Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-10
EPISODE 8.
The Slide for Life.

lcaped from the wall at ncr on every
side. always growing larger and threat
cning to enEulf her.
Quickly Ramsay, his feet locked In
either side OF the doorway. flung him
self backward and down through tho
vent in the floor. extending his arms
to Doris. She leaped for him and he
caught her she chung to him, now
almost writnihg from the blisterinE
heat.
Cat-likc. the devilish Hidden Hand
crcpt from the shelter Of the rude
staircase. still almost blinded from tho
h'"v that Rnmsay had administered to
HON. Another moment and ne would
bv -,Un ..n...a..y tie drew a long muir
dcrous dirk from his waist and crcpt
forward. leeripE evilly he thought
OF precipitatinE the two lovers head
long into the fiery furnace below. clos
ing tho trap and leaving them to burn
TO death.
But Ramsay was too quick for him.
Trained in athletics. every muscle was
alive. In spite Of the added weight OF
Doris. he raised himself suddenly, just
as tho Hidden Hand bent over him.
With a final effort he flung Doris gent
ly TO one side, interposinE himself be
tween her and the criminal. and in an
other instant he had raised himself to
his feet and was confronting the muir.
derer.
with a muttercd imprecation OF rage,
however. the Hidden Hand ducked tho
blow. and before Ramsay. painting
from tho almost superhuman effort OF
the rescue of Doris, could recover, the
Hidden Hand had fed through a door.
slamminB II.
He burst into an inner room, where
Ecrda and some emissaries were wait
ing fearfully. having guessed from tho
sounds that the plot had nl.scarricd and
that Doris and Ramsay were safe.
There WAS not even time for the Hidden
Hand TO vent his anger on the ennis
saries. What was done must be done
quickly.
Quick" cried Ramsay. as the Hidden
Hand ned. there too many for US
this is our chance to set away"
In a moment he and Doris were
pounding down the door !n:o the street
and escaping.
Warning.
You must not be seen here" NUT
tered the Hidden Hand TO vcrda.
They will suspect that the kidnapping
was a frame-up. Fake an escape
ou6h tiihl
Vcrda looked AT the window. 1t was
several feet from the ground. and she
hcs!tated to jump out
The Hidden Hand had no such
scruples. however. without a word. he
seized Verda. who struggled genuinely
this time. bore her to the window and
actually nung her out, careful 10 let
her land on her feet which she did
with Jolt, though fortunately with
out being hurt.
There's Ecrda," cried Doris. catch
ing glimpse from the outside. she
fought away from them and jumped"
Verda caught the cue. In another
moment breathless. she was with them
with weird tale Of dane-r.
Ramsay looked about. What was he
to do with two girls II the gang at
tackled again? Just about the corner Of
the house he saw a limousine. Whose
IL was he did not know. nor did he care.
In another moment he had hustled Doris
and Ferda into it, directing Doris to
cover the driver with the gun. as he
ordered him to drive off.
II was. as a matter of fact. the limou-
sine OF the Hidden Hand and the driver
was an cnissary. Ramsay stood on the
running board as the driver sullcnly
enough to give the other emissaries
chance. One hurled himself at the door.
Clinsing with one hand. Ramsay man
aged to brush him of as another
came on.
Back OF the car, however, a third
had leaped for the spare tire rack and
gained 1t, climbing over the roof AS
he raised a blackjack over Ramsay's
head Ramsay managed 20 throw the
other fellow off the running board and
turn just in time to grip the appraised
arm, bend it In his powerful grasp and
finE the fellow far out into the road
In an attic OF a poorly furnished
house in a section Of the city. in which
he would be unlikely to attra, t atten-
ton, the Hidden Hand sat blu 'ly en-
gagged that night, his only company
an owl In the rafters from time to time
hooting weirdly.
A New Scheme.
Patiently the Hidden Hand worked
and as the owl hooted the very uncan-
niness OF the bird seemed to coincide
with his crafty humor. on the table
before him were drawing materials. and
now, as he finished with them, he bent
over piece of paper, writing.
No sooner had he finished than he
Calleo an c1nlSSaFy, VINO entered, bowling
and cringing before him.
Here Is a letter" began the Hid
den Hand. displaying it:
June IL, 1915
"Judson whitney:
Your will Is drawn up and is ready
for your signature at my hunting
lodge. Eagle Nest. in the Adirondacks.
Yours truly.
JONAS TRASH,
Attorney"
And here" added the Hidden Hand
taking what he had drawn. lis a plan
I have made Of secret drawer in the
writing desk In the Whitney library
I want the letter placed in the secret
drawer and this plan left where some
ono will find II. ! must get Doris away
from New York. Perhaps I'll have bet
ter success. Give this all to Verda-
and tell her IL she fails this time I
Will not spare Ramsay"