Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-02-11
by special Arrangement with the
Chicago Tribune Syndicate
IN THREE PARTS-PART THREE
THE STORY SO FAR

THE STORY so FAR
Patricia Randall. raised In a small
southern town, knew nothing OF the out
side world when by the death of her
mother she was suddenly left on her
own resources. Seeking work In New
York seemed like a thrilling adventure
but when she landed in a boa rding house
which proved to be the deD Of crooks
she was at a loss what to do. One night
when Mrs. Carson and her brother were
planning on robbing an old bachelor who
was reported dying; Carson to act as
doctor, Patricia happened to over the
conversation downstairs. Slipping down
the stairs she was caught listening, and
Carson threatened her. but when she
begged to be taken along saving she
might be OF some help. he consented to
take her along as nurse. 1t turned out
to be a stormy night. After driving aways
Patricia pretended she had lost the suit
case. AS Carson stopped the car and with
a flash light went in search Of the suit
case, Patricia slipped into the drivers
seat and going for quite a distance she
finally stopped the car and left 1t by the
roadside. She ran as far as she was able
and finally took refuge In what happened
to be a deserted. haunted house.
And, now, the story
A face was rramed in the Windows
mans face. Like some bodyless mask II
stood out for a moment against the black
bdChSiouHu. HUH
"Your h~ands-throw them up ~ said the
man with a face like a scar, hurting the
words into the silent room.
The professor, who had always wanted
to be a soldier of fortune, laughed. Before
he laughed he sprang.
The man with the face like a scar cursed
as his pistol shot through the air. 1t slid
across the polished floor as the men Crap
pied.
Get itr' painted the professor to Pa.
tricia. "Quick!"
Carson, flinging the professor aside
made a dash toward the weapon. but the
girl, suddenly quickened into life, spranq
toward 1t. The touch Of the unfamiliar steel
steadied her. Just as Carson reached her
arm she raised 1t and flung the pistol far
out into the night.
Then she closed her eyes. . When
she opened them the two men were lurch-
ing around the room. She had never seen
men fighting like this, their bodies locked
.together-their faces sayage-fearless She
stood aghast. The unreality OF the scene
appalled, her. A chair went down. They
were up against the table now 1t scraped
across the floor. "O-take careI' Patricia
screamed and covered her eyes. The pro-
lesser staggered back against the wall.
He was no match for his burlier antago-
mist. Something fierce, primitive-a savage
maternal protectiveness, swept over Pa
tricia. The way was clear now for her own
escape, but she had no thought of flight,
no fear for herself.
The professor tore himself loose from
Carson's grip and sent a savage uppercut
with all his strength behind it, but the
other man only snarled and clinched again.
His great hands reached for the thinner
mans throat. Patricia saw the look of tri-
umph in his eyes. In that look she read
the worst that she had ever feared. :.
the professor painted. "Quick-while-I-
can-hold him"
Patricia was standing beside the fire
place. Suddenly she threw her hand out
against the wall. The professors face was
toward her, and she made a fierce indica-
tive gesture as she touched the panel.
Overcome with amazement, the professor
saw the wall slide back. revealing a yawn-
ing square of darkness beyound. Patricia
moved to one side.
With a sudden and terrific e~xertion OF
strength the professor pressed his enemy
back-had him almost at the door, when
Carson, warned by something tense in the
atmosphere, turned.
A savage look of comprehension swept
his face, and with unsupported swiftness he
braced himself and thrust the professor
back-at the same moment shot out his
arm toward Patricia.
The girl, taken aback, uttered a little
gasping cry. Then, as she felt the weight
of Carson's arm. she screamed and tried
to regain her balance-but 1t was too late
The professor turned in time to see the
flutter o fher gown as she fell.
Stunned for an instant, he gaZed into
the square, yawning darkness. Then, with
out a moments hesitation, he hurled him
self forward.
Carson was In the way. He was not pre-
pared for the impact of the professors
body and staggered. The two men swayed
for an instant on the brink of the opening
and then went down together.
The professor heard only Patricia's voice
'"The doori" she screamed. Hold
it! Don't-let it-close! p
The men staggered to their feet ano
flung themselves forward.
The panel had closed. They tore and
clawed at it with their fingers but without
avail.
Darknessl Heavy, obliterating darkness
and the Shiny smell of damp earth. Every
thing was yer ystill.
I'VE are locked in" Patricia said in O
strange little voice. I'VE are locked
The men began banging Mt the wood. al
isn't any USE" whispered the girl, still IN
that strange, lived voice. N one will hear
your Suddenly she remembered her flash
Light" she sobbed. The flashlight wav
cred In her hand. Earth everywhere-damp
reeking earth. -.
sor's voice at her shoulder. IF it's an un'
derground passage it must lead somewhere
Throw your light behind you! See-there Is
an opening!'
Patricia gave an inartieulate cry of JOY
and stumbled toward It. She felt suffocatec
by the darkness. The long, brocaded gowr
impeded her-why had she ever put 1t on
Her satin slippers sunk In soft, mirey clay
To get o~ut-anywhere out of this breathles'
darkness-to feel pure air, see the SKY.
The ceiling was getting W now. Pen
dulous strands of weedy stuff hung from
Ii and touched her face like bats wings.
Suddenly she came up against an OBJ
struction and stopped stock still. The pro
fessor was close behind her. What Is It'll
he painted. !,
az WALL" whispered Patricia, and leaned
| almost fainting, against 1t. Z.
The professor took her flashlight. Don
give In. Here's another door, he said,
quick excitement in his tone. land a lighter
PATENT ATTORNEY