Evening star., 1921-05-29

ed them reappear. leading third who
wore a gray mask above plain
brown suit. He heard Croaking. un-
natural voice issue from behind the
mask.
Didn't look for you so soon
friends"
Excitement drove the melancholy
from Garth's brain. The undertaking
had begun reassuringly. Simmons had
no suspicion that he was in the hands
of the police. Garth noticed also as the
train went on that the passengers
were not aware of the substitution.
At last the train paused for the
change from locomotive to electric
car Although he knew that normally
no passengers would board it at this
place. he gaZed anxiouSly from the
window. man stood close TO the
track with the evident intention of
entering the train. Garth saw him
elude a brakeman. saw him grasp the
railing and swing himself out OF
sight A moment later the man walked
into the car, stopped dead. and turn
ed sharp, inquiSitive eyes on the gray
mask.
You must be a star gambler. judg-
ing from your face
He continued to stare Is though ex-
pectant of an answer. Perhaps some
countersign was demanded. Garth con :
centrated his thoughts with diff
GUILTY. One word had Strayed circuit
ously from the gang to him. He used
it at random. trying to approximate
the voice he had heard at the bridge.
THAT depends on whether l hold
the ace" --~---.-----..-. .---
"suppose you take a little stroll
Garth arose and followed him down
the aisle.
They paused on the platform. Garth
thought it likely that one OF the in
spector's men was in the car. but. of
course the fellow would not CONFESS
himself by stepping to the vestibule
al their heels. 1t would be enough for
him to know that they were on board
and that the train was not scheduled
to stop before reaching the Grand
Garth knew that. too. Therefore he
could not understand why his conduc-
tor stopped and with an air OF conn
dence opened the vestibule door and
raised the trap. Gath started. Tor. as
il the engineer were an accomplice
and had received some subtle signal.
the brakes began to grind while the
train lost it's speed rapidly:
The slender man grasped Garth $
arm. and, as the train stopped. leapeo
with him to the right of way and hur-
ried him into the shadows at the foot
of the embankment.
He saw ahead the red and green
lights Of an open drawbridge. He un-
derstood now, and marreled at the
simplicity of the trick. 1t had been
ONLY necessary to send some small
boat to loiter in the draw at the prop
er moment to assure the security OF
the conspiratorS.
Immediately Garth lost all sense OF
direction. The other led stealthy.
circular course through a lumber
yard across fence. around darkened
buildings. and finally onto a small
wharf 4 craft was moored there II
lay in darkness except for IT'S naVl-
eating lights. and, as Garth looked,
even these were extinguished.
The slender man glided across the
wharf and. Garth at his heels. stepped
to the deck. There he reached over
the railing. dropping something from
his hand. Garth heard three spiashes
at regular intervals. A blade OF light
flashed sharply athwart the darkness
and became an open doorway. framing
troubled face.
Garth. showed from behind. STUN
bled over the sill into the presence
like cats. wary and suspicious.
The slender man slipped in after
him. closing the door.
The cops are drunk with sleep"
he said.
Garth brea,hed again. He glanced
curiosity. One. sallow youth with
untidy yellow hair and large-rimmed I'd
eyegla might have been stu
dent of the most devoted species.
Another cunningly resembied we'll
to-do business man. while third
had the clothing and the air of a
! tramp. The fourth. with his dapper
| tailoring and ferrstiike face. was
more familiar to the expert in crime.
/ These. however. Garth passed over
quickly for the nth. This man
| brought his huge, handsome figure
! forward and leaned heavily on the
| table In this man. whom the others
called George. Garth perhaps fOresaw
! a special and unintclligible menace
| The slender man. who clearly was
! the leader. crossed the room.
| He swung on Simmons.
/ Now. listen. All YOU know is that
We wanted scientific fellow who
! doesn't use his profession exclusively
: for the benefit of humanity. Also
! one without any nerves. We're wait
/ have to do is to keep close 10
| George We're going to crack a safe
! but you needn't be ashamed of this
! job. simmons
Just then three faint and regular
] splashes came from the water.
! They all held their poses of the
moment statuesqucly until. at d nod
| from the leader. the intellectual <
! looking Youth arose and moved to.
/ ward the door. He turned the lock
! and opened the door a little. 1t was
pushed boisterously against him, and
! Garth, his view unobstructed now
! gaZed incredulouSly at Noras blaz
| ing. painted face.
! x <
J.-OE moment the room Went
black All a; once he realized
| devious must he without the slight
cst ambiguity. Perhaps it was Ar
| iil-advised attempt to rescue him
from the net. He waited tensely fol-
some word. His heart sank. She