The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-18
FIFTH EPISODE
AbIaze in Mid-Air.

The loose planking that had been
earelessly nailed to form the floor that
separated Pat from the room below.
ratified under the girls feet as she
hurried to the rescue Of Phil Kelly.
who was struggling against odds In
the room below. With feverish haste
the girl grasped the edge Of the board.
forcing her fingers through the wide
cracks that separated the planks, one
from the other.
She could hear Kelly's wild shouts
for help, coming to her from the room
below. The ominous swish Of the tails
Of q score Of alligatOrs as they strug-
gied in the water to reach their hap
less victim, added q note Of extreme
terror to the situation.
Kelly's hands and fingers were bleed
ing from his mad work. trying to save
himself from falling Into the tank of
water among the alligators.
Jacques who had followed Pat up
the rickety stairs where she had run
in the hope of finding a means Of res
cuing the Sphinx. added his efforts to
the girls eager struggles.
"Hold ON for your life." Pat called
down to the detective. "Tn not see
you eaten alive II my efforts can pre-
vent it."
While Jacques worked with his
strong hands, Pat scurried about the
room In which she suddenly found
herself, and discovered piece Of rope.
As gift from the gods she pounced
upon the rope. and by using short
pieces Of planking to pry the boards
loose Jacques soon made hole In the
floor large enough to accommodate
Kelly's body.
When they had drawn Kelly far
enough to permit him to help himself
BY reaching up to grasp the planks
and rafters, Pat shouted to Jacques:
"You stay and see him out Of his
trouble. I'm going to disappear"
1t was the next day before Kelly
could reach Pat on the phone and ask
permission 10 cnll upon her. And then
the girl put him on with a series Of
excuses that exasperated him.
- II can't understand why you will
NOT let me call and thank you for saw
Ing my life. Miss Pat" Kelly finally
S0iu over tne pnOhe.
'.The truth IL, II you must know, I
don't require any thanks. 1t was just
the logical action of one human being
toward another in Distress" said the
girl.
but your action puzzles me" kel-
~ started to continue.
"And that's just what have set out
to do" interrupted the girl, ITO keep
you guessing and make you lrove that
what your admirers say about your be-
ing the greatest detective In all Eu-
rope"
Before Kelly could continue the con-
versation Pat had terminated his op-
portunity by hanging up the receiver.
"I'1l make Mr.. Kelly regret the day
he snubbed me-" she said to herself,
as she lit cigarette and languidly
dropped upon the divan.
Mrs. Van Nuys interrupted her rev.
erie by entering Pats boudoir and an
nouncing:
1--WE are invited to the Crosbyg to-
night, my dear. They are giving q
said Mrs. Van Nuys.
1.-The Crosbys are all right auppose
but would rather remain at home."
said Pat . little wearily. But II you
would like me to 60. auntie. am per-
fectly agreeable to the idea," she add
Cd.
And it was finally agreed that they
should be numbered among the Cros-
sby's guests ut the party. After Mrs.
Van Nuva had left the. room Pat heQan
to conjure some method to ring Kelly,
Into the occasion and further humiliate
him. And In the hour or more she
devoted to the subject, Pat thought
out a way to make the Sphinx still
further regret that he had been rude
to her. w
Taking up her pen, Pnt wrote note.
In disguised nand, informing Kelly
hat there would ts . great display Of