Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1917-03-23


across wild"
The gunman's words were suddenly
clipped short by the sharp crack Of
pistol. A look of surprised consterna-
ton came into Red Eagan's face-for
moment he swayed unsteadily on
his feet-then slowly crumpled into
heap of inanimate clay. Into the
startled vision of his companion came
q black limousine fuTiously racing
along the highway, the evil face of
Legar plainly discernible as he leaned
far out from the swaying vehicle,
emptying his automatic in their direc-
ton. There was not moment to
lose. Snatching the crimson-stained
| paper from under the limp body of
| the slain gunman, the woman ran
| swiftly toward the old barn, reaching
that sanctuary just as Legar and his
confederates swarmed out of the
limousine in hot pursuit. Through the
sagging portals and up the rickety
| stairs she darted,l the wolfish pack
| close at her heels. For a brief instant
she surveyed her surroundings. Be-
hind the heavy oaken door Of the har-
ness-room she knew Margery and her
father had taken refuge in accordance
with her instructions, and she must In
no way jeopardize their safety.
Close by a broken window, over
looking the depths of the rocky
gorge. stood a shabby old-fashioned
trunk. II took but a moment for the
harried fugitive to scramble into that
ancient receptacle. but oven as she
lowered the cover Legar and his
! henchmen stormed up the narrow
stairs. The quick eye Of the master
crook caught the movement Of that
closing trunk cover. Grinning with
unholy exultation, he turned to his
unsavory crew of followers.
Take that trunk and throw 1t out
The window" snarled Legar. We've
Gagged our bird all right, and when
she ntts those rocks she won't feel
like meddling with my business for
some time to come"
AS he led his murderous band out
of the old building toward the alb
| ruptly sloping wall of the ravine, the
door of the harness room slowly
opened and Enoch Golden stepped out,
closely followed by his horror-stricken
daughter.
Il could see plainly through that
crack in the door," murmured the
white-faced girl, "the poor woman
tried to hide in a trunk and Legar
had his men drop her from the win
dow"
The distressed look In her eyes
changed to one OF sudden bewilder-
ment. From out Of the cobwebbed
mouth Of grain chute, over which
the trunk had been resting, appeared
the head and shoulders of the yelled
stranger. AS she regained her foot.
ing on the rough boarded floor she
drew from the inside of her black
gown a crumpled and blood-stained
paper. This she quietly handed to the
startled girl
Here is the proof promised you,
were her low-toned words.
But how did you escape from the
trunk?" Intercepted the still bewild
cred Margery. who are you? AND
why did you risk your life to cleal
the name Of the Laughing Maskr"
The woman replied calmly.
Half the bottom of the trunk wa:
broken away and It was easy for m,
to slide through the opening into tina
grain chute. AS to who / am, tn,
time has come when I am ready I,
reveal my identity" The woman o
mystery, with quick movement, tor
of her heavy veil and with it a vii
of dark hair, disclosing a clean-cu
and boyishly handsome face. An in
credulous gasp Of surprise burs
, from Margery's lips-"Davy!" sh
shrilled joyfully. "Oh. Davy, you hav
come back to us from the dead"
Yes, l have come back to you.
answered the resurrected Manley
, soon l will tell you the whole story
but now unless we are to fall int,
the clutches Of Legar and his ban,
Of cutthroats we must leave thi
, building at once"
: A little later Manley sat on tn
y white-pillared veranda relating hi
!. strange story to a group of listener,
r II remember a terrible explosion.
: he said reflectively, then the maj
soleum came tumbling down aboU
{ my ears like house of cards. Afte
/ that everything seemed to get darl
+ and about a week ago I came to m
f senses lying on a cot In hospita
You must have mistaken some othe
}. poor beggar for me, and, while ever.
n one thought was dead, 1t SCENE
r like a good chance to catch Legar o
e his guard. got the paper 1 wantet
l. but guess I've stirred up hornet
. nest"
One Of the listeners was a bull
d necked individual with a reddisl
, brown complexion, wearing the un
k form of a captain of police. He no
shufied his feet uneasily.
@ That's all very interestin',. youn
J. man." he broke in with an air of IN
- | potiapca "hut Two emma all the wa