The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-10
CHAPTER XVI.

The Pearlhunter picked up the bit of
scarlet cloth that had fallen from the
dead mans hand. 1t is surprising how
fast man can think when he has to.
The mystery of the arm thrust in at
the cabin window across the moonlight
cleared. The finding of a. red mask
beside the body would identify the
murderer to any man in the Wabash
country; the finding of another, upon
search of the cabin, would be deemed
sufficient proof that the tenant Of the
cabin was the murderer.
But why had the bandit planned to
lay the theft of the jewel on him? 1t
was not his way. He took his toll at
the pistols point and galloped away.
Why had he changed his methods
now? al
He had laid his plans well, though
they hadn't worked out quite as he
expected. The killing of Louie Solo
mon had been an accident, forced on
him by the fact that the little Jew,
in his struggles, had CHANGED to claw
the mask off and had recognized him.
Otherwise he would have merely chok-
ed him into Inconsistencies, taken
the pearl, and left the mask behind to
complete the tangle he was weaving
around another man. He had prob
ably intended taking the pearl some
time that night, leaving his mask be-
hind, and afterward, when the hue and
cry was raised, to suggest search of
the cabin. His chance had come soon
er than he had expected. OF course.
he could not have foreseen that the
man he wished to fix the crime upon
L. ~ 3 - ~
1t was not lost on the Pearlhunter
that he had undoubtedly crowded the
murderer close, else why had he left
the knife? But why all these elaborate
plans against him? Was it some an
cient grudge he bore his blood? Did
he wish somebody to die in his place
to deceive an outraged world into
thinking the Red Mask was settled for
good and all, and so give him chance
to start over again? Was it because
he was not yet ready to leave the Flat
woods? 1t was probably for all these
reasons. But with the latter, there
flashed across the young mans mind
that scene at the fence. 1t stung him
ike a lash.
Even though the evidence secreted in
the cabin was now in ashes. by that
dead body was the most dangerous
place in the world for him just then.
Hardly five seconds had passed since
the last gasp Of Louie Solomon, so fast
does man think under such stress,
when the Pearlhunter threw the mask
down by the body and turned to steal
back up the hill.
up with 'emi"
He whirled; stared; slowly raised his
hands It's one thing to face odds;
quite another to face certain death.
Behind the three black muzzles polk
ing out through the bushes glowered
the truculent, bearded faces ~of Louie
Solomon's three rowers.
Grim as the three Fates, they stalked
toward him. Two of them kept him
covered, while the third plucked the
revolver from his pocket and dropped
it into his own. After that he bent
over the body of his master; touched
his face; lifted a hand; laid it across
his breast. He picked up the red mask.
and snarled around at the others. The
others growled; swore; and the Pearl
hunter fancied the revolvers pointed
at him a little straighter, little more
vindictively. 1t was not the first time
these three had faced the Red Mask.
He had long been their particular
nightmare. It was the first time they
had seen him with his mask off, and
with empty hands.
The one kneeling by the body seemed
to be the leader. He felt carefully in
side the pocket where the pearl had
been pinned; searched the other
pockets; felt carefully over the cloth
ing. He rose after the fruitless search
and face the Pearlhunter.
Where iss it2''
The Pearlhunter shook his head.
with snarled word OF Yfddish,
doubtless a curse. and flourish of his
clenched hand that came uncomfort-
ably close to the young mans face, the
Jew began to search him; pockets;
hens: waist band; socks: even his hat
band, ears and hair. OF course the
search again proved fruitless. The jew
drew his revolver, cooked it. and
thrust it into the PearIhunter's face.
where iss it2
CONTINUED tomorrow.)
wa farr,,aIar, war IS the very la test