The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1917-04-07
FIFTH EPISODE
AbIaze in Mid-hir.

The loose plnnklng that had been
cnrclessly nailed To form the floor that
separated Put from the room below,
ratified under the girls feet ns she
hurried to the rescue of Phil Kelly,
who wns struggling against odds In
the room below. with feycrish haste
the girl graspcd 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 II 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
culng the Sphinx, added his efforts to
the girls eager struggles.
Hold on for your life," Pat called
down TO the detective. an 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, npd discovered II piece of rope.
As gift from the gods she pounced
upon the rope, und by using short
pieces of planking to pry the boards
loose Jacques soon made II hole in the
| floor large enough to accommodate
Kelly's body.
When they had drawn Kelly fur
enough to permit him to help himself
by reaching up to grasp the planks
and ruftcrs, Pat shouted To jacques:
"You stay und see him out OF his
trouble. I'm going To disappear"
1t was the next day before Kelly
could reach Pat ON the phone ana ask
permission To call upon her. And then
the girl put him OF with II series of
excuses that cNuspcrated him.
81 can't understand why you will
not let me call aud thank you for saw
ing my life, Miss Pat" Kelly finally
said over the phone.
The truth is, II you must know, I
don't require any thanks. 1t was just
the logical action of one human being
toward another in Distress" suid the
girl.
But your action puzzles ne" Kel,
ly started Ia continue.
And that's just what have set out
10 do interrupted the girl, ito keep
you guessing aud make you prove that
what your admirers say about your be-
ing the greatest detective In all Eu'
rope"
Before Kelly could continue the con
vcrsation Pat had terminated his op
portunity by hanging up the receiver
IN make Mr.. kelly regret the day
he snubbcd me-" she said to herself
as she lii cigarette and languldly
dropped upon the diyun.
Mrs. Van Nuys interrupted her rev
erie by entering Pats boudoir and an
nOunCing:
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 Nuys.
"The Crosbys are all right l suppos,
but | would rather remain at home,
said Pat Il little wearily. but If yol
would like me TO go, auntie, am per
fectly agreeable TO the idea," she add
ed.
And II was finally agreed that the,
should be numbered among the Cros
by's guests at the party. After Mrs
Van Nuys had left the room Pat bcgal
to conjure some method to ring Kell,
into the occasion and further humiliat
him. Aud in the hour or more sh
devoted TO the subject, Pat though
out way TO mike the Sphinx still
further regret that he had been rud
10 her.
Taking up her pen, Pat wrote n not,
in disguised hand, informing Kell
that there would be a great display O