San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-10
Begin Here Today.

Hope Ranger, daughter of Lorine
Ranger, is missing after having lunch
con with friends at the Plaza. A re-
ward of hundred thousand dollars is
offered by the father for the return
of his daughter.
Acting upon instructions from
Hopes abductors, Ranger deposits a
hundred thousand dollars worth OF
bonds in a specified place.
Juarez Charlie. adventurer and
friend of Ranger, follows the ma
chine which collects the bonds for
the criminals. He loses track of it
when his motorcycle is disabled and
stops at garage for repairs.
There he meets girl who gives
him a clew. Hope is a prisoner in
DIR. Bristow's private hospital and
she and DIR. Kelsey plan an escape
in Bristow's car. Now go on with
the story.
While they questioned and COM
mented and advanced different theor-
les, he was revolving an expedient
which had suggested itself TO him as
the best means of separating the
Princess from the rest of the party.
by the way" he appeared to
speak under sudden inspiration,
Lone Hill Inn is only short dis
lance from here and you will be held
two hours before your car is ready
for the road. Won't you all be my
guests at dinner? We can probably
get some kind of conveyance to
take us over"
But Mrs. Greenberg thrifty pro-
tested. Ana, MAI she wagged her
head negatively. "That would be
imposin' on good nature, Mr.. Woozer,
I've heard how they sting you over
to that Lone Hill Inn. My sister
in-law stopped there once, and she
says all they had was crabmeat salad
and tea for three, and when the
check came-would you believe it?-
it was thirteen dollars and forty
cents. Positively. Not countin' the
waiter.
INA, Nal" If you want to take Miss
Da Costa and go, it's all right. Well
wait until you get back. And you
needn't mind about us here. We've
got good lunch in the car"
The Princess demurred faint
heartedly. and Charlie, who wanted
to pat Mrs. Greenberg's fat shoulder
for this show of tact and sound
common-sense, pretended to accept
her decision with reluctance. -
go ahead. Elsie" urged Miss
Schupp and Miss Mccarthy. There
was no question in their minds that
their friend had made the conquest
of an eccentric millionaire, and they
were generously inclined to help the
good cause along.
Juarez Charlie, fearing change
of mind. hurried the Princess into
the garage-keeper's flivver, and they
drove away with the shock-headed
boy acting as chauffeur.
His proximity and willingness to
overhear everything that was said
permitted nothing but the most cas-
ual conservation, mostly in the ma
ture of badinage on Charles part.
But under his lively banter he
never forgot his purpose. Yet even
after they reached the Inn and were
seated at a small table. the gentle
flattering third degree which awaited
the Princess had still to be deferred.
In that expensive environment
with groups and couples of the, new
rich all about them. and one Of those
intimately attentive walters hover
ing over them, Miss Da Costa be-
came self-consciously absorbed in
her own impersonation-tbe finished
cosmopolite viewing the multitude
through a nou-existent lorgnette.
In order to rccapturc her wander.
ing attention, and also to get rid OF
the irritation of a pcrsistently buzz
ing fly. Charlie began to consult her
about the menu, ordering so prodi'
gally that she gasped and remon
strated. a
thing over and over in her mind
Suddenly she came back to the pres
cnt. all vivacity, her blue eyes
sparkling.
"Do you know. I've just beer
thinking about that hat. and | be
lieve I've struck it at last. Listen.