The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-08
Il am glad you have come back to

Il am glad you have come back tt
me-" she said softly.
An amused smile hovered about Raw
engar's face. I'm glad you are glad
little one" he answered lightly.
"IYl warrant you won't leave again
in n hurry!" cried the woman in fury
which was accentuated by Ravengnrs
mocking bow. She pressed her bell
Two attendants entered promptly.
Lock him in the strong room," She
announced.
| They frisked Ravengar hurriedly Tor
weapons, but found nothing. Then'
seizing him, one by either arm, they
hurried him toward the door.
The strong room was in the hallway
outside Bianca's bOudOir. In this room
were stored Bianca's stolen goods un-
til they could be disposed of. AS her
plunder was considerable, 1t was
large room. 1t was built into the wall,
and was, to all appearance, one with
1t, so that its discovery on the part OF
anyone who did not suspect its exis-
tence would be practically impossible.
But the wooden exterior of the door
was lined with steel jacket, the walls
were of steel, and the ceiling also.
There was, in short, no possibility for
anyone, securely shut in 1t. to escape.
"This time I've got you," solilOquized
Blanca as the men went upstairs with
their prisoner.
Meanwhile Ravengar accompanied
his captors quietly to the door of the
strong room. They thrust him inside.
81 guess this will hold him." said
knob to the proper combination.
"If it won't, there's nothing will.'
answered the other.
They locked the door and went bnck
to announce to Blanca the fulfillment
of their mission.
Upstairs LeOntine found herself a
prisoner in an ordinary bedroom. 1t
was preferable being here to being a
prisoner of Sebastian.
She loathed him, and she would new
er set eyes on him again, save ut the
moment when she could wiring the
secret from him. And more and more
she was coming to believe that in
Ravengar lay the key to the mystery.
He had come back, he had been In
Bianca's house when she was brought
there. He would come to aid her. I'm.
consciously she spoke his name.
AT your service, LeOntine," an
swered the well-knOwn voice; and
lavengar stepped out from behind the
curtains that hung before the win
dow.
BE brave and all will come out
WE'LL" he said. 1.-THE play is nearly
ended. may have to leave you alone
again, but never fear. The memory OF
Jerry will support you in every dan
ger"
Suddenly the door opened. On the
threshold stood Blanca. AS she caugh,
sight of Ravengar her eyes blazed with
passion, and her voice shook us she
| asked:
"What are you doing here? How
did you get heref"
Ravengar made his courtly, mOckinG
bow. and replied: my dear lady. tt
be here is the only reason why l re
turned to your hOspitable house."
Blanca turned to her men, who were
behind her. "Tnke him away" sht
cried, stamping furiously.
They seized Ravengar and ran hin
down the stairs toward the strong
room again, Blanca following, pouring
out her wrath and fury against them
"How did he get away?" she cried.
| eve locked him in
"You are lying. There is no way o
getting out of the strong room II tn
combination is set properly"
One of the men turned upon her
"Say, madame, guess you know ther'
amt no locks can hold him." he re
| tOrted.
| Ravengar, meanwhile, thrust int,
the dark room, leaned buck smilin,
against the wall. His mockery mad
Blanca almost frantic.
"You are pack of fools ~ she cried
'.Tll set the combination this time"
| And, slamming the heavy door, sh,
adjusted her lock and clicked it. Sh'
called her men to her room.
"See that there is no further troubl,
with that woman upstairs" she sale
significantly. make clean job Of II
and, when you are through, you cal
carry her out of the old waterwa.
gate"
! Without compunction the two mel