The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-08

THE ELK \
speaking. Leontine hesitated for I
moment. Then she went bravely for
ward. She felt that she was safer ii
the hands of the three than In those o
Sebastian.
One man preceded her, the other
ranged themselves on either side o
her as they went down the wide stair
way. AS they passed alOng the pas
sage outside Sebastian's room, the doc
opened, and Leontine saw him stand
ing there, watching her, look of sat
isfnction upon his face.
And suddenly she saw the figure UI
her dead lover again. He was stand
ing mt the top of the stairs, gazing di
rectly at her. AT the same instant hel
captors and Sebastian saw the ghost
also, and they staggered back, leaving
Leontine for the moment alone.
Jerry Carson's hand was upraised
as if to warn the party to proceed nc
farther.
One of Leontine's cs.ptors had re-
volver in his coat pocket. He placed
his hand to the trigger and fired
through the cloth at the ghost.
The figure of Jerry staggered and
then fell down the stairs. 1t tumbled
over the balustrade and disappeared.
Instantly the three, together with Sc
bastian, hurried in pursuit.
But when they reached the bottom
of the stairs there was no sign Of
Jerry.
Leontine had not moved from where
returned and led her, not urgently,
down into the hall, and into the au-
tomobile that waited outside in an
alley.
A few moments earlier a speeding
auto had been held up by two police
men. The discussion waxed warm.
The offender was about to be taken to
the station when figure came run
ming out of Sebastian's house.
Somebody wants help in there!" 1t
cried to the policemen. 81 heasd a
shot fired. Better go and see!" And
he pointed toward the rear entrance.
Dropping their captive, the police
men leaped into the auto and drove to
the rear entrance around the corner
of the block, just in time to see the
auto with the men and Leontine
emerging.
The police yelled to the driver to
stop. The auto sped faster. A wild
chase followed through the suburban
streets and toward the river, along
the edge of the high cliff.
For few moments the fugitives
seemed to gain; then the police auto
leaped forward and began to overhaul
them.
"Stop or I fire!" yelled one of the
policemen, standing up in his seat.
A bullet from the fleeing auto an
swered him. The chauffeur screamed
and his hand dropped from the wheel
The policeman fired in answer. but the
car swerved and the bullet went wild
Leontine, gazing back in terror, saw
the police auto swerve toward the
edge of the cliff. The chauffeur had
fallen to the bottom OF the car. One
| of the policemen tried TO catch the
wheel. But it was too late. The car
was rushing on toward the precipice
IL lOppIeu OVER, tuc lIolt WueciS SuuIu
ing up the chalky edge of the cliff
hung there n moment, and suddenly
went plunging downward into the
depths below.
LeOntine sank shuddering beck ir
her seat, while the auto drove back
by devious ways, toward Bianca'i
house.
! BE gentler with her"
The men who were leading Leontin,
into BIanca's bOudOir. somewhat rough
ly. released their captive and took of
their masks.
ats all right for you to say that
Madam Bianca," sneered the maj
whom she had addressed. But that
what you said about your last pigeon
that guy Ravengar-and where is hi
today?"
Right here, friends" came Raven
gar's crisp tones from chair besid'
the fireplace.
All turned in terror at the sount
and saw him seated In the chair
With an oath the man who hat
spoken to Blanca leaped back. OF
Bianca's face were two expressions
terror at Ravengar's powers, joy tina
he had returned.
''Take her to the room upstairs an,
lock her up for the present" she said
When she was left alone with Raw
engnr she looked at him in wonder