Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
he chief approached the sullcn pris-

ihc chief approached the sullcn pris-
Oners.
yes" he indicated to one. Come
here. j want to talk TO you"
The man obeyed and stood aside as
he was ordered. At once the chief
began the old-fashioned third degree
But he had not gone far before he
turned. pur2oscly. and took step
aside. Tho man saw his chance, not
Knowing lit was purpose!y left open.
He leaped out OF the door and started
off on run.
There he goes" nodded Ramsay and
the chief with satisfaction, as Doris
watched eagerly.
bu, IS he passed the two Secret Ser
Vice men emerged quietly and started
after him.
Meanwhile, at the den. Vcrda had
come quickly to the archcd door and
had been admitted without question by
the riest-enissary. who accompan-
led her into the den.
'Ge: Inc drink, I'm faint" she
ashed.
The moment his back was turned
she darted to desk, where. in secret
drawer tho Hidden Hand kept the ex-
piosivo packet. She pulled it out
Fcrda had both locket and packet.
She was almost on tho point of open
Ing the packet when the priest -emls-
sary. returning saw her, started at her.
but she was too quick. Selling 4 gun
on the desk she held him at bay while
slowly she backed away to window,
climbed out and disappeared.
1t was at that moment that the
Hidden Hand, alone. came sinking to
the arched door and knocked Even
rs he did SO. the escaped emissary
ran UP. pouring out the tale Of the.cap-
turc of the gang.
AT last the door was opened and
they hurried in. the Hidden Hand ours
ing the priest-emissary, while. out
side. the two shadowers watched.
"Verda was here" gasped the priest
emissary in confusion. as he told OF
her theft Of the packet, also
For moment it seemed as if the
Hidden Hand would murder his in
formant.
Back at the Trocadero, the chief.
Ramsay and Doris waited anxiously
until suddenly tho telephone rang.
Ramsay answered it. and turned. ex-
cited.
They've found the den" he cried.
Come on
BY this time the prisoners were all
handcuffed. Leaving couple OF men
to guard them. Ramsay, Doris and the
chief, with tho rest piled into a wait
ing car and were away.
AT last they might raid the den and
capture Ve Hidden Hand himself
In her apartment Sonia was wait.
ing anH!ously for the arrival OF Abner
with the will from the safety deposit
vault. Surely he had had plenty of
time to get it. she reasoned CHANGING
again at her watch. Why was he not
hero Could anything have happened
10 him?
Finally she could stand 1t no longer.
She /cnt to the telephone and called
AbneT's number though she did not
think he would possibly be at home.
Up in his room, with the door locked
and the windows barred, Abner heard
the telephone ring: with fear, even
then. he answered Could II be another
message from the Hidden Hand
rs that you, Abner?" asked Sonia.
Why haven't wa come hero with the
will?"
Harassed. he scarcely knew what 70
answer. although even this was some
relief Let me explain" he FASTENED.
I've been thrcatened"-
The sentence was never finished
sinister yellow Face had already an
peared at the barred window and a
moment later a poisoned dart sped
straight TO It's mark in the back Of
Abncr's neck. In pain and terror he
cried out as he dropped the receiver,
c!rtchins at his neck.
Sonia heard. but did not understand.
Abncr reeled and fell forward across
the table-dead!
Then the East Indian chuckled