The Raymer enterprise., 1917-02-08

Even as the Knife Was Raised to
Strike, the Miracle Happened.
the fields toward Seven Oaks hill,
looming across the valley. A few mo
ments later the stalwart police cap
tain and his two men came pounding
over the same course, but at a some
what slower and heavier gait.
Far down In those buried chambers
under the hill, for which those striving
figures were headed, wolfish-faced
man desperately clawed at the pile Of
rock and debris choking the tunnel.
Suddenly with an eellike movement
he wriggled through the narrow pas
sage he had effected, and staggered
like drunken man toward the ladder,
his scar-ravaged face livid with dread
apprehension.
He made his way through the OPEN
ing and stood confusedly blinking In
the bright food OF sunlight. The next
moment running figure bore down
upon the outlaw from the other side
Of the rock. There was a sudden I'M
pact of colliding bodies and Jules Le-
gar and the Laughing Mask stood in
dazed uncertainty, staring into each
others eyes.
BY warily .evading the menace Of
that terrible claw of iron, the masked
mystery, with sudden trick Of jap
anese origin, sent his heavier oppo-
nent toppling over backward. Then,
before Legar could regain his balance,
the Laughing Mask slipped through
that still open passage into the bowl
der, the panel closing sharply as he
stepped on the platform. The next In
stant Legar found himself face to face
with Captain Bracket and the two de-
tectives, who had been hot on the trail
of the Laughing Mask.
Before Legar could draw his gun
those three heavy and resolute officers
ayalanched themselves upon him, bury
ing him under their combined weight
as he crashed to the ground. :
To Margery Golden, still lying on
that narrow rocky ledge, expecting
every moment an attack from out Of
the dark, the passing time had seemed
Ike fearful eternity. She had heard
Black Tony creeping about below her
in an apparently futile search for his
flashllght.
Then came low cry Of triumph and
thin streak Of light wavered upon
her. She saw the sinister, leering face
of the swarthy italian as he came
steadily nearer. She shrank back
against the rough wall as long, ta-
pering knife, clutched In sinewy fin
gers, came reaching toward her. It
seemed certain that nothing short Of
miracle could save her. But even
as the knife was raised to strike, the
miracle happened.
The apparently solid wall behind her
suddenly gave way and Margery felt
herself quickly pulled through an open
Ing by strong, tender arms. She was
vaguely conscious of being borne up q
ladder and presently a gentle breeze
famed her cheek. When the fresh air
had revived her and she became ac-
customed to daylight she saw the
Laughing Mask bending over her.
Il had feeling up to the very last
that you would save me-" she mur-
INJURED gratefully.
1T was lucky knew about the old
ventilating shaft connecting tof s.he
galleries In the mine," he modeallaggg re
piled; ut will be quite safe for you to
90 home now, for I happen to know
that Legar himself is captured and his
men have all met the final punishment
they so richly deserved"
But Margery fixed a pleading look
upon her masked savior.
Cant you see how / am tortured BY
this terrible uncertainty" she said in
suppllcating tones. ''if you really love
me, you will tell me who you are"
For moment the Laughing Mask
hesitated, then he slowly raised tha,,
yellow visor which so long had pre-
served the secret of his identity.
Transfixed with wonder, Margery
stood gazing upon the face Of her
companion. A little cry broke from
her lips, cry that might have sagni.
fled either Joy or sorrow.
ITO BE CONCLUDNDl