The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-09-12

Apache Aas1 made friend of the an
archlst, and had secured his promise
to deliver the maps.
Very well satisfied with develop
ments thus far. Pat ordered the man
to be again blindfolded and led from
the room into the open, with liberty to
proceed at will. Just then Pat was
treated to q surprise.
When Pats men led their prisoner
from the room. and descended to the
yard by the secret gangway that led
from the side Of the house. they neg
lected to close the exit behind them
While they were taking their captive
across the lawn. Phil Kelly and his
men, who had long been watching for
just such an opportunity. suddenly
pounced upon the Apaches. and with
well-directed blows. put them out OF
commission.
Disregarding the fate Of the blind
folded captive, once the Apaches had
been enectually disposed Of, Kelly and
his man made haste to enter the house.
They hurried up the runway and dis
appeared inside.
As Pat and her men were adjourn
ing. Kelly and his assistants suddenly
appeared in the doorway leading from
the hall. and covered the Apaches and
their leader with revolvers. The sur
prise was complete.
Hands up!" Kelly shouted. I'VE
have you covered. Line up along the
wall"
One by one the Apaehes lined them
selves against the wall. While one
Of Kelly's mem searchedp them for ire,
arms~ Pat moved to the further end
Of the table. When KeliySstarted after
her. she moved along until Kelly stcod
at one end Of the table, with Pat oppo-
site.
.You men come to this end Of the
table" Kelly commanded his assist
ants. Keep the men covered. while
70 after the girl" was his supple
mental order when his men had
reached his side.
But before Kelly could move to
make good his purpose. the floor
dropped from under the three detec-
tives, and they were once more
trapped in the same hole where they
had before nearly host their lives
Pat had pushed q button that let the
floor drop from under the detectives
Kelly was Wild with rage when he
recovered his breath, knocked out OF
his body by the sudden tumble into the
cellar. One Of his men had fortunate
ly, for the detectives, fallen in such
a manner that his body prevented the
sliding sides Of the well" to complete
ly reach the flooring.
But for this circumstance, Pat would
have had Kelly and his men securely
trapped.
Meanwhile, Pat and her men, secure
from any danger that might have
Kelly and his men. proceeded with
their plans. The men Pat had dele
gated to assist her proceeded on their
various missions. ~
The Apaches spread out and were
soon In communication with the an
archists. Believing in the supposed
friendliness Of Pats men. the conspir-
ators gave valuable Information, all
Of which was reported to Pat In time
to b useful.
Some time after Kelly had disap-
peared through the trap. Pat sent one
Of her men to release the detectives.
Her Investigator reported that the
trap was empty. and the smile that
overspread the girls beautiful face
indicated that she was neither sur
prised nor disappointed.
Shortly afterward q girl left the
House Of Mystery With . note ad-
dressed to the Sphinx. When Pats
messenger arrived At Kelly's head
quarters she Was shown Immediately
into his apartment.
"You have 20 cleverly escaped
congratulate you. Now I challenge
you to interfere with my plans TO save
Wall street." Kelly read aloud from
the note. signed Purple Mask"
'Go back and tell your mistress for
me-" said Kelly to Pats maid, that
my business IL to protect, and l warn
her not to 60 far with her madness"
The girl withdrew, leaving Kelly alone
with his chief assistant.
IF she tackles Wall street. the pa
pers will be full Of news, that's sure"
said Kelly. while q look Of firm reso-
luton frightened his face.
While the note was being delivered
to Kelly. the Queen of the Apaches
was speeding away in her automobile
to complete important details Of her
plan to thwart the anarchists. Her
chauffeur drove her to one Of New
York's suburbs, where an aviation field
WAS located.
her men. who wns employed around
the hangers, and arranged. through
him, to have an airplane placed at
her disposal.
Pat had made her arrangements
none too soon, for that very evening