Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-07

= they had laid him OH Il couch He was
coughing harshly, blood and they were
worried and helpless. AS for Scarlcy
he was In D. bad way, and too much
OF q doctor not TO know it. lie mo-
toned to his pocket. and the attendant
took out the will
II am dying" nc Casped. call MI.
Ramsay"
The attendant did so. and the Whit
ncf telephone rang jas: as Doris and
Ramsay were leaving the library.
Ramsay answered. anu Doris watched
kccniy as RamSays face indicated evil
den; disbelief of wha; he heard Evea
when the attendant held The trans
mi:tcr close 10 Scarlcy's lips and his
"o.ce came over The wire. thin ans,
weaH. Ramsay would not believe but
. tha' lie WAS Sha'nniing. Finally &c
hod!cd essen. and hung 10.
lie Takes n Chance.
VIVA: was i,?" asked Doris
"ScaFiey." replied Ramsay. puzzled
lie says that the Hidden Hand shot
hn--that lac is dying and wants to
surrender the will to you"
Doris was at once excited But Ram
say had had too much experience with
the iTcachcrous doctor who had pecu-
lated from the estate. j, had taught
him caution.
81; may be trap" lie fastened. II
had better 80 alone
Doris was at once more worried over
iiu than over herself.
BE careful Jack. for my sake" she
warned as lie started out
Ramsa" uied 10 rcassurc her, but
she sazcd with mingled love and fear
after him rs he left.
Down 10 the Office o, the consul.
had I1.s
l"cEct and the packet stoleh from the
Hidden Hand and Doris.
She inserted the lockct into the de-
preston in the side OF the packet.
turned IT, and the dangerous little
packet opened From it she took a
sheet Of paper with a tiny baby
suudSc she handed 1t TO the consul.
Who took II and studied first It and
then her hand
They are the same lines" he OK
claimed
Then l am the girl OF the prophecy
she cried, jumping UP.
The consul rose. came over 70 her,
droppcd on his knee and kissed her
, hand. You arc the Grand Duchess
/ Ai"A!I.' lie said. And | am com :
!nandcG 10 take you 20 the Emperor"
lie rose. and Ncrda regarded him
with wonder. ASK ing him 10 he seated
while they planned what to do. The
consul shook his head He could not
be seated before royalty She smiled.
and hc hastily sought Information OF
how they might return to the empire.
The Hidden Hand Waits.
Meanwhile OUTSIDE. Sonia had ar
! rived. and Was about to enter. when a
. strong hand detained her. She shud-
dcrcd TO 500 that tho Hidden Hand had
/ followed her all tho way.
Get me that lockct and packc, when
sigma! you. ana all Will be we'll" he
{ Missed.
! She asscnted, and lie allowed her to
enter. moment later her name was
announced To Ncrda and the consul.
Say nothing OF my identity" eau
. toned Ncrda as the consul signed TO
admit her. after he had replaced the
paper in the packet. Il do not trust
: hor"
lie nodded, then turned TO greet
Sonia. who smiled at Ncrda
/ Before either OF them knew il. Sonia,
: in her impaticnce. had seized tho locke,
and packet But the consul quickly.
snatchcd them back.
/ Outside, tho Hidden Hand had gained
admittancc 10 ,lt outer office, and
while Sonia and the consul talked,
managed TO convey a sign TO her She
seized tho lockct and packet again
/ Just as he stole into the room and in
I another instant he icapcd on the cen
sui. who fed
Give them TO me- he demanded o,
I Sonia. then to Nerda: why did YOU
bring them hcrc?"
! Ncrda was terrified but her nimble
mind was ready. The consul made
me- she replied slibly.
/ You come with me-" ordered the
/ Hidden Hand. scizinG her and hurryins
/ out with Sonia, whom he ordered.
! 'Erins Doris to me. She trusts you
/ now"
At scarley's. Ramsay dashed in with
! drawn revolver. As Scarley lay gasp
/ ing and choking. Ramsay saw that for
once I've had told the truth. He was
/ done for. Scarley motioncd TO the
I table.
| 1t is the last thing can do to re-
pay what have stolen from the
! estate. lie gaspcd. falling hack eX-
haustcd.
Ramsay picked up the paper on the
] table and read eagerly:
- and when ] returned to
/ America with the girl of the prophecy
/ found my own daughter, Doris. had
been born at the cost OF her mothers
+ !!fc.
Fearing attack by the Mad Monk. 7
sent the baby 10 Martin Crane. and on
his death brought her back TO my
house as Nerda Crane. his daughter and
I my ward.
! Therefore, &c my true daughter.
| Doris whitney, ] devise and be1ueath
! any entire estate without reserve"
Scnrley FnlIs Hack Dead.
/ lie read no more. a violent fit OF
choking overwhelmed Scarley, and he
fell hack--dcad. Ramsay tried to re-
vive him but he was beyond human
help While the attendant wept. Ram
say turned on the telephone, finally
managing to get an answer from the
! Whitney house.
Hello. Doris" he called. "Dr. Scar.
ley Is dead. and / have"
| The line was cut What did il mean
Only moment before. Sonia had
come TO the Whitney house and in
quircd for Doris. While the butler
went for her Sonia stood in the library.
near the telephone Just then Il
tinkled. She glanced about. There was
no one. II was n chance. She picked
up the receiver.
Instantly she recognized Ramsay's
ri