Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-12

Henry Mallinson made a clever
stroke and threw all suspicion from
himself regarding the kidnapping of
Ruth Ranger. Brennon was forced
to shoulder all the blame, and his
reward for his assistance TO Mallin-
son was prison bars. Ruth immedi-
ately got in communication with her
home and informed Eugene Craig
that she was safe and that she
would be home in a very short time.
Mallinson determined TO SOW new
seeds into the girls mind, knowing
that Craig must now have the plans
in his possession.
SIT is known that you own Haunt
ed Valley, and that | hold it as
security fon a loanS Mallinson con-
fided. 81 suspect that a powerful
enemy Of yours has discovered
something of tremendous value,
and that he is determined to obtain
control of the valley. Such man
would halt at nothing to gain his
ends. Knowing that you might for
felt the valley to me, he has in
cluded me in his attacks"
why, that is highly improbable!"
the girl exclaimed.
ooh, don't know! Look at all
the perils you have encountered re-
Gently. What I'd like to know is,
who is this man Craig? Where. did
he come from? Doesn't he seem TO
know all your plans and projects ?"
'If it were Craig" Ruth replied,
"why should he take violent means.
to steal the plans from me tonight.
when he had access to the plans al
ready and knew their contents ?"
ITO hide his hand, answered the
clever Mallinson.
AS they drew up before Ruth S
home, Craig saw them alighting. He
decided to conceal himself and await
developments. But before leaving
the room, he took the plans from
the table and carried them with
him.
As the new arrivals entered,
Ruth turned to Malinson and said,
81 believe the only value to Haunt
ed Valley lies in the possibility of
irrigating it, shall be glad to
show you my plans" The girl led
Mallinson into the living room.
Craig was gone Ruth glanced
quickly around the room. The
French window was open AS the
girls eyes turned to the hearth she
saw some papers smoldering Ruth
cried out and picked UP the burnt
corners of the plans-the rest were
in ashes.
"The only copy of the plans is
burned" she cried, and Mr. Craig
is gone! What does it mean?"
This was Mallinson's moment of
triumph A shrug of his shoulders
seemed to say, What did tell
you ?" Ruth was considerably up
set She had trusted Craig and was
getting extremely fond of him. She
told Mallinson that she wanted to
be left alone.
Vivian Delamar was hiding be-
hind a French window and was
greatly relieved when she saw
Mallinson leave Ruth. AS soon as
Mallinson departed, Craig entered
the room.
81 was afraid you would show
the plans to MaIlinson," he explain
ed, so | made little fire of fold
ed newspapers and added these torn
corners to make it realistic" Ruth
was bewildered when the young
man handed her the blue prints
She didn't know what to think Of
him.
All this was taken in by Vivian,
who fastened to overtake Mallinson
and irnpart the information MaIln-
son ided to do a little spying on
his own account, and with Vivian
he took up a position at the window.
AS they watched, a cowboy enter
ed the room and approached Ruth.
81 picked this up" he said, "in
Haunted Valley, but couldn't find
the connecting wires. He un-
wrapped the parcel and disclosed a
radio headpiece. Mallinson was ter
ribly alarmed as he observed this
from his spot
Things are coming our way at
last" Craig said. "You go to the
valley in the morning, Ruth, and
trace up this radio outfit Pm
going to see Brennon in his cell and
force him to talk"
Mallinson realized that he must
act quickly, so by the time that
Craig reached the cell, Brennon had
already received his instructions.
There is a secret room on the
same floor as the Ranger Offices, F"
he informed Craig "You might
get a clue there. know very little
Of the plot myself" Craig was de-
u lighted and left the spot in a CHEEKY
mood