East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-03-05

What do you mean by saying you
'can make DIR. Montrose tell mer "
asked Harold in bewilderment. u
don't understand"
Elm that drawer" returned Felix
''is DR.. Montrose's diary. In that the
whole story of Pierre La Rue Is told.
You can read it for yourself"
Felix pulled eopen the drawer. A
glance told him the diary was gone.
But a second glance revealed to him
a loaded revolver lying within easy
reach of his hand.
On the instant Felix's paralysis of
fear departed. Now ne was the equal
yes, and more than the equal-of
the brutal giant whose finger-narks
still burned into the flesh of his
throat. His fingers closed on the
handle OF the revolver.
"weu?" said Harold peremptorily;
''where is the diary? Show it to me-
Put up your handsl" snarled Fe-
lix, the light of insanity blazing from
his shifty eyes.
Harold saw he had to do with a
dangerous maniac. He saw, too, that
one touch of the madman's trigger
finger was more powerful than every
muscle in his own mighty body. So
he did the only thing possible.
put your hands up!" reiterated
Eelix. his finger tightening on the
trigger.
Up went Harold Stanley's hands.
NOW" rasped out Felix in his
sharp, barking voice, step back SO!
Now againi And again!'
Harold obeyed Felix. at every
step, followed him up with the men
acing revolver.
At his third backward step Harold
found himself passing through the
panel opening. Felix, close in front
Of him slammed shut the panel,
leaving Stanley a prisoner in the
darkness of the secret passageway.
The moment the panel closed be-
tween him and Felix Harold threw
himself against the thick wood of the
panel to force his way out
But Felix's voice came to him. muf-
fed by the wood:
IF you touch that panel again I'll
empty this pistol through it,"
Stanley desisted. But the crash of
his single attack on the panel. had
rung through the whole house.
Some one has fallen, up in the
laboratory" cried Florence. Per
haps daddy has faintedv"
She ran upstairs. followed by Clay
ton. Felix heard them coming. For
an instant he hesitated, a savage
sneer on his lips, the revolver poised.
Then his nerve deserted him and
he skunk out of the laboratory just
in time to avoid them as they ran in.
'.whyl" exclaimed Florence. mo
one is here. l was sure heard"
A thump from behind a panel in
the wall interrupted her. She and
Clayton stared at each other.
What was that?" asked Bob.
ITS I-Harold Stanley" came the
mufifed answer. This panel is a slid
ing door Pun it aside and let me
out"
Marveling, Clayton obeyed the odd
command As the panel slid open
Stanley stepped out into the room.
why. Harold" Easped Florence.
What on earth-?"
He interrupted her with an appeal
ing gesture. then whispered a few
swift sentences in the astonished
Clayton's ear.
Then, as Clayton nodded assent and
ran from the room. Stanley turned
to the dumfounded girl.
Sweetheart he said. II can't tell
you anything now-except that the
crisis has come"
Without stopping to answer any OF
FIorence's eager questions he sped
down the stairs and out of the house.
The cripple who had been initiated
into the Crimson Stain gang at
Vanya Tosca's recommendation stood
alone in the big meeting room OF
Tanners upper East Side apart
he.
secret summons. And he was wait
ing. He had not long to wait. For
presently Pierre la Rue came in.
with him was the man who always
at these meetings wore black mask
to conceal his identity even from
his confederates.
An instant later Tanner himself
entered the room. accompanied by
Vanya Tosca and Morrison.
Ia Rue glanced around at his as
sembled henchmen. Then stepping
forward he began to speak.
Il called this meeting" he said,
to"
Never mind what you called IL
for" cut in Tanner. Just for n
change, les We and not you who are
going 10 do the talking. You listen
to what I've got 20 sayl"
Pierre Ia Rue's = = face con-
tracted in anger az sign of open
rebellion. SThe Crimson Stain began
20 smolder hotly in the fathomless
depths of his eyes
whats that?" he snarled. "'AIu-
tiny. eh? u"
'Mutiny. il you like" retorted
Tanner, his gnawing need for the
drug overcoming momentarily his
awe of Ia Rue. ''Mutiny or any
thing else YOU choose TO call it.
We've found out who you really
are. chief. And unless you give US
our share Of the drug right along.
whenever we need il. we're going 20
tip the cops 20 the news about you"
La Rue's rage momentarily changed
to dread. But in an instant he was
himself again. His long. powerful
fingers fiexed as for q grip. He edged
n step nearer TO Tanner. and the
Crimson Stain blazed luridly.
You're Harold Stanley. That's whs
you arei"
why, You poor fooll" ruared
Pierre in a spasm OF mirth. You
really think"
A long. shrfn blast Of a police whis-
tie broke in upon his mocklng words.
II rs-aa foifoyved bv auofhpr and an