Charlevoix county herald., 1917-02-23


Guilty. had not trace of his older OBJ
session of hate impinged on his clear
ly outlined course of action.
He was once more himself, by this
time, walking with q limp that was
scarcely discernible. But as he stole
down from the higher ground and
made his way back towards the West.
ingham chimney flares he became
once more conscious Of the whittier
glare along the roadside he was SO
cautiously skirting. This, he remem-
bered, as he stole nearer, came from
the headlights of q stalled limousine
Then he made q second and a more
startling discovery. He knew. even
before he caught sight Of Train work
ing over his helpless car, that 1t be-
longed to Enoch Golden. But what
actually drew him closer to the spot
was a glimpse Of MaIgery Golden her.
self. in gray fur motor coat, as she
stepped from the body of the car and
came full into the glare Of the head
lights, closer beside her STOPPING
chauffeur.
Are we stalledr' he could hear the
girl ask.
We'll be OF again in q minute or
two. Miss Margery," was Trains pre-
occupied reply.
But I can't stand here helpless"
protested the girl. II can't wait. l
must know what has happened to Da-
vid Manley."
Whatever 1t was, IT'S over and
done by this time"
But he may be dead. He may be
lying crushed under those fallen pill
lars. ! must go on. Tell father
couldn't wait, that I've gone ahead
on foot!"
Legar, crouching back In the shaw
ows, heard these hurried words and
as hurriedly acted on them. Sinking
back through the bushes, he swung
about and followed the girl through
the darkness.
Yet It was not until the girl had
passed well out of hailing distance
Of the headlighted car that Legar
circled even more hurriedly forward
and swung In again to intercept her.
She was trudging, a little breath
lessly, up sandy slope, with her
straining eyes still fixed on the NOV
ing lanterns about the ruined mauso-
leum.
Then, swinging apparently out OF
the empty air about her, circle of
steel, suddenly encompassing her arm.
brought her to an abrupt stop.
With one quick movement Legar
tore the motor veil from her head,
twisted it into a coil, and flung 1t
about her neck. And all the while the
Iron Claw, graphing at her arm, held
her as a steel trap might.
She was already dizzy with pain
when she heard the sharp crack Of a
revolver shot close over her shoulder
This was followed by a quick shout
and muttered oath. She felt herself
forcibly flung from Legars arms into
the arms OF another man painting
breathlessly up the sandy slope. She
could see this man, even as he held
her from falling, stop to level his gun
at the fleeing figure of Legar. She
could see him shoot again, and still
again, at the same moment that Train
and the plunging automobile came
throbbing and painting up to the scene,
the electric lamps throwing out their
wavering, long columns of white light
as they came. Then the stranger, ar
rested by certain gasping and CUR
Cling sounds from the throat OF the
girl in his arms, stopped
down and tore the constructing ven
away from the slender, white column
Of her neck. And Margery, opening
her eyes, saw that 1t was the Laugh.
ing Mask bending above her.
1T was Legar!" she gasped az
Train, followed by her father, came
painting up to where they stood.
"And there he goes now!" cried the
Mask, pointing down the
long lane Of light columning out from
the cars lamps. Across that narrow
river OF light they could catch q
glimpse OF a tall figure skulking OF
into the darkness.
Follow that man with your car"
the Laughing Mask suddenly cried out
to the chauffeur.
mo car could travel through coun.
try like that" protested Train.
Then keep your lights on the main
road to the west here, so as to pick
him up II he tried to break through
on that side. I'll swing around by the
foundry yards and head him off In the
east"
And the next moment the man in
the yellow mask had disappeared in
the darkness. Golden and his daugh.
ter stood staring after him.
Two minutes later the blackness
that had swallowed him up was
stabbed by a series of flame flashes.
by the repeated bark OF a
revolver. From the gloom still nearer
he shadowy piles of the Westingham |
came an answering series Of
shots.
THAT means he's. making for the |
sir" cried the excited Train !
rs he swung his car about.