Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-08

doctor thoughtfully emptied my pock'
cts Sit very still, Granger"
He spoke with brisk, cutting en-
phasis. Moving TO the other end OK
the cot and keeping one eye on Gran
ger, he opened the knife and with
the harp-pointed blade began to pick
at the lock that held the chain to his
ankle. The pistol lay close at his side,
ready to be picked up at moments
warning. In short time the lock
had yielded to the deft touch Of his
fingers, and his ankle was free before
Granger quite realized what he was
doing. A shout rose in the reporters
throat, but in an instant the Phan.
toms fingers were at his windpipe.
"Quietg' he warned. IT don't care
to be interrupted Just yet. Granger
1 don't like the toys I've been wearing
the last few days, and you have worn
mine just about long enough. We
are going to make a quick change
Strip
The reporter glared, but his lips
trembled and the shaking Of his limbs
indicated that he was in need OF his
favorite stimulant.
Hurry" urged the Phantom, maxi
ing a little flourish with the pistol.
"Bimble is likely to walk in on US
at any moment to see what is keep
ing you so long. VIII you strip vol
UNFAIRLY, or must I tap you on the
head and undress you? don't like to
be rough
The reporter seemed impressed by
the argument. With surly acquies-
cence he kicked of his shoes and
started removing his suit. The Phan-
tom, thin smile lowering about his
lips, followed the others example,
lropDipcr the f1iefn1 4vfthfvx ,.aoots
while the exchange was in progress.
In little while he was once more
CARRIED in the familiar gray which was
his favorite color.
This is betteri' he commented. With
an absent-minded air he picked up the
chain. For a moment or two his fin-
gers toyed with the lock; then, stoop-
ing quickly, he looped the end of the
chain around Changers leg. The re-
porter growled out curse as the lock
snapped shut.
Put your hands behind your' com.
manded the Phantom, again making
q menacing gesture with the pistol.
The reporter, his ashen face twitching,
giowered savagely as he obeyed, and
In a few moments the strings had
been removed from his shoes and
twisted tightly about his wrists.
FINALLY the Phantom tore a strip from
the tablecloth, fashioned it into q
gag and thrust it between the report.
cr's teeth.
I'm really very much Obliged To
you, Granger" he murmured drvIv
as he put the revolver and the knife
into his pockets.
IF you hadn't come to me with
that barefaced hoax, should still be
wearing a chain around my ankle
TOO bad l can't offer you a drink.
You seem to need one"
With elastic step he walked To the
door. There he pushed a button. and
the room went dark. There was a
glow in his cheeks and tingle in his
veins as he stepped out In the han.
closing the door behind him. Looking
up and down the silent corridor. he
saw a stairway at the farther end ana
FASTENED In that direction. At fhe
head of the stairs he all but collided
with DR.. Bimble.
Well, Granger?'A
The Phantom thanked his lucky
star that the lights In the han vera
dim. Under the circumstances, II was
the most natural thing in the world
for Bimble to suppose that he was
addressing the reporter. He knew
that Granger had been wearing the
clothes, and the latter was
u
wall
mo luck" announced the Phantom,
Changers manner OF
speech. II gave him exactly the line
Of talk you suggested, but he spotted
the trick right of. He wouldn't listen
10 me at ALL"
Even in the dusk the Phantom saw
! spiteful look creep into the doctors
lace.
Doesn't he still think you are on
MS sidey'
He seems to have his suspicious
answered the Phantom, carefully
his words. but he II keep.
ng them to himself. I tried my
larndest to himfiam the information
tut of him. but It was no use. He's
bout the smoothest article / ever
anne across
The doctor nodded CURLY as he
wung around and started to descend
he stairs. the Phantom following.
Continued in Tomorrow's Starr ~