Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-03-23

In the act OF listening at a keyhole,
sprang TO her feet and fed like a
shadow down the long hallway.
why, that was one Of our maidsl"
cried the astonished girl.
And also a secret agent OF the
Iron Claws" announced the man in
the mask.
But what are you going to dor
demanded the puzzled girl.
I'm going to show that I'm still
your friend, and at the same time
prove that this particular maid is your
enemy" called back the man in the
mask.
But that particular maid, realizing
apparently that events were shaping
themselves into some final issue, lost
no time In lettering along the hallway
Of that shadowy house. She ran
straight TO the heavy folding doors
which shut OF the library wherein,
she knew, Enoch Golden was already
comforting with HIS circle OF officers
from the detective bureau. Opening
these doors. she confronted those
startled officials.
III you're after that man you call
the Laughing Mask" she announced
in her shrill soprano, you'll find him
here in this house. at this very mo-
ment."
'In this house?" echoed the astound-
ed old millionaire.
you'll find him." shrilled the white
faced maid, "in Margery Golden's
room. And the sooner you get there
the betteri"
They rose rs one man and moved
towards the door.
But they did not pass through that
door. They came to a pause, for the
very material reason hat a man in a
yellow mask, holding q revolver in
his hand, confronted them from the
hallway.
"Just a moment, gentlemen" this
masked stranger suavely announced,
although the suavity of his voice was
somewhat discounted by the obviously
menacing position of his flrearm.
Since denunciations seem to be in or
der, will you permit me to point out
to you that the young lady who has
Just addressed you is Betsy LeMarsh,
alias Williamsburg Sadie, not only n
Of the most adroit m crooks in
the city, but also an emissary and
agentNof Jules Legar himself"
Having made that speech, the
Laughing Mask promptly swung the
heavy folding doors shut. He did so
before one OF the astonished onlookers
could interfere. Then he turned the
key in the snaplock, and ran headlong
along the quiet hall. He all but col
lided with Margery Golden herself.
Here's where l take time by the
forelock," he grimly announced, as
he darted across the room to a huge old
fashioned grandfather's clock which
stood against the farther wall. The
~astonished girl saw him swing open
the door and step inside the clock.
Then she turned quickly about, for the
men from the central office were al
ready in the room. And she had no
desire to make their task easier for
them.
THAT man came into this room!"
declared one of the older men, chal-
longing the h%alf-smiling girl with an
indignant forefnger. Where is hep
"How should l known" asked the
calm-eyed young m
well he's here, and we'n get him.
declared the man who seemed to be
the leader OF the others. Then Margery
Golden's heart suddenly anne up into
her mouth, for she could see that he
was hurrying across the room In the
direction OF the clock. She could see
his right hand go into his pocket and
whip out a revolver as his left hand
threw open the little black-walnut
door along the face Of the clock, Their
she breathed again, for the clock wa
empty.
But the man with the revolver haC
dropped to his knees and was 'pattinl
interrogatively about the clock base.
81 thought sol" he suddenly calleC
out. There's a spring trap here tina
, opens through the floor. Quick, SOM
Of you men. get down to the base
mentl"
! Margery Golden was even able t
2 smile again.
Wilson" she said. "be so good a
TO show these gentlemen the way t
the basement. And then be 80 goo
as to have Miss Betsy LeMarsh com
d here"
But Miss Betsy LeMarhh had con
y mandeered a hat and coat belongin
u to her mistress. possessed herself OF
jeweled ring or two and a small moro'
d co case, which she discreetly stowe
away as she stole quietly down tn
A. servants stairs. and slipped OF
through the %shrubbery.
So ~preoccupied wal she. however, !
putting distance between her and III
house which she had just left that sh
- failed to observe a figure simultani
70 ously and quite as eagerly emergin
from a basement window. Yet as sh
10 hurriedly rounded the block, in eag'
ouaat Of a taxicab. this figure Shove