The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-01
EIGHTH EPISODE
THE HAUNTED HAND.

study. took the clipping from the hand
Of Louie Lamb. It detailed briefly how
4 man and woman had been rescued
from the wreck of balloon by Nc
Quarrie. the keeper Of Pilot Light,
Ave mics of the coast.
'sIt's them" said Louie, as Sebastian
finished reading and handed back the
clipping.
'Curse them!" said Sebastian with
much feeling. "Why can't we ever
get out of this tangle. Louie7"
Louie Lamb only looked at him
quizzically.
Its your wife and that man Raven
gar" said Louie. There amt no doubt
of 1t. The balloon caught fire, just as
1 had arranged. but they escaped. l
guess they're immortal and there amt
no way of killing them on"
"Louie. you'll have to investigate
this" said Sebastian.
II guess might" said Louie with a
meaning smile.
"Well1" demanded Sebastian impa-
tiently.
but ain't settling the overhead ex-
penses of this partnership. senor. The
price. II you please"
Sebastian pulled out his pocketbOok
and peeled OF five one hundred-dollar
bills. Louie looked at them, counted
them. and slipped them into his pocket
"I'll go and see." he said. rising.
"And II you md any way Of getting
rid of them. don't wait to telephone me
nRst. aaid Sebastian sarcastically.
When Louie had gone he began pac-
ing his study with feverish anxiety.
Everything seemed going wrong. Since
he had sent his rival, Jerry Carson,
to prison, and married LeOntine, he
had regretted his participation In the
crime times without number. He had
tred Of Leontine. but she had refused
to divorce him until he had confessed
to his share In the conspiracy against
Jerry. her dead lover.
Then there arose before his mental
vision the face of Blanca, the beautiful
criminal for whose sake he had aban-
doned his hopes Of reconciliation with
bis wife. Blanca His face softened.
She would help him out Of his trou-
bles. He would ask her to come away
With him somewhere where they could
both start their lives anew together.
He put on his hat and made his way
toward Bianca's house.
Bianca, meanwhile. was In the midst
of one of those domestic scenes that
were 30 narrowing to her followers
1t was several days since she had
trapped Ravengar in her cellar. The
mans mysterious disappearances and
reappearances had seemed to her su-
perstitious mind proof Of some occult
power welded by him.
She had gone down to the cellar to
make him fpal proposition. not less
than the entiys offer Of her heart and
fortune. Hi love seemed to her the
only thing "a life just then.
And she had found the cell empty.
Ravengar had escaped, in spite of locks
and padlocks, and a triple guard of
Chinese attendants.
She called her followers and over
whelmed them with her fury.
In the midst of the scene Sebas-
t1an's card was presented to her. In
stantly she grew calm. Bianca's head
ruled her heart. Though she loved
Ravengar, she was well aware that
she could bring Sebastian to her feet
at any moment.
She dismissed Ravengar from her
mind temporarily and. few minutes
later was greeting Sebastian with an
alluring smile that conveyed in worn-
ans subtle manner, the possibility OF
more than the conventiOnality OF the
welcome disclosed.
81 am IN trouble" began Sebastian.
Blanca seated herself upon the
lounge beside him. ''Tell E1e your trou-
BILE. Seaor Navarro" she said, bending
toward him.
Through the terrific storm that beat
about the lighthouse LeOntine was con-
oclous only Of supreme happiness in
2Avengar's presence.