Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-04-27

a look arOun', an the switch explod-
in the big blast is In that shanty just
up the way. / seen 1t when l took a
peek in the winder. That dagO watch
man is sittin' right over 1t, but I've
got somethin' here that ought to put
him to sleep for a while"
He produced from one Of his pOck-
cts a heavy blackjack, and this eff
fectlve method Of disposing Of the
quarry guard meeting with Legar's
approval, the two conspiratOrs moved
In the direction Of the nearby shanty.
But even at that moment fate or
dalned the happening Of a certain in
cldent which tended to give Legar's
proposed victims, crouching at the
foot Of that great wall Of granite, a
barely possible chance for their lives.
And In that unexpected incident the
Laughing Mask. took the leading part.
AS, completely exhausted from his
first burst of speed, he stumbled fall
terlngly along the dust-choking road
toward Wharton's quarry, he had al
most %relinquished hope of being In
time to warn the imperiled girl, whose
self-appolnted protector he had been.
. . . .
Then Laughing Mask in his despair
heard the hoarse and repeated cough
ing of an automobile horn as the i'm
patient driver of a car rapidly APP
preaching from behind signaled for
a clear road. But instead Of heed
ing those raucous notes Of warning
the Laughing Mask swung about and,
planting himself in the middle Of the
highway, resOlutely faced the oncom-
ing automobile. With a sudden grind
ing Of brakes the surprised and
highly incensed driver of that car
brought 1t to a Earring stop within
a few scant feet Of the determined
figure dlsputlng its passage. AS the
man at the steering wheel caught
sight Of the yellow mask covering the
face Of that figure he quickly ished
under the seat and produced a heavy
wrench.
"You can't pull this hold-up stuff
on me and get away with It," he
growled angrily.
I'm not holding you up" came the
quick answer, "but I've got to get to
the stone quarry down the rOad and
get there In a hurry. It's a matter Of
life and DEATH"
81 don't fall for that bunk" the
driver retOrted sharply; 'get there
IL you want to, but not in this car"
The Laughing Mask realized every
second was precious and that the
other obstinately believed him a high
way robber.
Perhaps this will help persuade
you to change your mind" he cried
as he drew a black automatic and
sprang upon the running board Of the
automobile. Thrusting the muzzle of
the revolver against the startled man,
he raped out In tones that precluded
further argument, "Now drive like the
devil for Wharton's quarry or I'll emp
ty this gun into you'll"
There was no disputing that insist
emily prOdding revolver, and the car
shot forward as the Overawed driver
realized the desperate man in the
mask meant business. It would be
but a matter Of a few moments be-
fore that speeding, swaying car Gov
cred the remaining distance, but even
In that brief lapse Of time Jules Legar
might succeed In carrying out his ter
rible plan of revenue, For at that
instant the SCARED outlaw Knocked
sharply on the sagging door of the
watchman's shanty with his iron hook,
while Dutch Frank slipped out of
sight behind one side of the roughly
boarded structure. There came the
sound Of shufiing feet and then the
italian pushed open the door and
stood interrogatively blinking at his
sinister caller.
"Pm on my way back to town"
Legar said in a smooth voice, "and
somehow / got switched or the main
road. I thought maybe you could set
me straight"
AS the obllging and unsuspecting
foreigner advanced a few steps be-
yond the shelter Of his doorway In
order to point out the proper dlrec-
ton inch by inch there crept up be-
hind him a s~avage-faced gangster,
holding poised and ready to strike a
murderOus-looking blackjack. Sudden.
ly that bludgeon descended with ter
rife impact en- the watchman's skull,
sending him heavily to the ground,
where he lay inert and motionless.
As Dutch Frank stood with a UrueI
smile surveying the result Of HIS
handiwoTk Lsgar stepped oveE the