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Show . - c -- THE SPANISH FORK PRESS, t SPANISH FORK, UTAH - - , . As she entered, quickly she selected They looked about carefully. There one of the trunks whose contents were waa no one on .that side of the hotel more smart than the rest, and laid the Just at the moment.. gowns out moBt fetchingly about the .Ready, responded one, Quick! room. . v Together Del Mar and Madame In the office of the hotel a few mo- Larenz passed Elaine, ineffectually ments later the naturalist entered. He struggling, out of the window. The looked about curiously, then went over men seized her and placed her In the to the desk and glanced over the reg- bottom of the car, which was covered. ister. At the name Madame Larenz, Then they shot sway, taking a back Paris, Room 22," he paused. road up the hill. ' s For some seconds he stood thinking. t ' Then he deliberately walked over to a Hurriedly the naturalist went leather chair and took a prominent through the lobby in the direction seat near by in the lobby. He had dis- Elaine had gone, and a moment later carded hla net, but still had the case, reached the corridor above. which now he had shoved Into his Down it, he could hear someone pocket. From a table hs picked up a coming out of room 22. lie slid into w , ,f an angle and hid. newspaper. It was not long before Del 'Mar ' It was Del Mar and the woman he pulled up before the hotel and entered had seen at the bungalow. ' ' They In his usual swagger manner He passed by without discovering him, had returned to the bungalow, read nor could he make out anything that the nfcte, and h"rrled over to the St. they said. What mischief was afoot? ' Germain. Where was Elaine? He crossed the lobby, back to the He ran to the door and tried it. It office. Aa he did so the naturalist had was locked. Quickly he took from his his face hidden deeply In the open pocket a skeleton key and unlocked But no sooner bad Del It. There was Elaine's hat and dress newspaper. Mar passed than the newspaper fell lying In a heap on the bed. But she unappreciated, and he gazed after him, was not there. He was now thoras he left the lobby by the back way. oughly alarmed. ; It was only a few minutes after she She could not have passed him In bad completed arranging her small the hall.' Therefore she must have stock so that It looked quite impres- gone or been taken out through the sive, . that Madame Larenz heard it window. That would never have been knock at the door and recognized Del voluntary, ' especially leaving her Mars secret code. She opened the things there. , door and he strode In. The window was still open. He n 1 got your note, he said, briefly, ran to it. One glance out was enough. Sure homing directly to business and tell- ,Ilq. leaped to the ground. ing her Just what he wanted done. enough there were automobile tracks Let me see," he concluded, glancing In the dust a his watch. "Del Mar's car! he muttered to It Is after three now. She ought to be here any minute. himBelf, studying them. He fairly ran around the side of the Outside, Elaine drove up to the rather garish entrance of the St. Ger- hotel. There he came suddenly upon main, and one of the boys in uni- Elaine's car standing alone, and recform ran forward to open the door ognized it. and take charge of the car. She, too, There was no time for delay. He crossed the lobby without seeing the Jumped Into It and let the swift little old naturalist, though nothing escaped racer out as he turned and gathered him. momentum to shoot up the hill on As she passed he started to rise and high speed. cross toward her, then appeared to Meanwhile, I had been Jogging along change his mind. through the country, lonely and disElaine went on out through the hack consolate. I don't know how It hapof the lobby, directed by a boy, and pened, but I suppose It waB by some mounted a flight of stairs in prefer- subconscious desire. At any rate, I ence to taking the lift to the second, found myself at the road that came or (qort of mezzanine floor. Down out across one leading to the St. along the corridor she went, hunting Germain, and it occurred to me that i , ; , v v .?. 