Evening star., 1928-03-21
The Devils S MANTLE
A MYSTERY STORY.
By FRANK L. PACKARD.
l. cousHsAs BY Franz L ParkArd
A MYSTERY STOR'
By FRANK L. PACKARD.

/ toll he could before they finished him:
| but instead. because Of Peters advice.
| he had. apart from resort TO his fists.
| allowed his combative impulse to carry
! him no further.
What happened?" prompted Rand.
The little red-haired man got to
his feet now, and for the third time
blinked around the circle. None Of
these three men was friend of Peter,
and he would not have trusted one Of
them for a second with the knowledge
OF Peters escape and present wherea-
boutS--to say nothing of his Capt.
Josephus Mumm'S. own participation
in the affair. Nor was there any
valid reason why he should! It
wouldn't relieve Humphrey GarthS
feeling any. for instance, to know that
Peter was on board the marauding
brig With Marion-Peter, in Humphrey
Garths eyes was a murderer of the
most abandoned type, and even a de-
gree lower, II that were possible. than
the crew from the brig itself into
whose hands his daughter had fallen.
What happened" echoed Capt.
Josephus Munlm savsgely, We'll. I'll
tell you! l got Knocked pretty near
through the companionway entrance
when that fight was going on over
Miss Garth, and none of the swine
seemed to have noticed me. / thought
saw chance to ship below and get
revolver-and that's what did, The
little red-haired man paused, and
moistened his bruised lips.
And then?" Rand asked.
Blast 'em-they took IL away from
mel" snarled Capt. JoSephus Mumm
L didn't know they were watching.
That's ALL"
Humphrey Garth slumped suddenly
down in a chair.
What are We going TO dc?" he cried
out in hollow. shaken tones. My God,
what are we going to do? Marion! We
must do something"
The little group with one accord
glanced at the man-and each looked
quickly away again.
No one answered him.
Presently the door opened once more
Lahat Khan. as dapper and trim as
ever in his stewards uniform, stood in
the doorway. He was smiling softly.
as he bowed profoundly 10 the occu-
pants Of the cabin.
Rand took an abrupt step forward
''Ah-you!" he exclaimed grufiy. L
had an impression that everybody else
on board. except ourselves here, had
been made prisoners below decks some
where-you, however. appear to be still
functioning and, from that damned
smile or your face, quite at your ease.
what's the meaning of it!"
mfr. Rand" said Lahat Khan. Il
-"
Humphrey Garth lunged up from his
chair.
First of all. come in here and unite
these lashings on our wrists!" he
ordered sharply.
Lahat Khan shook his head.
Sir, regret so much!" he said
blandly. In little while perhaps. IL
Mr.. Garth and his friends are wise
they will be set free. Those are the
words of Tajal Ali, who is the chief of
those who have come aboard the Isis.
and who has come now 10 talk to you
See-he Is here!" He stepped aside
from the doorway. and tall figure,
swarthly of face. in white. well-fitting
European dress, came forward into the
cabin. Gentlemen" announced Lahat
Khan smoothly. as he closed the cabin |
door again and took his place beside /
the newcomer, This is Tajal Ali"
Humphrey Garth. tugging suddenly |
and furiously at his bonds. made a |
movement forward as he in |
SANITY recognized the man as the one |
who. q little while ago, out on deck |
there, had given orders TO have Marion
carried aboard the brig.
A revolver appeared in Tajal Ais |
hand.
Mr. Garth" he said sharply and In /.
fluent English. that sort OF thing will |
do you no good whatever. Your hands !
are tied in more ways than one. |
have only 10 raise my voice and my /,
men who are waiting outside that door |