The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-05-19

his own gun Every chamber was
empty. but it had served as a bluff
lie stopped the car and Marian.
worn ana dishcyeled. Joined him on
the front seat.
Clark started and drove tho ear
again 10 tho city
Thru the highway that was the
scene OF their Wild ride the night be.
fore. down into the city's heart and
up the hill 90 their hotel Clark drove.
Put up my car" Clark directed
the footman az the door. Notify me
" anyone calls for u. DO no, let
them take Il until have been sum.
moned." he said
Then they hurried 10 their rooms.
which they found ~ they had left
them. The fog lifted ana the sun.
shine streamsd In. This Sound rlis.
tened peacefully thru the windows.
They were back In the wofkaday
world. away from the dreamlani Of
mad adventure.
Clark was too exhausted 20 notify
tho police AZ once. They needed food
and drink and sleep. Clark ordered
breakfast. They ate ravsnousiy and
then retired. Marian eiinEiuE Tor a
moment 10 Clark % he left her a. tho
door OF her bedroom.
How louE they slept Clark ala not
know when he awoke. Marian was
EtiiI asleep 10 tho adjoining suite lie
wa conscious u Sigh, stir In The
parlor OF hi. suite. tfc thought he
heard a door closed softly.
II was probably a maid. come 10
make up tho suite. be thought But
he got OUT Of bed and entered the
next room. A fragrant perfume that
stirred hidden memories aSsaiisd his
nostrils AZ he cros.ed tho Threshold.
II was tho same exotic perfume
tina, had surrounded tho mysterious
woman IN black tho night he had en-.
tered tho house Of a hundred win.
dows on Beaeon Hul. the Same ~
that from the flower from tho noun.
tain on the unehAfted islr.
He had iost consciousness IN the
house and awakened on tho island.
Ills senses had reeied when he smsil.
ed that flower on the Island and Toba
had carried him away 10 her cave.
Now
Fright seized him here. Tho az.
mosphsro Of the room was heavy
with that odor. He looked about.
Tho doors and windows were closed.
on the table was vase Of flowers.
among them
He saw II now. a great red flow.
or, the flower Of the mountain.
How had 1, como therc7 Clark ran
% the window and flung IL open.
Then he leaned far out OF the window
for air
The roar OF the city came 10 him
family from below. Chinatown. the
business district. the waterfront, the
river he saw rs thru n haze.
Gradually his brain cleared. lie
shook the cobwcbs from his mind.
His vision was bright. But he ro.
MANNED IN the window until he was
certain he had recovered his strength.
He decided 10 go 10 Marian. to sum
mon the servants and find out how
the flower had come there.
But no. He wouldn't go-now.
Something was holding him. II
grnsped his neck. Two hands from
behind. They closed about his throat.
They frightened. frightened until no
could no, breathe and his brain spun
dizzlly.
Clark fought weakly and finally the
fingers relaxed their grip on his
throat He tried TO turn quickly.
Behind him fled n shadow. dark.
tangible something he barely made
out in his half blinded vision as a hui.
man form. And then the door open.
ed and closed with a bang and he
stood. reeilng drunkenly, staring
stupidity about the room.
His first thought was OF Marian.
with fear in his heart he CROPPED his
way bllndly 70 her apartment.
| CONTINUED Tomorrow