The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-08-10
FOURTH EPISODE
Kidnapped.

Was Philippa Brewster the girl Of
the Double Cross? This was the great
question agltating the mind of Bridgey
Bentley-indeed so important had it
become that he determined to 60 to
work at once to ascertain the an
swer. He felt he had stumbled on
prize more worth the having than
anything his most audaciOus schemes
could possibly net him-mOreOver, If
he could be fortunate enough to win
the hand of Philippa, provided she was
the girl specified in the will of Peter
Hale's father, he would at one stroke
place himself in an assured position
financially as well as further increase
his social prestige.
He realized, however, that Peter also
was determined to win her and he
resolved to checkmate the plans Of
his rival.
So it happened that both Mr.. Hale
and Mr.. Bentley returned to the city
separately and apparently lost track
of each other.
But Peter had no idea of letting
Philippa's rebuffs dlshearten him.
While he was cogitating on ways
and means and making himself as mis-
cradle as a man in love can be,
Bridgey Bentley was proceeding to put
into execution a scheme which prom
Used a speedy revelation. On this par
ticular afternoon he clOseted hlmeSlf
with his lieutenant, Buck, and having
pointed out to that worthy exactly
what ne wished to find out thus lait
down the law to him.
II want you to hire about half
dozen rough chaps and station then
at the corner of Bates street-havt
them there about eight o'clock tonight
When they see my car coming, the!
will know 1t by the chauffeur, have
them leap on the running board, over
power him, open the doors and seiz'
the young woman who will be witt
me and tell them to give me some req
treatment. I'll fight back and tr,
to rescue the girl-get the idea? In
to be the hero, but In the Scuffle b
sure of one thing-that both he
sleeves are torn clear off her arms, an
| see if there's the mark Of a dOubl
cross there. Once that's done, I'm t
knock the men out and rescu
her"
Bentley leaned back, sardoni
smile on his thin lips. Buck thre'
I'D his head and laughed. "Say, Dos
you're a clever one all right"
| "Wait a minute, Buck-let's max
sure" and the social pirate, pickin
up the phone, called the number OF II
| Brewster town house and asked
speak to Philippe Brewster.
II After a short wait he spoke-a
Stunning his most ingratiating ton
"Oh, is that you, Miss Brewster? Mf
| persuade you to go to the theat
with me to-night-where? OH
| going to be original and let you pi'
out the performance"
( Buck OWNED, and correctly, fro
Mr.. Bentley's answer that everythil
would be satisfactory and Bridg
hung UP the receiver and slapped hi
on the back. "It's all right" he saj
That evening when Mr.. Bentley
= rived at the Brewster home in
\ limousine he was dressed perfectly
= He spoke few words to the cha1
v feur and followed Philippa into
y car, closing the door and began
\ talk about the play.
Z So engrossed was Philippa in
" conversation that she did not not
3 that the motor was taking a roul
n nbout course nor was she aware Il
- ANYTHING was wrong until the eng
y suddenly stopped, the door was thro
y omen. and half q dozen ugly-lOok
= men leaped inside, gagged Bentley o
e threatened her life if she screamed
- Indignant, protesting, but helplt
y Philippa gazed in terror as the arm
= rufiians crowding beside her and
- escort gave the order to go abe
x She cast frightened glances at Be
y lev, who was unable to utter a We
e. Their journey was short. The
4 drew ND before a understanding st
x house and the desperadOes procee
V to carry their prisoners inside
60 lock the door after them.
. Having reached the second fl
x they bundled Philippa into one 70
" and leaving her there, took the DO
g Mr.. Bentley into another, where
q oblIgingly removed the gag and
x Kim for the moment free to Spea
" He was not slow to avail him
- of this privilege and he burst
~ into a torrent Of abuse. "You !
/ fools, what do you mean by brinI
+ me hereP But his words were
/ by laughter, and as he turned more
i furiated, he came face to face
/ a slender figure wearing black n
which concealed part Of the eyes,
nose and lips.
i Mr.. Bentley gasped. The stra'