East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-02-27
NoveZfzed By ALBERT PAYSON TERFTUNE
from the Consolidated Notion Picture Triumph

For as soon as the procession was
safely out OF sight Of the house Par
rish came to a halt. Without a word
he unlocked the handouts, toQk thsm
from his captives' wrists, poclSeted
the jingling bracelets, and, with a
grunt, walked away, leaving the four
prisoners free to go whittier they
chose.
Florence MoAtrose ran UP the broad
staircase and to the laboratory. She
found her father standing before a
mirror, shal1ily readjusting his rum
pied collar and tie.
Daddy" she exclaimed. in quick
anxiety. Ibid they hurt you terri
bly,? Are you feeling any better?"
"Oh. I'm all right again." he an
swered, forcing himself to speak light
ly. Thanks to you. You got here
before they could do more than man
handle me bit. Now that I've got
my breath back"
Tell mel" she begged. "Who are
those awful people? Why should
they have tried to kill you? How had
you offended them? Oh, there's a.
mystery of some sort. / feel there is.
Clear 1t up for me, Daddy"
Il can't explain now, dear" said DIR.
Montrose. II have no right to. And
YOU wouldn't understand. If I've
done wrong, remember always that 1
am risking my life to repair it. That
is all 1 have right to say, now.
Think as kindly of me as you can.
And. If you love me, don't ask me
anything more about what has just
happened"
As Layton Parrish CHANGED to pass
Clayton's studio on his way down.
town, he saw Vanya Tosca enter the
building, just in front of him, for her
thrice-a-week pose for the 'Deliah"
picture. The detective felt a stir at
his heart, as he always did at sight
of the model.
For weeks, he had been unable to
get her alluring beauty out of his
mind. Acting on quick impulse, he
followed her into the building and up
stairs to Clayton's studio.
He felt little twinge Of jealousy to
see Vanya take a key from her pocket
and unlock and open the studio door.
Then he reflected that she was merely
Bob's model. And the twinge passed.
He stepped into the studio without
knocking. Clayton had not yet, ar
rived. Vanya stood in the middle
OF the room, drawing off her long
suede gloves.
At sight of Parrish she seemed
slightly surprised. But, recovering
herself, she came smiling toward him.
So lovely did she look, with the sun
shine making a halo of golden illu-
mination around her, that the detec-
tive for an instant lost his wonted
seif-control.
with a wordless exclamation. he
caught Vanya to his breast. How she
might have taken this whiriwind
form of courtshlp he had no chance of
discovering. For. at that moment.
the outer door swung open and Bob
Clayton walked into the studio.
Bob stopped at the threshold.
aghast at what he saw. Vanya,
catching sight of him over Parrish's
shoulder, at once pulled free from the
detectives embrace and moved un-
certainly toward the artist.
She timidly laid one ungioved hand
on C1ayton's sleeve. but Bob shook of
the white fingers as IL their touch
burned him.
"Go, pleased" he said, steadying his
voice by a visible effort and pointing
to the still open door. Vanya glanced
doubtfully from the speaker to Par
rish. The detective grinned.
Come along, dear" he said. lead
ing the way to the door. I'VE don't
seem very popular here"
For a full minute after they left Bob
Clayton stared in mute despair at the
closed door. Then, with a sigh that
was almost a groan. he sank down on
a divan and covered his face with his
hands.
He had loved the worthless woman.
And. until now, he had never been
able wholly 20 realize her true char
acter. 1t was a bitter awakening
for the infatuated man.
Presently he got up and moved to
the window, unconsciously seeking a
last look at the woman who had just
wrecked his illusions.
His glance swept the street below.
He saw nothing of Vanya. But his
eyes fell on a man who was walk
ing rapidly along the opposite side
OF the street. And. even at that dis
tance. he recognized the pedestrian as
Pierre Ia Rue.
Glad TO have some occupation-be it
ever so perilous-to take his mind of
his grief. Clayton snatched up his
hat and ran down the stairs, two
steps at time. to the street
La Rue was just rounding the next
corner as Bob emerged upon the side
walk. The artist gave chase. follow
ing swiftly but cautiously.
After awhile, as he -trailed his man
Bob realized. from the direction
Pierre was taking, that the Crimson
Stain chief was evidently planning a
visit TO the Montrose house
Clayton a moment later followed
him indoors and up along. the pas.
sage leading to the panel. He saw
the panel opened. just ahead OF him
and saw Ia Rue pass through into
the room beyond e.
Cautiously. Bob stepped into tho
laboratory. As he did so he felt him
self seized by two hands as muscular
: as a gorilla's, that dug deep into hii
throat.
Clayton tiled TO tear himself fire.
and to grappls with the man who has
Iured him thither and then had ~
easily trapped him. But as his eye
met La Rue's he felt his strength
, ooze away.
Long and silently La Rue held tn
Z others fascinated gaze, as a serpen
Il said 20 hold q birds. Then Pierr'
, Ioosed his grasp on the hypnottze'
mana throat and turned toward tn