Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-02-23

cry OF the law was set IN motion and
far-reaching efforts were made for the
rounding up OF this somewhat too au.
%tocratic Laughing Mask.
One Of these efforts included q visit
on Enoch Golden by Lieutenant Kibby
and three OF his men from the detec-
tive bureau. Golden. the lieutenant
pointed out, was in a position to helm
the authorities out of a p%redicament
by telling all he knew about this same
mysterious stranger.
But I don't know any more about
this Laughing Mask than you doi'
protested the old inancier.
Surely you have at least some the
DRY as to the identity Of the man."
Il thought / had, once or twice. And
my daughter thought she had. But we
were on the track. each time"
"one 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 a young woman
has been standing there listening TO
every word we said?"
The deeplined 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 interruptiye but all too IA
miliar figure of the Laughing Mask
himself. He made a 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 II udb hOL DtGh Ghby lOI hG "
explain Just who 1 ami"
But you must explain" gasped the
bewildered girl. They are saying
terrible things about you, things which
l know to he untrue"
DO you trust me?"
Il want to-" was the whispered an
swer.
Then will you continue to trust
me?" asked the man in the mask.
Il don't think l can" was the girls
hesitating answer, until you can trust
mel"
You mean that I must unmask?"
But Margery Golden's reply to that
question was never uttered. For as
she was about to speak, her volatile
maid, Celestine. stepped into the hall
behind her. beheld the mysteriously
masked figure, and promptly filled the
house with a ringing Gallo scream.
Mon Dieu, It is the Laughing
Mask" she shrilled rs she ran down
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 and
his retainers and his official visitors
came iocking out to the scene Of
that disturbance.
Two minutes later Margery Golden,
hearing a shout from Kibby's men
above stairs. followed that officer to
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 Mask
himself.
We've got himl" gasped one OF hiH
captors as Lieutenant Kibby confront
ed him.
"whatn we do with him?' asked his
other captor.
First thing. tear that fool mask
on" commanded the lieutenant.
But that command was not carried
into execution. For Margery Golden,
catching sight OF the Laughing Masks
fallen revolver, ran to where It lay
and took possession of It. The next
moment II was leveled straight at the
heart OF the detective whose hand had
been lifted to the yellow domino COW
ering his prisoners face.
"Stop!" commanded the girl.
Put down that gun. you'll" prompt
ly commanded Kibby, purple with in.
dignation.
mot until your men release that
prisoner" was her deliberate response.
yes. you, both OF you" she continued,
monacing the officers OF the law with
the revolver. Stand back from
himl stm further backi Now you"
she added. turning to the Laughing
Mask, walk out throug', that doorl
Go out, and GO at once!"
So intently did che watch that dis
appearing figure that the movements
OF the adroit and much-experienced
Lieutenant Kibby, siding stealthily
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