Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-10
Trapped by Trcnchery.


caught in the belt and held her as IL
She were bound.
Frantically Ramsay ran down from
the trestle over tho coal dump leap
ing with long strides over tho shift
ing coal, and dashed wildly for tho
coal elevator.
There was just one chance. II he
could reach tho lever which controlled
the mechanism Of the conveyor he
might shut 1T off in time to save Doris.
On the other side OF the huge cog
wheel the Hidden Hand waited and
pcercd in Gcndish anticipation as the
belt whirlcd DorIs along to the cogs.
Ramsays fingers were already on
the lever when he felt the grasp OF
a powerful hand on his shoulder. He
turned in time to duck the rush of
an emissary OF tho Hidden Hand from
behind. In that second he yanked the
lever which controlled the convcyor.
then turned like a mailman in fury on
his new attacker. They grappled. Over
and over they rolled. for the enissary
was powerful fellow and In terror
OF his chief should he fail to prevent
Ramsay from saving Doris.
Tho belt slowed up. leaving Doris.
caught on II. only a matter OF inches
from the cogs, which would have
ground her TO death.
With a muttercd imprecation, the
Hidden Hand started around throug h
the machinery after her. seeking to
complete tho interrupted work OF the
cog-wheel. Doris struggled TO free
herself from the bolt in which she was
caught. as she saw him making his
way at her.
with nnaI outburst of energy,
Ramsay managed to fling the ennis
sary from him. breaking his hold. with
such force that his head struck i beam
nd ha Al ,t-it bud In, n
the floor. senselcss. Without stopping
TO ascertain whether the man was
MORALLY hurt Ramsay strobe up
through the elevator calling to Doris
that he was on his way.
The Hidden Hand heard even as ne
was emerging from the machinery be
hind which he had been watching.
He did not walt but turned and fed
through the back OF the coal pockets
until he had gained yard in the
rear.
Are you all right" painted Ram
gay. catching Doris from the belt les,
II might start again.
They Sturt In Pursuit.
"A-all right" she returned, trying
10 smile bravely for his sake. as she
chung to him. lovely picture OF dis
tress. "Do-you think we can-catch
h!m?"
Ramsay pressed the brave girls hand
ms together. undaunted, they started
in pursuit.
Already the emissary had recovered
consciousness and picked himself up.
crawling away also through the back
OF the coal pockets. In the yard he
caught sight OF the Hidden Hand. as
Nerda. who had been waiting aside.
I stole up nervously.
what was tho ,rouble?" she in
CURED anHious!y.
/. "rha, fellow. Ramsay. go, here"
Meet me at the den. l have an
/ other plan"
NO" stamped verda in petulant
rage You promised TO prove that I
i was the heiress Of the Whitney estate
/ II served you. Now they have dis
covered me and I am powerless."
Angrily. the Hidden Hand turned on
! her. but her blazing desperation check
!! ed him. lie tried to placate her. But
4 'Verda was defiant. She felt that. for
i her. everything was lost, even her
/ last chance TO win Ramsay.
AT that moment, they could hear
4 Ramsay and Doris approaching. They
h ned in opposite directions. and. after
Il A fruitless search, Doris and Ramsay
Il decided to return TO the apartment Of
n Martha, the faithful old housekeeper
s with whom Doris had taken refuge
when her Uncle Ahner forced her out
L, OF the Whitney house.
x II was the following day that Mar
tina was sadly sitting beside the din
E.!ng-room table, knitting, as Doris en-
Eitcrcd
n why so sad?" cheered Doris.
|s "oh. this is no place for you. Miss
E.Doris." bewailcd Martha, looking
l:about at her humble home.
N. IT'S all right Martha, and it's fine
Hand generous Of you to take care Of
Fine in this way. Besides" Doris add
n ed. lingering the locket about he.
Fineck, 81 still have the locket that may
lyprove my identity"
IA 1T hope you may be right" sighed
|tMartha. putting down her knitting and
/ Ioreparing to get lunch.
NJ Abncr Takes Charge.
h At the Whitney house, Abner was
Lnow in charge. and at that moment
|siyas talking with Verda, whom he had
Thought and summoned.
3ir Then you will help meg" he asked
FINALLY.
Il Yes" she answered, watching his
Mace kecnly.
well. there Is a scheme I have to
Ifl;et Ramsay out OF the way"
ts lie had no time to nnish. In the
Ifltall already they could hear Ramsay
| nd the butler Verda had scarcely
ls,limc to hide when Ramsay entered,
! Ind as he did SO, Abncr rumplcd his
[Hiair and quickly poured a drink from
la, decanter on table.
| ji Ramsay advanced rather anSrlly Al
Milne evidence OF Ahner's high living,
3Illut Abner met him with a leer.
| Nj 1.-THE Whitney millions belong to
! Mhc," he exclaimed thickly. land will
IiiIpcnd them, every cent. Have n drink? Q"
II,l Ramsay dashed the proffcrcd glass
Nib the noor and sent Abner reeling.
vi s lie looked down on the table he saw
INl letter:
III bner whitney, New York:
lilt IJcar Sir.-1Iaving rcmcasured your
|1}yhitney Island house. we find n dead
Sjbace in the walls which may Indicate
| XII secret room. We await your instruc-
/ ons. Very truly yours,
.tl CAREWE s. IIOSEINS.
klD Architects.
1H.iAs he read It, smile of contempt
}Hibr Abner, still cropping on the floor.
ls3laycd over Ramsay's face. and he
hSIrncd and stallscd out. The moment
KYLE disappeared, Ahner reclcd to the
{iIortiercs unsteadily but when he was
II ire Ramsay had gone. he suddenly
Became dead sober again and bcckon-
Nlb to Verda, who Glided from her hid