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

inland, but soon IOunu - W60 -
barren island. He heard the screen
of a wild duck and this gave him AZ
idea. a long chance that might save
him. He fashioned a screen OF reeds
and managed to. decoy three ducks.
Then, using his cuffs for paper, q
piece of reed for pen and q few
drops of his own blood for ink, ne
wrote a note reading:
jenkins Circus, Benham, CaE
Wrecked on Island in bay. Help. T.
Forde."
He released the three birds, one
bearing his message. and sat down 20
wait. He had little hope OF rescue
Two hunters, their launch filled
with fat game, were startled soon al
ter to see a duck flying low over
them, apparently with letter tied to
one Of its legs. One of them Tired
and the bird an instant later futtered
to the water. They went to the spot,
picked up bird and message and
started at once to Bert'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, it had grown dark and
Edith and Jenkins had begun to worry
over Bert's continued absence. The
evening performance began and was
almost over. Still no sign Of Bert
Craven, pretending worry, said ne
would go 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 a
contest with Peaky, shooting little
pointed darts at board with num-
bers corresponding to numbers on
prizes. He paid no money and &C
icepted no prizes, but even with the
little air rifle the man displayed re-
markable craftsmanship and Peaky,
good shot that he was, was no match
for him.
Craven sauntered back to the main
tent. Jenkins by now was almost
distracted, because the show was al
most over and Bert's new act, soon
due, was to be the climax. Every
thing was i'm readiness for the act
except the actor. Jenkins broke I'M
der the strain and stepped into the
center of the ring to apologize to the
audience. He had only begun to ex-
plain Bert's absence when suddenly
there was an outburst OF cheering
Bert, in cowboy costume, rode into
the ring on his horse Diabolus with
balancing pole, the French flag
Ifuttering from one end, Old Glory
from the other.
! He bowed to the audience, then
started Diabolus up the runway to a
Ii .,oI, -tr nfah cd
between two platforms fifteen feet in
1 the air. lit was the introduction OF
his new act DiaboTus was to walk
the tight rope, bearing Bert on his
back. AS the magnificent horse stepp-
ed foot on the cable, there was rent
in the tent at one side. The evil,
half-visible face OF Red Mask" show
/ ed through and then the point of
tiny rifle.
The horse was half way across the
cable. Suddenly there was a sharp
ping and the beast reared, falling
to the ground with his rider.
Neither horse or rider was hurt.
As Jenkins, Edith and the others
gathered around, Bert said to Jen-
kins:
mo detective work needed there-I
guess that was an accident"
Jenkins nodded in agreement, but
said that the detective would be
brought on any way. After the others
had left the ring and the audience,
convinced Bert was unhurt, had
started out, Peaky stood under the
cable at the spot where Bert had
fallen. He examined the ground and
after moment picked up one Of the
little air rifle darts. He put it in his
pocket along with the knife that had
severed the trapeze rope.
"Accident-Hell!" he muttered.
Bert stepped into his van, unaware
of lurking danger. He had begun to
undress for bed when there came a
rap at his door. He threw it open
and as he did his foot struck cord
drawn across the opening and he
started to plunge forward. But he
never did reach the ground. His
head and left arm were caught in a
moose drawing tight around him. A
series of heavy weights attached to a
rope which curved over limb directly
in front of Bert's van dropped down
ward as he assembled. They told how
he was drawn upward. The disap-
pearing figure Of the Red Mask"
told why.
(To be continued.)