Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-13

L
With howl OF rage he turned and
strodo full Mt her with the menacing
gauntlet OF death extended. For an
instant she stood. petrined with fear.
Fhcrc was no hopo Of safety in hight.
IL could kill you'll" hlsssd tho
hidden Hand. She screamed and
fought him or as best she could, but
It was an unequal night. Not only
had she to counter against this mans
Wild strength, but she must avoid tho
gauntlet. which at any moment that 1t
might be pointed fun at her face would
snoot forth its deadly stream OF poison
Gus vapor. How she managed it was
a miracle. but terror gave her a
strength far beyond what che would
have had otherwise. She sofearisd "a
she fought tho Hidden Hand of. for
abe knew that It was only q question
OF seconds that che could hold out.
Ignorant OF the Hidden Hands plo,
against him, yet convinced that Scarley
could be up to no good. Ramsay hur-
ried suspiciously up.
''Weli?" ne demanded of scarley A.
he camo up to him.
Scarley deiSned to reply merely with
q snccr. But Doris did not hesitate
now.
Give me back that packet-at
oncc!" she demanded with blazing cycs
and flaming checks.
Ramsay wac surprised. and turned
with anger on Scarlcy. suspecting him
OF some treachery.
please. Mr.. Ramsay-the packet"
insisted Doris. tartly.
Ramsay had had experience with her
moods before. and realized that the
only way was to give In. lie took
the case from his pocket with forced
smile and handed 1t to her. Doris
took 1t haughtiIy. turned and ran
away.
1t wac SO audden that he had no
chance to attempt to explain.
II suppose this is some OF your dirty
work" he accused scarley.
No dfrtier than yours" taunted
Scarley with laugh. and. swapping
his fingers in Ramsay's face, he left
| him.
1t was with difficulty that Ramsay
controlled HIS anger. lie tried 10 rea.
son II out. but could not
Straight TO the house ran Doris. and
into the living.room, where sho paused
as she saw Uncle Abner smoking and
contemplating what next move 10 mako.
She stopped. then vent over 10 him.
i've got both" she cried. innocently
showing him the false locket and The
packet.
Abncr looked and sloated ms ne
realized what Doris now had in her
An Etpectaat Group,
Quickly now all followed Doris into
the livins-roorn. Verda was the FIRST
TO arrive. and find that Doris had both
the lockct and tho packet Al the
Same moment. Scariey. who had left
ramsay out on the lcwn 10 follow
Doris also came in.
Doris looked with an alnnost bv,,o,t.
fascination at the case and tho locket
She held them moment contempiat
ING what secret for her they might
contain.
Slowly she began hitting tn. false
iocket Into tho real explosive packet.
| Ignorant OF what the MISPLACED Iewela
hands. '''
Now shall know whether I am
the daughter OF Judson whitney or
me girl OF the prophecy" she OK.
As she nt,ed the lockct which she
believed would unfold the mystery
Abner watched. fascinated. ,rIey
with q slight. eXpectant smile. stood
on bit. Verda. too. held Aloof, trem-
eiins between mingled hope and fear
Dorin was just about to turn tho locke,
"Stop!"
All turned. 1, was Ramsay. who
mad been trying TO reason out the
cause or DorIs's sudden change toward
MN. lie could not explain IT, NOR
why scariey was in favor again. Plain
JACK Ramsay that he was. he decided
10 go straight TO Dori, again and de-
rnand an explanation.
Here in the living. groom. with th.u
an about. wolves about an innocen,
iamb. he saw Doris with both the
rocket and tho packet. What 10 do?
he bounded forward and seized her
hands. and an he did 30. Doris fushed
Ramssy Intcrferes.
What right have you to int.ry.r.,"
vexation. 'ooe III
Ramsay looked about at tbner non.
plunsed. Nerda anxious.
wei, toll ue." sneered scarley.
What right?"
Ramsay whirled upon him. VIVA,
right? I'll tell you. II you b.I,sr.
that this Is the real Iocket omen that
packet yourself!
Scarley looked at the case a mo.
mont, then seemed to COVER as II the
import OF Ramsay's words waa son,.
thing ominous He was SO anSrv so inc,
ne fairly sputtered. But he. did NOT
oner TO open the case. Ramsay smiled
as he saw Doris noticing scarley's
hesitation.
II believe this is false locket"
cried Ramsay excitedly. olive me I'M
right" am
Half believing now. half doubling
Ooris IN surprise. was deeply I'M
pressed by the earnestness OF tbe
young secret service man.
Reading, his eyes indicated wha,
his lips were unable to express "Won.t
you waltz" he managed to find worss
finally.' u"
III Tomorrow" she finally con.
'ented. refusing to look mt him.
satisfied, Ramsay turned with a hoy
and walked out OF the room.
In tho hall he paused az hs heard
someone following him. He turned
haif hoping that 1t was Doris. Rut
1t was Verda. AS he looked at her he
saw her face mpaLhetic, almost
trustful 'osl
Jack" she said softly, Eat least 7
believe in you"
For a moment he wondered whether
AFTER all, he might not be mistaken
IN this woman, not thinking what a
Iittic actress sho was. Then throurh
ms mind came tho recolleotion ~
Doris. VI
ing away
In the livIng-room, befor6 o,,,