Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-10
CHAPTER VI
The BRINK or ETERNITY

Mallinson was in a rage. Sharkey
had rushed breat1lessly into his
home and informed him of the near
tragedy of Ruth Ranger and Eugene
Craig in the demolished shack. In
fact, so angry was Henry Mallinson
that Sharkey couldn't figure out
whether he was raging because the
two young people had not been kill
ed, or because of the rashness of
the act itself
M whole scheme for getting
control of Haunted Valley has been
esdangered by your stupidity" Mai
llnSOn roared. Il hired YOU so that
| could work under cover. Yet YOU
were at the dam with the two fore
men who were arrested, and tonight
you have come here. If YOU were
followed, the trail would lead di-
rectly to my door"
Mallinson Immediately called Ruth
on the phone and learned that there
were no serious injuries. In fact,
both Ruth and. Craig had escaped
unscratched. AS Vivian Delamar
was at Ruth's, Mallinson requested
that she come Immediately 10 his
home.
Mr.. MallinsQn requests that /
stop in on my way home" Vivian
said, turning to Ruth.
"Then let Mr.. Craig drop YOU
there" Ruth answered. "Wait
moment while get my wraps and
I'll 60 along"
AS Ruth ran upstairs, Vivian saw
her opportunity. at would be so,
romantic i? Ruth would fail TO repay
the million she said to Craig.
why, what do you mean?"
young man answered.
IF she fails, she not orlv -.
feits Haunted Valley, but
ries MIR. Mallinson,' Vivian ,..utc
She was extremely pleased to see
the effect.on Craig, and added, "Oh,.
forgive me, thought you knew.
Please don't let anyone know | told
you" Vivian was not going to let
MaIlinson .slip through her Singers
she could help it.
AS Craig was still bordering over.
the news and all it meant to him.
Ruth tripped ;aintily down the stairs
dressed tor the ride, anu all three
left the house together.
Meanwhile, the dispute between
7enry Mallinson and Sharkey was
becoming extremely heated. Look
hYre," Sharkey exclaimed. "Thus
far have been loyal to you and
I've worked hard to help you achieve
your ambition to control Haunted
Valley. But what would the world
say if it we're known that the re-
spectacle millionaire, Mallinson, had
resorted to desperate and fnurderous
methods to gain his ends ?"
MallinsOn became livid "Dirks
tried to threaten me- he said, "and
Dirks is dead. Denslow used the
same tactics, and for your informa-
ton I'll tell you that Denslow will.
never be seen again. Just look Quit"
Sharkey saw that it was best TO
keep his temper He picked his cap
off Of Mallinson's desk and walked
sullenly from the room.
A moment later, Craig with Ruth
Ranger and Vivian Delamar drove
up to Mallinsons house. As Craig
stopped the car, and Vivian depart
ed, he noticed a man walking down
the sidewalk that led from the house.
Thea, as the man stepped into
roadster, an ejaculation of surprise
passed Craig's lips.
Great Scott, Ruth" Craig ex-
claimed. That's him-that's the
fellow behind that plot with the
freight car" And as Sharkey has
lily drove from the curb, Craig
started his own machine in swift
pursuit
Craig and Ruth had an exciting
chase on their hands trying to catch
the fleeing Sharkey Around corn
crs they went, up side streets, and
iinally into an alleyway Sharkey
leapca from his car and rushed for
a stone wall directly in front of him.
But Craig darted after him, seized
him and dragged him to the ground
before he could get over.
"You we're responsible for the ac-
cidcnt at the dam, and you are in
touch with Mallinson," Craig &C
cused "Now if you've got any
thing to say, speak up!"
Sharkey suddenly realized that
only the truth could save him.
"Mallinson is determined to have
Haunted Valley at any COST" he an
SWered
"But what has Mallinson to gain ?''
asked Ruth, amazed at is true
that | have discovered water in the
valley, but TO irrigate the land would
take months; and even then the val