The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-08-29

chief OF detectives had orders for the
Sphinx to 60 at once to the chiefs Of
flee. "BulI' McQuail, the best head
the detective force had ever boasted.
was on his metal.
| I'm going to show you how easy it
is to catch this Purple Mask girl" said
McQuait with an air of superior self
assurance, when Kelly had been
brought before him. zone of the men
you caught last night has squealed,
and I'm going after her myself"
go to 1t, boss" said Kelly with
feigned self-resignation. "Tn wait
here, If it's not going to take you too
long" And McQuail, taking four Of
his men, departed for the House Of
Mystery.
AS they entered the grounds sur
rounding Pats headquarters, her
watchman reported their presence over
the telephone system with which the
place was equipped. Thus McQuail's
men found> the runway" that led
through door in the side of the house
let down to decoy them into the place.
| McQuail walked cautiously into the
trap. Leading his men up the run
way. he walked along the darkened
hall that led directly into large room.
The detective and his men, with re-
volvers drawn, moved stealthily into
the room. looking cautiously about
them as they proceeded. When they
were all inside, the door through
which they had entered was suddenly
barred behind them by an iron graf
ing that fell from above and complete
ly covered the opening.
Hastily glancing around. MeQuail
discovered the room had no windows.
but was dimly lighted by artificial
means. The ceiling was high and the
walls were hung with numerous pic
lures. their frames set in the plaster.
| Suddenly one of the pictures on the
wall slid back and created an opening
through which a head and shoulders,
masked by a purple hood, appeared,
and a voice commanded attention:
you'll nnd paper and pencil on the
table. Mr.. McQuail. Write an order
to release the two men you hold pris-
Oners at headquarters. When it is
written and signed, take 1t to the
barred door, and hand 1t to our mes
senger."
McQuail looked toward the grating
that barred his passage and saw three
figures standing In the hallway. One
Of the men said: II am the messen-
ger. Give 1t to me-"
The detective consulted with his
men. They moved to the table and
seated themselves. For a long time
IcQuail talked with his men In low
tones, but made no move to write the
note. ~ he had been commanded.
"The longer you delay, the longer
you stay" said the voice from the wall
above McQuail's head. write the
note and you will be out Of here as
soon rs our man can 60 to headquar-
tiers and bring back our comrades"
AeQuail evidently decided 1t was the
better part Of discretion to do ~ he was
told. He took the pencil and wrote
upon . ped Of paper that was lying
on the table.
Taking the note to the grating. he
handed Il to the masked messenger.
The ApAAhe read the note aloud :
'Seed the two men Kelly grabbed last
nlsht."
-Just add to hat" said the voice
that had been speahlng from the wall :
"Say In the upea: Let them come
hack With thts messenger" AeQuail
complied.
"Go back to the table and put your
guns on the CLOTH" was the command
that now came IN the veice from the
wall. with the guAs Of the Apaches
pointed at tAAm, the detectives con
cluded that compliance with the order
was the most disereet thing to be
done.
When they had again seated them
selves at the table and their guns were
nlaced on the CLOTH the voice from the