Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-28
CHAPTER Nv
Black Men in Red Masks

NKIsS SNOWY OWL, Miss Great Horned
Wx Owl and Miss Screech Owl proved faster
flyers than Judge OWL and set after him at a
great rate. Miss Snowy Owl was particu-
iarly swift. and she was rapidly overhauling
the Judge when Billy Belgium jumped into
action.
Come on, we've got to help the Judge"
he cried to Pessy. hopping into his airplane.
Pesgy followed him. and in trlce the air
plane was darting at terrific speed after the
birds. II passed first Miss Screech Owl. then
Miss Great Horned Owl and then Miss Snowy
Owl, and there ahead was Judge Owl, fiutter-
inE along ~ fast as he could.
Judge Owl didn't know Of the escape of
his would.be brides. and was blissfully
chuckiing over the clever way In which he
hsA outwittsd them. when from behind came
the wait Of Miss Screech OWL Judge Owl
stopped chuckiins Then came the whistle
Of Miss Great Horned Owl. 'ro-ooo" and
Judge Owl put on an extra burst OF speed.
Then from close At hand came the scream
OF Miss snowy Owl, and Judge Owl fed for
his life.
He heard the whirr of the airplane and
thought Miss Snowy Owl was right upon
him.
Help! Help!" no hooted. Help, Princess
Peggy! Help. Billy Belgium"
Throw out a line to Judge Owl. Wen
give him a tow !" shouted Billy to Peggy. She
quickly obeyed. sending the rope whirling to-
ward her .puffinE bird friend. He grasped 1t
Hes n,insr wh,stlsd Miss Great Horned
y heard him first !" screamed Miss screech
Owl.
But I've got him. cried Miss Snowy
Owl. grabbing Judge Owl by the tail feathers.
"I'ii see about that I" whsted Miss Great
Horned owl. grabbing Miss Snowy Owl.
Melody can take him away from me 1"
walled Miss screech Owl, grabbing Miss Great
Horned Owl.
"iIoId tiEht!" shouted Billy Belgium. turn
ing on full power. The airpiane darted ahead,
pulling all the Owls behind like a string of
freight cars.
Then Judge Owls feathers gave way, and
the airpiane ieaped forward. The sudden
parting tangled the three lady Owls up in a
lighting mass. and by the time they got un-
tangled the airpiane was far ahead.
Before them doomed large. dark building.
There's Mr.. Dalton's barn. - shouted Billy
Belgium Lets hide In the haymow."
Darling across . Held the airplane skirted
the end Of the barn. and then swooped
through broken window pane into the dark
ness OF the barn. Judge Owl landed with the
sirplane on q pile Of soft hay.
Goodness mo-" he hooted. II was pretty
near a .gener that time"
'Hush!" cautioned Peggy. Those awful
Owls may hear you"
"Awfui ID the right word" chucisled Judge
Owl. my. amt glad was born bache-
ior"
"sh.h.h.h!" Whispered Billy Belgium.
graspins Percy BY tho arm. Something was
making stunning noise on the main floor
Of the barn.
'whst's that noise7" gruntsd mans voice.
"SpooksI r. spoke up another rough voice.
A light flashed for a moment. BY it's raw
PeSgy ana Billy saw sight that CAUSED
them to catch their breaths The barn was
arranged like council hall. with black dra-
psftss curtaining the sides. Seated around
this council hall were men garbed In robes
Of Naming red. Every one wore q red mask.
Before q throne. on which sat q fAntasticaily
dressed creature. were threo unmasked men
tied together. The faces Of the prisoners and
the faSes beneath the red masks were black.
CUMMING erickets! What have we bumped
intof 7" sxai>s~,ss BILLY Belgium.
{Tomsrrsw etsanss Deinss IN the Old Bsrn
Win - Nsrsstsd.)