" asked Enoch Col
THAT murderous blackleg. Da
pareS" was Manley's reply.
But Count da Espares has NOD
to do with ~" protested the 81
with a frown bewilderment "Hey
only been he pg US. as he always'
helped us!"
"As he alwa1 helped your" scoffed
the incredulous8M anley.
Yes, as he will tell you himself!-
For at that moment, suave and smn
ing, the count Joined the wonderin
circle.
"Ah, monsieur, i keep watch above
as you ask" he explained with shrux
But nozzing happen. - see nobody,
Then. mon dieu. 1 hi the tumult
and come down to you But 1 cannoe
comprehend. So tell me, monsieur,
beg, what has happen?".
Manley rose stifiy and slowly to his
feet
You don't understand" he asked
as his fixed stare met the mildly queD
tioning eyes of the count.
mo, monsieur" was the others
softly spoken answer, as he still gazed
with solemn wonder into the scoffins
face Of the American.
But what do you mean by this, any
way, Manley?" demanded Enoci
Golden.
"Oh, 1 guess he's merely the gU
that put the Laugh In the Laughing
Mask" was Manley's embittersd ~
enigmatic .reto.t
(TO BE CONTnUEDs