The Carlisle independent., 1917-03-29

! due to two widely different causes: Accident and alcohol. Hope, detained at the Presidio longer than hephad an- ticipated. was speeding cityward when, in one of the most deserted stretches of Golden Gate park, at point remote from street cars, taxicabs, or tele- phones, one of his rear tires exploded with a bang It was half past ten, therefore, before he reached the hotel and received Cleo's message. Thirty seconds later he was back in his car and, in defiance of all speed ordi- nances, was racing toward the Edge mere road, sick with a nameless fear at the thought that Cleo had gone alone to see the man Stephanski.
 Hooks excuse for failure to keep his appointment with Cleo was less valid one, for, meeting in resort on the water front some comrades of his seafaring days. he spent so conyiyial an evening that it was only the de- parture of his companions, who had to return to their ship, which made him aware of the lateness Of the hour. ! the St. Francis to tell Cleo that he was returning, only to be informed by the clerk that she had already left for the Edgemere road-alone. The next moment one-armed sailor might have been seen running madly up one of the streets in the lower quarters of the city shouting loudly for taxicab.
 
 Morton and Olga, having tempora- rily disposed of Cleo and her friends, discussed their plan of campaign.
 We know said Olga, that the for mula is hidden in one of the twelve i books. but we don't know in which one. For that matter, neither does the Burke girl. But even if we find the right book it does not follow that we will be any better off than we were before, for the chances are a hundred | to one that Burke took the precaution of putting it in the form of crypto- gram. In that case we would be un- able to decipher it without the key. I am certain the girl knows the key
 Yes" agreed Morton, T think you're right. countess. But how do you propose to make the girl give us the key?"
 Listen said Olga. When they come back at ten o'clock Stephanski will admit them. We will lay the book on the table and push the table close up against that curtain. You and I will stand behind the curtain. We will place the lamp so that, in or der to examine the book, their backs will be toward us When I give the signal you will slip out behind the cur tain-you had better take off your shoes so as not to make any noise and put the lieutenant out of busi- ness; Stephanski will attend to the seaman, and I'll look after the girl. It was ten minutes to eleven, and the three conspirators had almost abandoned hope of Cleo and her friends returning that night, when l they were relieved to hear a motor stop outside. A moment later there was timid rap on the door Stephan ski opened it while Morton and Olga slipped behind the curtain.
 Has MT. Stephanski returned yet?" they heard Cleo ask
 He iss back" was the answer. Won't you come in?"
 Shes come alone" whispered Mor- ton, peeping through the curtains This Smplifies everything AS Cleo stepped into the untidy living room the first thing to catch her eye was the familiar leather bound volume.
 That's the book" she cried eager ly, and, bending over it, turned it's | leaves, one by one. from cover to cover As she completed her examina- tion she gave little exclamation of disappointment. At that moment she felt her arms suddenly pinioned from behind, while a blanket was thrown over her head muffiing her screams.
 If you don't want to be hurt, stop screaming" she heard a voice saying An instant later gag was forced into her mouth and her hands were tied behind her with a strip of linen.
 Now, you can take off the blanket" said the same voice, and Cleo found herself confronted by two peculiarly sinister figures, man and a woman, whose faces were entirely concealed by dark calico masks.
 Now, Miss Burke" said the woman, approaching until her face was within few inches of Cleo's, we want you to answer some questions. If you an- swer them truthfully you will be re- leased unharmed. Do you know in which book the formula is hidden?"
 Cleo shook her head.