The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-05-16

| land an1 walked ashore. lie started
inland. but soon found he was on a
barren island. He heard the screech
of a Wild duck and this gave him an
idea, 4 long chance thai might save
him. He fashioned screen OF reeds
and managed to decoy three ducks.
Then, using his cuffs Tor paper, a
piece Of reed for pen and few
drops Of his own blood for ink, he
wrote. note reading:
| Jenkins Circus, Denham. Cal.
Wrecked on Island in bay. Help. b.
Forde.p
/ He released the three birds, one
bearing his message and sat down to
wait. He had little hope Of rescue.
Two hunters, their launch filled
with TAT game, were startled soon af-
ter to see a duck flying low over
them, apparently with letter tied to
one Of It's legs. One Of them fired
and the bird an instant later huttered
to the water. They went % the spot,
picked up bird and message and
started 1T once to BerI.s aid. He
saw them coming and waded out to
meet them. AS he climbed aboard
the launch he thanked them and told
them Of his mysterious accident
Meanwhile, II had grown dark and
Edith and Jenkins had begun to worry
over Hert's continued absence. The
evening performance began and was
almost over, Still no sign Of Bert.
Craven. pretending worry. said he
would 90 down to the dock to seek
news Of the missing one. Instead he
went over to the booth Of con
cessionaire and there entered into u
contest with Peaky, shooting little
pointed darts at a board with num-
beers corresponding to numbers on
prizes. lie paid no money and ae-
cepted no prizes, but even with the
little ar rifle the man displayed re-
markable marksmanshlp and Peaky,
good shot that he was. was no match
/ for him.
| Craven sauntered back n the main
tent jenkins by noH vas almost
distracted. because the show was al
most over and Bert'a neH act, soon
/ due, va TO be the climax. Every
thing Vas In readiness for the act
except the actor jenkins broke I'M
( der the strain and stepped into the
center d the ring to apologize TO the
audience lie had only begun TO ex-
( plain Bert.B absence when suddenly
there vi an outburgt 81 cheering
I Bert. II cowboy costume. rode into
. the ring On his horse DIabolua with
balancing pole, the French nag
/ futterIng from one end. Old Glory
/ from The other.
lie bowed TO the audience. then
started DIabolus up the runway TO Il
|three=Ineh cable which HHH stretched
between NO platforms fifteen feet In
the ar. Il was the introduction Of
his nax act DiabofuH Haz 10 walk
the ughf rope, bearing Bert on his
back. = the magnificent horse stepp-
cd fool On the cable. there .aH rent
in the tent at one side The evil.
half-fIHIble face Of red Mask9 show
ed through and then tha point OF a
tiny rife.
Tie horse was half Ny across the
cable. Suddenly there - q sharp
ping. and the beast reared. falling
to the ground with his rider.
Neither horse or rider was hurt
As Jenkins. Edith and he others
gathered around. Bert aaId to Jen-
kins
No detective work needed there
guess lhai vas an accident
Jenkins nodded in agreement, but
said I'M the detective would he
brought On any way After lie others
had LEI the ring and the audience.
convinced Bert waa unhnrt. had
started oat. Peaky stood under the
cable II The spot where BERT had
fallen. He examined The ground and
after : moment picked - one Of the
little aIr rife darts lie nnf Il in his
pocket along with the knife that had
severed tie trapeae rope
Academia he mnIisred.
BERT stepped into hla IN. unaware
Of lurking danger lie I'D begun to
undreaa for bed when there came
rap II hIa door lie threw II open
and a. - did his fool struck a cord
drawn across the opening and he
started n plunge forward but he
never id reach the ground. His
head and left arm were caught In
moose drawing tight around him, A
series 81 heavy weights attached to a
rope which curved over limb directly
in front o. BeTt's van dropped down
ward a. h assembled TneY told how
he Raa drawn upward The diEap-
pearlnF figure OF the tied Mask"
told wiz.
To be continued1