Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-24


door was bending under the impact
OF tho gauntlet OF the Hidden Hand.
Already a panel splintcrcd. and the
Stecl-shod hand searched for the bolt.
II failed to locate it, and withdrew,
beginning again it's smashing and rip
ping at the door
To Doris the peril seemed hopeless
Of any solution but the She
dreaded TO jump from the second
floor meant at least an injury that
might result in some permanent hurt.
Yet there was no other way. The door
behind her was splintcrcd too far to
hold much longer.
She mounted the window ledge. wait
ing as long AZ she dared before at
tempting the leap. Below in the court
yard Ramsay was fighting with the
strength born OF desperation. Doris's
courage rose as she saw him 1ing one
OF the attackers clean over his head
and pull his pistol lie shot. and an
other went down. The rest fed. Now.
If Ramsay could but reach her in
time. She cried out to him.
Behind her the door gave way. The
Hidden Hand paused on the threshold
waving the gauntlet. but advancing
no further.
Don't jump" he cried. Everything
is settled. have made a mistake.
Will not come another step"
Nor did he. as Doris, poised on the
window ledge. waited for the next
move
The Hidden Hand reached into his
breast and plutkcd out a long dagger.
the exact replica Of the one held By
tho Spanish cavalier. Before Doris
could understand his intent, he took
II by the point and hurled Il straight
at her. She started TO leap. but the
dagger pierced through her hair and
fastened In the side of the window.
pinnnG her securely by tho hilt
in her haii as II hands had reached
across the room. In vain she tried to
release the handle OF the dagger from
her hair. She could hut struggle Xix"
a pinned butterfly as the Hidden Hand
started toward her.
'.Thc Tigers jaws"
Pinned to the side OF the window by
the dagger which had bcrn hurled at
her by the Hidden Hand. Doris
screamed as the criminal advanced. In
desperation she wrcnched at il 10 tear
Il free from her hair
The Hidden Hand was almost upon
her "hcn she succeeded in looscn!ng
tho dagger. Al once she had freed
herself and gained weapon. She
struck out at him, and ne fell back
circlinE about her TO gain an advan-
taEe again.
'Iiclp! Jack. quick" she screamed.
turning for second to the window.
whore below she could see Ramsay
STRUGGLING
SUI holding the Hidden Hand at
bay. wariiy, Doris moved away from
the window as he sought to interpose
himself between II and herself And.
AK she did so. she had 10 turn her back
10 the door.
Suddenly She felt powerful hand
on her wrist she held tho dagger
ready TO luuge instantly at the Hidden
Hand. The hidden Hand laughed
harshly.
From the concealmcnt of the door
M ri huJ
Up on her. and she had neither seen
nor hcl,G him as he wormed closer
and closer.
slowly rev. while the Hidden Hand
Knocked. the cmissary, Il powerful fell
low. bent Doris's wrist back until the
dagger pointed straight at her heart
il agony she felt his powerful grasp.
Nearer and nearer. tantaliz!ngly. he
forced the dagger at her breast.
Doris managed 10 relax her fingers
just enough 10 let the dagger slip from
them and ii fell with clatter to the
floor.
But she was a prisoner. and over
powered by the cmissary. and the Hid
den Hand himself now. she was carried
from the room.
'At last have you and I'll compare
your handprints with those in the
packet" Kissed the Hidden Hand as
she was borne, struggling, out into the
hail
In the back yard Of the furnished
room house Ramsay battlcd with the
cmissarics who had attacked him. as
nc heard Doris calling from the win
dow above.
Ramsay Victorious.
At that moment one of them leaped
on him. and they went down. Ramsay
beneath. but struggling fcrcely, for the
fellow had him by the throat With
Il superhuman effort Ramsay gathered
all lis strength and. although still
held by the fellow. managed 10 rise
from the ground. slowly twistiis and
squirming until he had the right hold
Get him." cried his antagonist to
the other. who started forward.
Eut Ramsay was too quick for him.
He had his grip and. with the leverage
he wanted. threw his assailant over his
shoulders. The mans body and legs
whirlcd through the air, describing a
giant swing. and as he swung, his heels
struck fun in the face of the emissary
coming 10 his help. The second reeled
in pain and rage rs Ramsay tossed the
first backward. Leaving both in a heap
on the ground and not stopping even
to look back. he darted for the door Of
the house where he had seen Doris
AS he entered. Al the top of the stairs
he caught sight OF Doris borne by the
Hidden Hand. He lcapcd up the stairs,
two at time. The other emissary
rushed at him. and Ramsay repeated
his performance of hinginE this fellow
too over his head and down the stairs.
though at the same time 1t threw Ram
say prone on the floor.
Before Ramsay could recover him
self. tho Hidden Hand dropped Doris
and rushed at him, at the same time
extending the terrible gauntlet OF
death. preparing to discharge the dead
ly gas.
There was no time to pick himself
up. but Ramsay doubled up his feet
and struck out with all his athletic
force. catching the Hidden Hand fun
in the stomach and knocking him
against the rail, just as the deadly gas
was discharged. Over the rail and down
rcclcd the Hidden Hand. landing, with
n groan. beside his henchman.
Ramsay paused only long enough to
lift Doris to her feet, but at that in |
LIZ Tho other EN- iSSa rieS had In, i