Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-07-11

Fortunately, a small ledge jutted
out just below the cliff, and this
broke the fall of Ruth Ranger and
Eugene Craig. Both were a bit
shaken up, but outside of that they
we're none the worse for the expert
ment. Ruth could not understand
the eveRts that had happened in the
valley, or the disappearance of
Sharkey. However, Craig advised
her to have the entire valley search.
ed the next day 10 see if the mys-
terious forces operating there could
be discovered.
The search was made under the
direction Of Craig, and nothing was
discovered. The young couple next
decided TO go ahead with the scheme
of irrigating the valley, hoping in
that way they might discoyer. some.
thing about the fabulous wealth
limited at by Sharkey.vf -fg
At his office the next afternoon,
Henry Mallinson was engaged in
deep drought. Vivian Delamar,
deeply in love with the man, watch
ed over him anxiously, wondering
what his next move might be. The
loss of his one confidential man,
Sharkey, had lead Mallinson to send
for Brennon, the office manager Of
Ranger, Inc. At that moment Bren-
non entered. -, on v
my little proposition IA Mallinson
asked, looking up at Brennon. "Of
course, you understand you must not
let II interfere with your connec-
ton with the Ranger outfit" Bren.
non nodded you can have Shark
ey's old office for our private con-
ferences," Mallinson added "You
must never come here openly
again"
Il think | understand you, Mr.,
Mallinson," Brennon replied.
Several days ago." Mallinson
continued, Miss Ranger discovered
an underground stream of water in
Haunted Valley. Do you know if
she has any plans or intentions in
trying TO irrigate the valley ?"
Indeed she has. Plans have al
ready been drawn up and they were
delivered to her this morning"
"Then your first Job is to get
those plans" smiled Mallinson. at
would be fatal to my schemes to
have her put a force of workmen in
Haunted Valley at this time. Get
those plans as soon as possible"
While this was going on, Ruth
and Craig we're in conference with
Weatherby in the Offices of Ranger,
Inc. The girl learned that all the
engineering projects were advanc-
ing briskIy, so that full attention
could be given to Haunted Valley.
Ruth decided that the next thing to
do would be to look over the plans
for the irrigation work
At that moracnt, Brennon entered
from Mallinson's office and hasten
ed TO the vault where the Ranger
papers we're kept. AS he was about
to extract the plans, Ruth entered
and courteously and without sus-
picion explained that she was just
on the point of getting the plans
herself, as she had intended to
study them that evening. Brennon
was at loss what to do, but man
aged to cover his confusion.
Evening found Ruth and Craig
seated at a large table in the library
pouring over the plans. when
discovered the underground stream
| thought | had learned why Mallin-
son wanted Haunted Valley. But
aow guess we're farther up tree
.han ever" the girl declared.
Brennon had lost no time in get
ting in touch with Henry Mallinson
and informed him that Ruth had the
plans of the valley in her posses
sion. That Mallinson was diSap-
pointed is putting it mildly. How
ever, he Immediately conceived a
plan 10 gain them for himself
While Ruth and Craig were
studying the blue-prints, several
mysterious figures we're skulking
about the grounds, one of them in
feminine attire. These figures
seemed TO be busy carrying out a
prearranged plan. Two of them
hurried toward the house, while two
or three others were stretching a
wire close TO the ground where light
streamed through the french win
dows. Two others were standing
with the female figure, ready to go
into action at the signal.
Finally everything was ready and
low whistle sounded. The two
men and the female figure advanced
into the light area outside the
french window. The men seized
the woman, and in the struggle
that followed a shrill scream was
heard.
Ruth and Craig heard the scream
Ihey both rushed to the french