Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10


and. with Shrek, the cmissary fell
through. down into the black water.
They could hear him splashing about
as he tried to grasp at something on
the smooth edge of the cistcrn and
found nothing 10 grasp. There was no
escape from the trap.
moment they waited. not knowing
what to do. Just then bullet shat
tered pane OF glass in the window
then another and another.
Ramsay and Doris dropped to the
floor. creeping along the wall out Of
range OF the shots.
The Hidden Hand waited for a signal
from his cmissary, and. no signal COM
ing, had known that his plot had mis-
carried. 1t was then that he ordered
his men to fire and close in on the
| lodge.
Ramsay looked about quickly. Es-
cape by the door was evidently cut off.
That was the direction Of the shots
He turned toward q back window Out
OF it he assisted Doris. and 4 moment
later they were away along a back
trail.
den Hand. You fellows get around
the chasm. on the other side. Head
them off If they go that way, at the
head of the bridge. III cut Off tho
other end"
! BY this time Doris and Ramsay had
I'll they had reGaincd the trail to the
waiting flivver. They knew that part
of the gang at least was hard after
them, and rcdoubled their speed.
| Through the thick undcrbrush they
ran. following the trail until they could
see the bridge, not far ahead of them
They darted for it. Back of them was
tho gang Of the Hidden Hand Pell-
NELL they started over the swaying
! footbridge
! Half way over there came a shout
from the other side The other half
of the sang. crossing the chasm fur
Their up and hurrying. had gained the
opposite end CT the bridge.
There was no escape. They were
trapped, in the open on the crafty
swaying foot bridge.
What were they to do? Doris
glanced over at the four guy-wires
which swung with long sweeps to
trees. as though at four points Of
square.
Quickly Ramsay pulled his gun and
handed 1t &c Doris to keep the at
! tackers at bay for just the instant he
/ the handouts. Leaning over, he locked
one loop about one of the four guy
| wires.
Get ready" he cried to Doris. Cling
TO me, while 1 male the leap. It's
our only chance"
handouts about one hand. while Doris
| flung her arms about his neck. and he
grasped her In the other arm.
The Hidden Hand and his other
! gangsters were just arriving at oppo-
site ends of tho bridge. firing wildly.
and shouting at Ramsay. He leaned
over. with Doris clnginE to him, and
! lcaped.
Down the long. saggins wire Ram
say and Doris shot like huge human
| prCjectilc.
Pursued Mt Once.
Clasping Ramsay with one hand. in
| the handouts locked over the guy
wire, Doris and he shot down through
the air. with ever Increasing speed.
p Only the sag of the wire saved them.
for they slowed up a bit as they
reached the bottom. Even as It was.
they were hurled with almost stun
! ming force against the trunk of a tree
20 which the wire had been fastened
at the bottom of the ravinc.
Up on the bridge tho two bands OF
the Hidden Hand gang ran forward,
meeting in the center.
'IIere-go after them" the crime
master ordered.
stripped Off his belt and Topped it over
the wire. He swung himself over the
rail OF the bridge and away he slid
Below Ramsay, whom Doris had just
released from the handouts. could
see the emissary coming. He seized
the gun from Doris and fired with
careful. calculated aim.
With a cry the emissary fell. his
ncrveless fingers letting go the belt
over and over his body turned in
the air until it landed with n splash
! in the stream below.
! lmpotently the Hidden Hand and
/ his men now gcsticulatcd on the
bridge in wild dismay, watching the
I body of their comrade as it noated
| downstream, far below.
! They ran, clambering along the clfrs.
where Nerda, hiding. Joined them.
Quickly the Hidden Hand planned to
overcome the seeming escape and adj
vantage of Doris and Ramsay.
| Hurry he directed. we must get
! to the station first. There is still a
| chance to get them"
! TO Be Continucdl