The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1917-08-10

dtnce made him hesitate. AS 1t turned
out, he would have done wisely to
have acted at once, for in the mean
time Bentley had not been idle.
That gentleman, left to his Devices
took stock in himself and then began
to evolve methods of escape from his
bondage. He found that he could get
to the table telephone, and by painful
efforts took down the receiver. Having |
done this, he called his lieutenant
but this was as far as he got, for no
sooner had he given Central the num-
Der than the wire ceased to work, ana
all his wild jigglings failed to pro-
duce even the hint Of response.
If Mr.. Bentley had possessed such
eyes as the court attributed to Sam
Weller he would have been able to e1-
plain the sudden cutting-off of the wire
For instance, he would have seen
the masked stranger holding the phone
receiving the number and then
adroitly shipping the wires with PAIR
of clippers. Having done this, ne
smiled, for Bentley's action was just
what he had planned 1t should be.
With the number in his possession, ne
slipped away, leaving Bentley to seek
other means of freeing himself from
the bonds that held him.
But Bentley was not the only impa-
tient one in the strange drama of cir
cumstances. Buck, his lieutenant, was
waiting for a call and receiving none,
decided to take hand in the proceed
ings. The result of his determination
was registered in phone call to Bent
lev's house, and as Peter was posing
as Bentley he answered the phone.
"Yes, this is Bentley-everythlng Is
all right-you say you are coming up?"
Peter hung up the phone. "Who
was it?" asked one of the men. NO
body but Buck" said Peter. He real
lied that he must hurry, and telling
the men that he must see the girl, left
the room.
Bucks announcement of his impend-
ing visit had stirred Peter to the ne
cessity of getting Philippa away az
once without exciting suspicion. Un'
! fortunately he had delayed too long
for in the meantime Mr.. Bentley, by
adopting the ingenious expedient OF
lighting a match with his teeth, mac
set fire to "a matchbox and, holding his
bound wrists over the fame, had man
aged to sever the cords at great physl
cal pain to himself as well as danger
|. to the room in which he was impris
, oned.
Accommodating swiftly, he discov
cred that the way was apparent.
clear, and spared no time In creeping
downstairs. He hailed passing tax
and urged the chauffeur to hurry, an
thus it happened that about the sam
moment that the anxious Buck arrive
| at the front door, he met his master
much the worse for wear.
l. But before the two men could ente
the house the Masked Stranger ha
forestalled them-Once in possessio
i of the telephone number he kneN
| where Bentley would go once he wa
free, nor was he long in reaching tn
house.
Il The Masked Stranger did not hes
| tate-he gained access to the nous
Il Once inside the house, he lay hiddel
Il determined to shape his course
II events dictated. He had not long
i wait, for while Peter was telling Phi
i lima that they would slip out quiet
3 Bentley and Buck mounted the stair
q To add to the approaching climax Il
q men left behind in the room just qul
q ted by Peter began In spirit OF i
y lity to try on his hat and on looklr
Il inside discovered his initials, whic
n needless to say, did not resemble b.
@ the man they supposed they were ser
d ing.
81 They started out to investigate b
neither they nor Bentley noticed Il
Masked Stranger.
Supporting Philippa, now trit
We calmer, Peter came face to face wi
ID Bentley and drew his gun. The han
nd of the two men shot up and Philip
&c. fled back to the room which she h
just left.
all But Peters triumph was OF she
60 duration; he was attacked from
he hind by the ruffians hired by Bentl'
he who now that they realized how tn
m- had been duped were anxious
settle scores on their own account.
Inc In the wild melee Peter stumbl
OF. to the stairs and Buck dashed II
TED the room where Philippa stood
~ bay.
ls' Bentley was passing the word Il
Jpd no4, ,,,os IN no shown no quar-