The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-05-16
THE IRON TEST
lllapter /.

Chapter 1.
Bert. grasping Edith's hands tightly
as the severed rope of the traeeze
gave under their weight, fought
desperately to avoid the plunge tna'
meant death to them both. As the
trapeze bar started to slip from I'M
der his knees, he thE4sW one leg up
ward and managed to wind It around
the remaining rope. Then he twisted
his other leg around 1t and. for the
moment. they we're safe, their plunge
halted.
THE attendant who had Edilhss horse
was the first to spring into action
While Jenkins and even Craven stood
helplegs and seemingly petriffed, the
man ran Forward with a blanket. the
audience was too intent watching the
death struggle in midair to note tne
rescuer, but Jenkins, standing IN Ihe
ring with the clown, sensed the res
cue quickly. Craven came up and ne
was 'onIv too willing to grasp one
corner OF the blanket SO that Edith
could land safely. jenkins held one
end, the clown another and the host
Ter the fourth.
Bert let Edith drop Into the blanket
and she landed safely, rolling lightly
out and making graceful DOW 70
tbe now cheering audience. Craven
LET go his end of the blanket to assist
Edith. and she, realizing Bert was
still in a perilous position Abort
grasped the edge and held II WhiIe
Bert dropped to safety.
When both his favorites we're safe
on the ground, Jenkins exploded.
"That rope was cuti' he exclaimed
in anger. I'm going TO wire to Los
Angeles for first Class detective
This thing cannot go on
Craven nodded his approval OF the
plan to get detective. :,
The party then left the ring-all
but PeakY. who picked up the knite
which the Red Mask" had used In
his dastardly attempt on BeTfs me,
He put It In his pocket aud smiled
wisely.
THE act of Bert and Edith, which
had provided thrill not On the pro
gram. had closed the afternoon per
forufance and Jenkins, Craven and
others accompanied the stars To their
vans Bert was apparently nnrufiied
Nv the experience, but Edith was
MAINLY unnerved After seeing her
to her van, Bert announced that ne
was going to Benham, on the olhef
side of the bay, for set Of fags he
had ordered for use In new act that
was To be tried that night.
Take M car" suggested jenkins
No. II shoot across tie hay IN q
motorboat and be back in IN hour
replied. Bert He then turned To
Craven and invited him To 90. but
the latter replied
Not ne, I've got 10 % 10 the
hotel and work on my accounts.
Borf quickly changed from hia COW
boy toys 70 ordinary clothes and
started toward the bay. stopping to
pIay with one Of the bears As he
passed the animal tent. Meantime
Craven had repaired TO his hotel.
Arriving At the dock. Bert hired the
only moforbnat trim little craft
with skin behind It. lie then leaped
Immediately aboard and started away
He had gone about mile ont INTO the
bav when The boat began 70 slow M,
He looked over the side and saw that
Il had run afoul OF mass Of DRIFT
wood. Giving the painter a turn
around the wheel TO keep he boat
headed straight, he grabbed boat
hook and started forward. lie began
to push at the obstacle.
AS Bert bent over the bow. he "Red
Mask suddenly emerged from the
cabin. where he had been hidden. lie
was armed with a club Creeping up
behind Bert he struck him re-
sounding blow on the back Of the
head aud Bert toppled forward. I'M
conscious. lie did not fall into the
water. but Tied Mask started to
push him IN Then the villain chang
ed his mind and went aft. dragging
Bert's inert body Red Mask ent o
length OF the painter, securely bound
Bert and left him in the cockpit.
Then he vent into the cabin. brought
out bit and brace and proceeded 10
bore a hole in the bottom Of the
the launch. Red Mask" leaped into the
the launch, Red Mask leapt into the
skin. cut loose and commenced to row
back to land.
Bert came to with all but his head
submerged lie struggled 10 free him
self, but was Too tightly bound. Then
he noted = hook at one side Of the
cockpit where water bucket hung.
Working his way to II. he commenced
to saw the rope across 1t aud after Il
seemingly endless time. freed his
hands. The launch by this time was
almost submerged. Quickly Kidding
himeef Of the bonds around his legs,
Bert loaped into the water.
After a short swim he landed in
shallow water. on the edge n an is