The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-05-09
THE IRON TEST"
0hanfer 3.

Chapter Q.
Saved for the moment from death
as the circus van plunged on the
road into the chasm hundreds Of feet
below, Bert chung with one arm to
the branch of the over-hanging tree,
With Edith's arms about his neck,
then his great strength, Slapped by
the narrowing experiences Of the
night before, gave way He babe the
girl slide down his form and drop to
the road, which she did and scarcely
had she landed, on the very brink of
the precipice, then he fell an inert
and senseless form beside her.
Far up the road on their horses,
Craven and Peaky watched the re-
suit of their latest villainous plot
against the brave heir to the Beres-
ford millions and the exultation on
the face of the former turned to rage
as he saw Bert had escaped the
death plunge. Turning angirly to
Peaky Craven ordered him to ride
fast and summon jenkins, while he
galloped to the assistance Of his
Would-be victims.
CleYerly Stimulating sympathy and
horror at the accident, Craven was
helping revive Bert when Jenkins
rode up and demands how 1t happen
ed. The two eonaplrators are silent,
but Edith, shndder crossing her
face as II she had seen vision, ex
claimed:
This is some more OF the work of
the mysterious Red Mask"
At the name Of the mysterious vii
Ian. jenkins breaks into anger and
threats to which Craven and Peaky
add their indignation and promises to
guard against and if possible to ap-
prehend the villain of mystery. In
der the tender mInistrations of Edith,
Bert is soon revived and Bdith.a van
having been called back, he Is placed
IN that and with Jenkins on the
drivers seat the journey Is resumed
10 the next town.
Craven, villain that he waH. vas
much upset At the nearness Of Edith
10 the death he had plotted only for
Bert and was riding along IN moody
silence when Peaky overlook him and
with a knowing grin. said:
Your Red Musk friend nearly put
il over that Time. That Forde SIRENS
a tough customer TO kill"
I'll see thai he doesn't make a
mess of Il next time" was Cragen'B
snarllng response.
An hour later and the circus reach
ed the outskirts of the town and The
wagons we're parked and preparations
made for the afternoon performance
Jenkins, busy. left Bert In Ediths
care and her deep love for him was
manifest as she leaned over 10 give
him a glass Of water. Their eyes
met and giving way TO her emotions
she WAS about Ii give him her first
kiss when like flash there came to
her the pictures in the locket=--ple-
lures OF him and his sweetheart Or
wife she knew not which, and with
tremOr Of pain and WEAKNESS she
turned and went 10 the van window
Outside all Has hustle and she
noted when PeakY came 10 the van
and OyersaW the placing there ny
conntryman Of load of hay and she
wondered for an instant why Il should
be placed there. But her attention
VAS diverted By The arrival Of jenkins
and doctor who found Bert IN con
siderable fex = and she readily as
scented when = xas suggested he be
removed to hospital nearby. de-
eliHing, however. n accompany him
saying she would remain for the
evening performance
Darkness had fallen and Edith vas
asleep In the Yan when Craven came
up to Peaky and in voice that waE
little short of an order. said.
At twelve o'clock tonight you be
IN that road=honse over there and
put 1t over strong that you're there.
Have plenty o. witnesses 10 your
alibi"
Peaky started 10 ask questions. but
Craven shut hin on and the former
agreed 10 be IN the road-huuae. add.
Ing parting shot rs he left.
1 guess you're going to get Y1nr
friend, Red Mask. on the Job agaIn
en-"
Craven gave 10 reply. but snaIahIng
his grip started N 10 the nexf IrW1
calling back = Jenkins rs h lie
parted.
Hope nothing happens while Tn
como"
The evening performance had md
FL when Red Mask stealthiIy ap-
preached Edith.s van and paerIng m
. 4 w'heow md mistakinK har for
Bert on the bunk hastily affixed an
internal machine 10 a wheel. setting
tEe cock TO explode the charge at
1ust midi 'Fht.
An hour passed and Edith aRoke
With strange feeling OF impending
peril and loneliness for Bert. She
rose from the hunk to read. but her
nervousness only increased until
finally she stole away in the night to
be nearer Bert