Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06
Tho Isle OF Dread.

that htdeou5 monster held up the sA-
piosivo packet ana pressed tho looket
into the depression on the side. about
to open 81.
She started forward, but the hand
Of the counterfeit Ramsay seized her
and pulled her back so roughly that
she screamed with pain.
As tho Hidden Hand cloat1d, the
false chauffeur and the counterfeit
Ramsay pressed forward eagerly TO
SEQ what tho handprint IN the eSplo-
sive case might be.
IT was now or never for Doris. With
Wild discrimination, she edged quietly,
unohscrvcd over toward tho flaming
retort Sho seized IL b. the tripod on
which Il was stcanii7S and threw 1t
over. The instant the super-hot con-
fonts landed on the wooden tabletop
cloud OF smoke shot up from the
burning wood
In sudden surprise the Hidden Hand
staggered back In the fumes, dropping
both the packet ana the locket. which
oiattcred TO the floor. Instantly the
room was full OF acrid choking fumes
with the Hidden Hand coughing and
sputtcring in the vapor.
For the moment in the melee tho
packet aNo the ipCReI were IOI bStSCN
In the wild rush for air. Feet trampled
about the precious trinklets. heedlesEly.
But they were neve. out OF Doris's
mind FOR moment. Besides. she knew
tina, the sitting varors were not SO
strong a; the floor as above. On her
hands aad knees She crawled. nearer
and nearer. Through the tansle OF
seun,inE feet she snatehed the packet
1885, TIL - it,ct
foot was about TO crush Il.
Huggiar it closely to her. fearless
Of the explosive it contained. she
sduirmed away from tho gang and.
concealed by the heavy vapor. ran from
tho inner den into tho outside room.
AS she opened the door. a puff OF the
awful fumes blew out after her. She
slammed the door and ran.
Look ootr' houted ono Of the ennis
sarfes. for the first time realizing that
Doris had fled. shes goner'
T on his hands and knees tho Hidden
Hand himself wao now srovelins like
a rniser Who had spilled hts fold, hunt.
ing for the precious locket and packet.
only the locket could he and.
A wild Cry.
stop her! Stop her: She must
have the packets" he cried, running to
tho door OF the outer don.
This way-she has gone this way"'
shouted an en1issary, pointing to the
street door.
Pursued closely by tho Hidden Hand
Doris Ned down the hall to the street
door and out, running wildly.
II was at this moment that Ramsay
having decided from the tire tracks
which way the closed car that bore
Doris away had conc, carno tearing
down the road In the specdster.
Fiat, off the Job as usual when
anything happened at the house. was
BY bull luck in at the finish. lie had
been descantinE wisely OF his proves.
az sleuth to two members OF the
: uniformed forco at. a police kiosk.
Come" shouted Ramsay. spying the
three. Jump ahoard-theyvc kidnapped
Doris"
The three policemen lcapcd TO the
running board OF the spcedster, and
Ramsay was away quicker than he
could shift gears.
1t was almost into the arms OF her
reseuer that Doris ran. and the Hidden
Hand and his gang, seeing that Ram.
say was with her. turned and fed.
Quick" shouted Ramsay, cutting
: short even her words OF thanks. Tel
rne--where is the DEM"
she climbed IN. tho policeman help.
ing her. and rat down by Ramsay
pointing down the road.
Straight ahead" she directed; III
show you the house"
The fire was burning mcrriiy by tn.
saries had run into the den again.
a Trap for the Police.
s Outside now were Ramsay and Dori,
;. and tho police.
THE police!" shouted tho Hidder
Hand as he caught sight OF then
through the window. "Sct the safet,
bomb off,
Through the smoke in the outer den
as the Hidden Hand pressed button
could be seen. In an angle OF the wall
an electric conduit which led up TO tn
n,oldinE Of the ceiling The IIiddel
Hand tore at the door of the condui
box and revealed two lead wires an,
: q fuse.
:. I'll trap them" no muttercd. as h
!, joined the two wires, which Mashed a
the end OF the fuse.
!. Up the wall sputtered the fuse, an
suddenly along the moiding could b
seen creeping flame. nearing the bonn
Z overhead timed to explode in a fey
7 seconds.
Escape to the street was cut of
The Hidden Hand and his men dashe
through the smokc-Glled inner den {
an emergency exi; just as Ramsa,
Doris and Flat broke into the hous
and ran straight toward the QUITE
den.
The sputte.!n. fuse was now onl
: few seconds from the bomb which
was timed TO explode.
Il picked UP the packet" cried Dor
as she ran into the den. but he dronpe
both-perhaps can find the locke
too
She began searching a. Ramse
pulled open the door into the inn,
den.
4 burst OF fame and smoke bur
: out with the draurht, and he shut Il
door quickly. The fire Was hcyot
control.
Look exclaimed Doris. pointir
so upward where she spied the fuse spu