Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-05
CHAPTER |
BOUND To THE ENEMY

At Mallinson's Office, the next
morning, Vivian Delamar, who was
deeply in love with her employer,
read in the newspaper the report of
the mysterious death of Dirks. A
great fear surged through her as the
thought came that MaIIins0n might
have had hand in the tragedy. Her
thoughts were quickly put to Toui
BY the sudden entrance of MallinSOn,
He gave only a curt nod to the
girl who loved him with all her
soul, and walked quickly into q
secret office where Sharkey awaited
him.
- suppose you know Dirks is
dead" Sharkey grinned, and after
MallinS0n nodded, he added: You'd
better Get to the control room and
make sure that his assistant is
capable of handling the situation"
Ma!linSon was about to agree
when DensloW entered the room.
DenslOW was chief engineer for
Ranger, Inc, but Mallinson had pre-
vailed on him to become his ally and
work against his fair employer,
Ruth Ranger
I've suddenly been ordered tG
sail to the Island Of Harkai to rush
that power house job" he an
nounced, and | don't like to leave
until | know where | stand in the
Haunted Valley matter"
Mallinson smiled grinly. Delay
that job" he snapped, until | fore-
close on Haunted Valley and III
add Dirks' share to yours"
Ruth Ranger was a very busy
young woman while this was going
on. Knowing that she mast use
every available means to repay the
million dollars to MallinsCn, ard
with her curiosity thoroughly
aroused by the strange warnings Of
The night before, the girl determined
to fathom the mystery of the valley.
With Dinny, her young protege, she
started on horseback.
Meanwhile, in the control room, in
The side of the butte, Mallinson was
making sure that the assistant of
me late Dirks understood every bit
Of the menacing mechanism. AS
he looked into the projection board
that mirrored the images of all per-
sons entering the valley, Mallinson
saw the image of Ruth riding
across it.
is everything covered up care,
fully" he asked. care you sure sheI
can see no traces of the water pa
The control man treasured him, and
It that moment Sharkey entered.
Does it mean anything to you" y,
re asked, that the man at Ruth'S'
house last night was Eugene Craig
"A so-called civil engineer? He's
outside the valley now and he's
either on our trail or Miss
Rangers"
MalIinson shrugged his shoulders,
out he looked worried, neverthe-j
rcss.
u don't know what Craig's game
IS" Sharkey continued, "but he's a
dangerous party"
POSSIBLY you're right" Mallinson.
answered, and turning to his control
man, he added, Don't harm the
girl, but if Craig enters the valley
let him have it,"
Meantime, while Ruth had not
seen water, she fancied she had,
heard the rushing current 1t puz-i
lied the girl. Was the water-to
rrlgate Haunted Valley-the key
to all the mystery, she wondered.
Her thoughts were put to rout by
me sudden appearance of Craig on
horseback. Since the exciting event
Of the night before a warm friend
ship had sprung up between the two
young people Ruth liked Eugene
Craig immensely, and he had PROM
ised to assist her in clearing up the
mystery.
You know" she began after her
greeting, there isn't drop of water
IN the valley, and yet | am sure /
heard a running stream"
Craig smiled. 81 can show you
something that may interest you,"
he said. 1"Just follow me-"
Together they leaped the fence
and rode toward the grotto. Here
they found Dinny, who was refresh
ing himself from the cool waters Of
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