The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-09-21
TENTH EPISODE
The Hole in the Wall.

The arrest of Bridgey Bentley car
ried much delight to the hearts of Pc
ter and Dick AnneSsley, and Philippa
was filled with CONSERVATION when she
learned of it. She could not under
stand why Peter had interfered with
her plunS nor why he had secured the
incarceration of her fance.
Only Mr., Annessley of all those in
vOlved in the complex situation shared
with the Masked Stranger the real
secret which Peter was dying to know.
Bentley had felt sure enough of 1t to
risk marriage with Philippa; but
Peter had been unable to fathOm the
girl who treated him now cordially
and again with SCOrn, yet, somehow, in
spite of the warning of the Masked
Stranger, he felt that she was the girl
of the Double Cross.
Neither AnnesSley nor Peter, how
ever, deiuded himself with any idea
that Bentley would rest until he had
accomplished his marriage with Philip
pa, and they were prepared for almost
any eventuality.
II was evident that the girl whose
father had so mySteriOuSly vanished
had been hypnOtized by the social pi-
rate, and no doubt his Imprisonment
would add to her sympathy.
Philippa could not rest when once
she ascertGined that Bentley was in
prison until she had paid him visit,
md her attitude on that occasion, if it
had been displayed toward Peter,
would have gladdened the heart OF
that young man exceedingly.
But Mr.. Bentley was thinking of
one thing only, and that was how he
could escape from his cell. The more
he pondered the more he determined
that the only permanent way was tc
secure the confession he himself haC
written and which was now safely re
posing in the safe of the district at
tOrney.
! 1t was one thing to covet this paper
: and another to get it. But Bentley
had mapped out piun and was willing
TO risk all on its success. With thi'
in his mind, he greeted Philippa more
MS n messenger than q sweetheart ant
suggested that she take a note to
friend of his. Philippa, blinded by he
affection, promised; and Bentley, as
surfing her that he would soon be GU
on bail, urged her to tell no one o
, her destination, but to be sure that tn
note was delivered promptly and to tn
person to whom it was addressed.
Meanwhile Mr.. AnneSSley, alone i
his room, received q warning tina
! there would be something doing a
"The Hole in the Wall" about eigh
: the same evening, and lost no time /
warning Peter and the Masked Strar
} ger.
Both Peter and Annessley wer
somewhat shaken by an incident
the morning. They had been walkin
\ when attracted by crowd. Bef0l
they could reach the spot they saw
dark Indy assisting policeman
2 carry girl to an auto, and the
) watched the machine vanish.
I Peter questioned a bystander.
Z "She's gone to the hospital" /
7 said. Sunny thing, too. That 81
} must have been attacked by THE
/ ANYHOW, her sleeve was torn ar
' there was a mark of Double Gro
! on her arm"
{ Anncssley looked at Peter, and P
! fer looked at Annessley; but there WI
{ no answer to the riddle, for no oil
i knew to what hospital the dark lat
I had gone nor how badly the mysterio1
+ woman had been hurt.
! Nevertheless, the warning letter
+ ceived by Annessley somehow conne'
! I'd itself with the incident of the NOR
/ Ing. The Masked Stranger, who hea
! the news on the phone, was equally
t tonished and agreed with the report
i that they both should be at 1.-THE lie
/ in the Wall" to see what happen
- there that evening.
While this conversation was goi
on Peter was trying to soothe Philip
who had returned to her friends hol
after the visit to the prison. To
surprise, she not only received h
but listened with apparent apprec
ton to his declaration that ne h
acted rs he had solely in her intere
Tm glad you're here" said Philip
'but have an appointment. and
must 60. Come some other time"
- Forced to leave, Peter walked
y little way up the street, resolved
J wait till the girl Of his heart ca
out.
When she finally came down
stems he followed her, and, to his gr
MS establishment, saw her enter
Fa' house Of the Masked Stranger.