Evening star., 1921-05-29

NAN WHO HIDES HIS FAtE:
TO see Slim whether this fellow. Sim
mons. has got a face
He had the word" the leader
answered. land look at that scar.
But you're right; Nora; If there's
bull here he's behind that mask.
Then make him take it or" she
said.
Garth's croaking voice was torn
with dismay.
NO warn YOU Spare me and
yourselves that. It's not pretty. wha t
you'd see.
IF this isn't Simmons said the
leader. we're out of the running for
tonight. anyway. If il is. what do
we gain by making a show of him
This is what l was going to propose:
Only one of US need look
''That1I do. Nora agreed We'll.
Who?''
Let George look" said the leader.
Look yourself" George answered.
I'm no dime museum fiend.'
Suddenly Garth arose.
Maybe the lady, he croa ked.
She's so set on it. A pleasant sight
for ladies'"
Nora flushed angrily.
III call that bluff"'
Garth caught the expressions of
the others. He noticed their ready
hands. While his fingers rose to the
fastenings of the gray mask he turned
slowly and faced Nora.
Holding her with his eyes, he
Slipped the gray mask aside
He saw her stare while the angry
color left her cheeks. 1t seemed to
MIN a long time before terror twisted
her face. before she screamed He
watched her cover back. crossing her
arms over her eyes; watched her fall
against the wall. where she bent,
trembling
Garth replaced the mask, shrug-
ging his shoulders. and turned to the
others. The leader laughed lightly.
with satisfaction.
Never dreamed it was as bad as
that, Simmons. You're right. Don't
to be sure"
Garth nodded. He sat down. Let
the girl speak. Until then he would
play his part.
Looks as if the stool lost a log
somewhere" he said.
Garth waited then for her to be-
tray him, but she only stammered a
little.
He's right. A pleasant sight for
iadles: Boat-must have thrown
them off the track"
Garth pressed his lips together He
beckoned to Slim. He took the whip
in his own hands
rs the safe here? Are we going to
spend the rest Of the night on this
boat? II the cops are awake it isn't
wise.
"AlI right" the leader said. George.
you and Nora and Simmons wait here.
The rest of you start out"
The studious-appe youth, the
tramp. the dandy and the elderly man
nled through the door and silently
closed it. The leader spoke to Cart h
quickly.
HCEORGE will unlock the safe
without any trouble Hes the
best in the business. Your Jobs to
open it and handle what you find
without blowing the lot of us to ever
lasting dirt"
Garth stirred uneasily.
Explosives" he said. 81 see why
you wanted me-"
The pays high" Slim answered.
THE fellows that are after this stun
don't trust diplomatic talk Every
BODY wants it il only to be sure that
nobody else gets it, The inventor
thinks Uncle Sam ought to have it, il
anybody. but he's been holding of
It's new. and he's afraid of it himself.
or he thinks he can perfect it. Can
you handle the stuff with "A degree of
dt.eI you nave READ the FORM
ula? II there's anything phony about
your education. drop off here"
Garth fingered frayed sheet of
white paper.
, Il am not afraid if I can see the
formula" he said
The leader turned to Nora.
You're sure there's some of the
stun in the safe with the formula ?
The foreigner wouldn't dicker without
| a sample to analyze."
saw the formula and the sacks
put in the safe tonight" she answered.
! George shook his head
| Nora. you're d wonder"
| No wonder" she said contemptu-
| ously. Nothing but hard work An
| lmbec.!e could have made friends with
| the housskecper. but it took drudgery
TO get at the old man. I won't waste
| that. If there's any slip-'
| The leader glanced at the gray
| mask
! That's up to Simmons now" he
said.
Gar;h's fingers played with the
piece of white paper
! You haven't told me where the
| house is he said
the moment the leader had answer
| ed. Garth was standing on the bench
, He waved his arm. Suddenly he blew
out the lamp.
"On the dock" he stamMered to the
darkness. "A noise"'
AS the others crept to the door he
| scratched rapidly and silently with q
match on the paper the location OF
the house. the nature of the job anG
an appeal for help. When he was
| through he heard the others coming
/ back.
/ IF your nerves jump like that
! Simmons. what chance we'll have"
George said. Not a sign. Light up
Garth struck the match and re-
! lighted the lamp.
II never take unnecessary risks,
he said simply.
The leader opened the door.
| It's time. he said. They're
! asleep in the house by now"
They followed him into u stone