The Raymer enterprise., 1917-01-25


his extortion-resisting compatriots. For
this reason Legar had prepared
rough diagram, which he now carefully
explained to the furtiye-eyed black
mailer.
That this diabolical undertaking was
entirely to the liking Of Black Tony
was evidenced by his evil. yellow
toothed grin as he took the paper from
Legar's fingers and placed II In his
pocket. Carrying a small and we'll
worn black bag. he started blithely
forth on his terrible errand Of destruc-
ton.
Dressed in a rusty tuxedo, the sup
posed waiter emerged from the gayly
striped marquee where the long sup
per table was receiving Its finishing
touches and paused for a moment on
his way TO the small service tent
which was pitched near by. His eyes
rored over that asselnblage much rs
the eyes of cold-blooded butcher
might appraise flock Of sheep herded
for slaughter. As his glance rested
upon the massive oak towering over
the refreshment tent, he made little
grimace Of evil satisfaction.
Several feet from Its base the great
trunk had been nearly sawn through
by Legar's picked henchmen. And
now their ruthless handiwork had
been supplemented by the charge Of
powerful explosive which waited only
the spark of ignition to send that
huge oak patriarch crashing down up
on the flimsy affair Of canvas under
Its branches.
The dark-skinned Italian, exulting
over the successful completion of the
first part Of his deadly mission, stood
amidst a scene Of wondrous beauty.
High In the heavens swung the full
moon. casting Its mellow effulgence
over shimmering lake and wooded hill.
Dispelling the wavering shadows were
myriads Of softly glowing lights. fes-
toonlng the trees and bespangling the
shrubbery. From the rose garden came
the sound of gently splashing fountains
as they flung their silyery cascades
into the scented air. Beautifully
| gowned women and their somber clad
escorts danced on the yelvety lawns to
the softly swelling music of the great
orchestra. or strolled arm In arm about
this brilliant land Of enchantment.
A slender. golden-haired girl was
the center of q laughing group. As
she caught sight Of something moy-
Ing at her feet she stopped and picked
up sleepy and Endangered collie
puppy, which she held snuggled In
her arms for a moment.
"Now. Sandy" she admonished, as
she set him down, 1T Is time all good
little dogs were In bed, SO run home
as fast as YOU can
The dutiful Sandy started for the
house In obedience to the commands
of his mistress, but as he passed the
caterers service tent sundry whifYs
and odors assalled his nostrils with
an insistent temptation that was not
to be denied. He quietly slipped
through that inviting opening and.
finding no one 70 dispute him. nosed
inquisitively into various hampers Of
savory edibles. As the clumsy puppy
bumped against an improvised table
consisting Of board resting on two
barrels. a large bowl containing q
siruplike mixture toppled onto his
back and delused him with Its entire
contents.
At that moment there entered the
tent a swarthy Italian dressed in the
garb of waiter. Either through O
doggish distrust of this forbiddlne
figure or because Of a guilty dread
Of the punishment his recent mis-.
chief might bring. the sirup-drenched
puppy slunk into dark corner OF the
tent and waited for Black Tony to
leave. But that worthy showed nc
Immediate intention Of departure. In,
stead he seated himself on a cracker
box and studied a small square ol
paper with every evidence of salts
faction.
He made q movement to stun thai
soiled bit of parchment into his hip
pocket, but In his haste he missed
the pocket and the paper fell to the
ground. where pun Of wind. creep
ing under the tent, futtered 1t under
the nose Of the frightened puppy. He
shifted at 1t curiously. but the gluellke
substance now soaking through his
shaggy coat was q matter needing
much more urgent attention. Forget
ting the menace Of that repellent
stranger, he rolled frantically on bis
back, endeavoring to rid himself Of
that cohering and exasperating nquid