Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-03
CHAPTER !
BOUND To THE ENEMY

- bGdutlIul girl $1,000 on q 1lllOCk
and cast her eyes over the swarm
Of workmen who were laboring to
finish the construction job at Lost
River Dam according to schedule.
In her hand she held a telegram.
and a troubled look passed over her
lovely features as she read and re-
read the contents.
Cannot meet monthly payroll
Come at once. Important directors
meeting" it said. The message
was signed, 'Weatherby."
Ruth Ranger, the last Of a famous
line, was President of Ranger, Inc,
an engineering firm that for three
quarters of a century had been so
famed for honest work and business
integrity that the word of a Ranger
was regarded as safe as a Govern
ment bond
The girl was also the owner of
Haunted Valley-a place of ungodly
lights and eerie shades; of lurking
terror and mysterious disappear,
ances. Although it afforded the
shortest course across the desert,
neither rancher nor traveller would
venture a second time into its
dreaded precincts.
While Ruth was attending TO
figure out how she could meet her
obligations, Harry Mallinson, a sup
posed friend of the girl who seemed
to know the real value of Haunted
Valley, was taking extraordinary
precautions TO guard the secret until
he could obtain the property.
Mallinson and his agents had built
unusual headquarters underground
and in the side of cliff, which
overlooked the dreary domain. NAL
linson called this spot his control
room, and well he might, for it con-
tanned various mechanisms that con-
trolled the valley and sent death
wherever the man desired it.
DirkS, his chief assistant, had
completed the invention of an odd
devlce-a chart, marked off into
squares and numbered, indicating
the position Of anyone entering the
valley and each number correspond
ing with a section. Every section
had its own particular terror for the
intruder After a few words TO
Dlrks, Mallinson glcefully departed.
Ruth Ranger finally came to the
decision that she had best return
to tue city and consult with her vice
president, Weatherby. She Travelled
sort distance in her smart road
Stef when she saw a truck ahead
Of her with a broken wheel, com.
pletely blocking the road.
The only other way to town,
Miss, one Of the drivers informed
her, is through that burned valley,
and | wouldn't advise you to 90
through tha, place"
The girl smiled confidently, and
not needing the words of warning,
started through the shortcut
through the valley She had covered
about half the distance when a ter
rife explosion behind her slfok the
earth and caused her car to skid peril
ously. Then another-and another.
Dlrks, in the control room WIS car
rylng out his Instructions. Ruth
put on full speed, She could not
understand the source of these
strange upheavals of dirt and gravel.
The girl had just reached the exit
from the valley when a final terrific
explosion seemed TO fairly lift her
III the air. She remembered no
more until she felt herself in a pair
Of strong arms.
why how long have | been
here ?" Ruth asked.
Eugene Craig was the name of
the young man who had rushed to
the girls assistance. He smiled at
her and assured her only a few
moments.
Il must get to the city at
once" the girl said, picking herself
UP and brushing the dirt from her
smart sport suit.
"I'll take you" the mysterious
young man volunteered. 81 only
came out to look at the valley"
An hour later in the city Ruth
learned the worst Weatherby in
formed her that unless a million
dollars were secured Immediately,
Ranger, Incorporated, would go TO
the wall. After a moment Of
thought, the girl came to a decision.
She was not beaten yet. With a
firm look on her face, she walked
from the Office, took a few steps
down the hall and entered the Office
of Henry MaIlinson where she was
warmly greeted by that gentleman,
Ruth decided to waste no time.