Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-03-16

face was all twisted up with sufferin'
and full of deep lines and wrinkles
Then seen his hair was all streaked
with gray. When he spoke to me he
was healthy young Teller, but when
l found him he was like some old man
about 20. what had died Of some awful
disease. That's about all an I don't
see how"
But Margery did not wait to hear
the concluding remarks Of the detec-
tive. for at this point she abruptly
hung up the receiver. Here was news
OF startling character which must
be impaired to the masked guardian
Of her safety without loss Of time.
Without stopping to even catch up a
hat, she slipped out of her room and
down the stairway. AS she tiptOed
softly past the living-room, the door
suddenly opened and Captain Brack-
EFT and Walters stood on the thresh-
old. The stern-faced officer watched
the slender girl as she went out Of the
front door and closed it behind her.
Then he turned to his crestfallen sub
ordinate.
"Never mind dom what I was tell
in you, Walters" he tersely command
ed. II want you to shadow that young
woman. Don't lose sight Of her for
q minute"
So 1t happened that when Margery
Golden nQucn6 hx, hn to- -;
bowlder on Seven Oaks Hill hawk
faced detective was hidden not ten
PAGES distant behind one of the great
trees from which the ridge took its
name. He saw the girl glance fur
lively about her, and then from her
pursed lips came low, thrilling call
like that of bird. After brief in
terval she repeated this signal, and
presently a yellow-masked man came
stealthily around the side of the
great bowlder. The hidden listener
caught enough Of what Margery Col
den was saying to become aware that
she was recOunting, almost word for
word, his own story of the escape of
Jules Legar.
II have theory Of my own as to
what was used to kill Jenkins in
that fearful manner" the Laughing
Mask was saying, land l am going
to find out tonight whether / am right
or wrong. Legar's followers have all
been wiped out with the exception Of
a man calling himself Skidmon. He
was known as brilliant scientist I'M
til he contracted the drug habit, and
then, when he was down and out, he
fell in with Legar. He lives in
old house at the foot of
the blind alley south of Washington
square.
At that moment the detective,
burning with zeal to make up for the
escape Of Jules Legar by the sudden
capture Of the Laughing Mask, SUD
1enly emerged from behind the oak
rec and rapidly advanced upon the
startled pair. AS the Laughing Mask
larted around the bOwlder toward the
secret door leading into the subterra-
lean retreat, Margery planted herself
lirectly In the path Of the oncoming
Walters.
you've about gone the limit this |
line, young woman" he snarled as
le seized her slender wrist in his |
powerful grasp. IAN we'll see what |
he chief thinks Of your helpin' that |
riminal make getaway"
A little later the burly Walters
aled his frail prisoner into the living
DOM, where her father and the de-
ectives were still gathered. Captain
'rackett, Tuning with anger, tried |
is utmost to wiring from her the |
ecret Of the bowlder, but his rapidly
olleyed questions failed to break her
phinxlike silence. Finally her loving
ut sOrely tried father locked her in
er bedroom to prevent her further
Interference. Hastily going to her i'm
romptu dictaphOne, Margery heard
ne voice Of Walters repeating what
ne Laughing Mask had said about
kidmon, the last of Legar's bench
len. When he had finished, the blat-
Mt tones Of Captain Bracket came
yer the thread Of copper.
sour best move will be to watch
he house of this Skidmon," he an
ounced decisively, "an' when our man
Dmes along We'll nab him. If we're
layin' in luck we might get Legar in
lie same dragnet."
AS Margery replaced the receiver
ne realized the Laughing Mask was
with grave danger. In
)me way she must warn him. But
lere seemed no possibility of escap-
lg from the bedroom. Then q sudden
,heme flashed into her mind, which
lie fastened to put into execution.
To mislead her father she tied the
ed sheet to the window sill, and when
lat gentleman discovered the sup
osed escape, he ran to the shrubbery !
eneath the window. Then Margery
ole out Of the closet and silently ,
ent her way in her car.
AS Margery paused in front Of a
small old rookery she suddenly per- [
lived In the moonlight a shadowy {
rm mounting steadily upward on {
e narrow fire-escape ladder. When s
at stealthy prowler stepped onto {
e iron platform just outside the I
yhted window she saw 1t was the
ring masker and realized she was I
o late to warn him. Before she |