8YN0F8I3. Th? morning wftsr'the finding of Wu disappeariFang' body nt Kennedy submarine appear on the bay. ance, Marcus Pel Mar plungeHI overboard from mission I to it end swim ashore. '.obtain Information of Kennedy and relost At the Podge torpedo. cover the the canlldence of home he soon winI warned by a little Elaine. Later she careful of Der Mar Just In old man 110 time to prevent Del Mar from carrying out his plans. Pel Mar at feat succeeds in getting the torpedo, only ,to have It destroyed by the UHle old man, .Jameson men while on Is captured byWet Mar sehi way to .Button letter to the U. cret service. Elan .rescues him. Lieutenant Woodward and hi friend. Profea-so- r Arnold, attend a party given at the podge home, where unknowingly, pel Mar drop a note which give Elaine a a .clue. ting In her attempt to Prevent hi hydro-aeroplan- e, . safe-keepin- g. the car. May I go with you?" I pleaded. No, Walter," she replied, laughing THE LURE OF THE MODISTE. merrily. You cant go. I want to try them on. Properly squelched, I retreated. Early one morning; a very handsome woman of the adventuress type ar- Elaine drove away, and a moment rived with several trunks at the big later I mounted and cantered off leissummer hotel Just outside the town, urely. the St. Germain. Near Del Mars bungalow might Among the many fashionable people at the watering place, however, she have been seen again the mysterious attracted no great attention, and In the naturalist, walking along the road with forenoon she quietly went In her mo- a butterfly net In hlB hand, and what tor for a ride. appeared to be a leather specimen It was Madame Larenz, one of Del case, perhaps six Inches long, under Mars secret agents, who, up to this his other arm. ' As Madame Larenz whizzed time, had been engaged in spying on past in her car, he looked up keenly, in spite wealthy and impressionable American THIRTY-THIR- f cut- the Atlantic cable she Is discovered and made a1 prisoner on the boat, which wrecked by Woodward and afterwards Arnold. Jameson, In a save Elaine from drowning. Elaine, disguised as a man, discovert the entrance .of Pel Mars wireless cave at almost the same time Arnold, by a radio detective, the wireless station. has discovered Elaines discovery nearly fatal; he Is saved by Jameson, both aid Arnold and Woodward In destroying the wireless station, but Pel Mar escapes. In a deserted hotel In the woods, he, directs the making of a number of gas booths. Elaine discovers Pel Mars man at work, is capWhen the hotel Is tured, but escapes. later attacked the men retreat to the woods, where they explode the gas bombs, nearly causing the death of lieutenant Woodward .and hla attacking party. Elaine receives a package which contains a new searchlight gun from an unknown friend. Jameson and Elaine prove the accuracy of the new weapon. While motordiscovers a ing with Jameson, Elain bomb placed there by one of Pel Mars men for They take It to Lieutenant Woodward who sends them to Professor Arnold's yacht. They are attacked by Pel Mar and hla men. The Searchlight gun saves Elaine and Jameson who reach the yacht safely. Pel Mar appears on the bay with a submarine end destroys the yacht with a torpedo, only to And that Professor Arnold and his .party have escaped. was destined never to be finished. More weighty matters were under discussion. I wondered what they were talking about and, suppressing a yawn, I walked toward them.. As I approached I heard scattered remarks about styles and dress fabrics, Elaine had completely forgotten ten-nl- s and me. She took a couple of steps sway from the court with the woman as I came up. Arent you going to play?" I asked. I know youll excuse me, Walter. amlled Elaine. My frocks are all so frightfully out of date. And here's a chance to get new ones, very reasonably, too. They walked oft, and I could not help scowling at the visitor. On toward the house Elaine and Madame Larenz proceeded, and around It to the front porch, where Aunt Josephine was standing. "Just think, auntie cried Elaine, real Paris gowns down here without the trouble of going to the city and cheaply, too. Aunt Josephine was only mildly Interested, but that did not seem to worry Madame Larenz. I shall be glad to see you at three. Miss Dodge," she said, as she got into her car again and drove off. When I came down I found Xunt Josephine still on the veranda. In addition to my horse, which I bad telephoned for, Elaines little runabout had been driven to the door. While I was talking to Aunt Josephine, Elaine came downstairs and walked over to EPISODE D of his seeming and manufacturers. Her airing brought her finally to huge smoked glasses. He watched the bungalow of Del Mar, and there her closely, noting the' number of the she was admitted In a manner that car, then turned and folloWed it Madam Larenz drew up, a second showed that Del Mar trusted her time, before Del Mar's. As she got out . highly. "New, he Instructed, after a few and entered, the naturalist, having minutes chat, I want you to get ac- quickened his pace, came up and quainted with Miss Dodge. Shes quite watched her go in. Then, after taking human. Pretty gowns appeal to her. In the situation for a moment, be made Get her to the St. Germain. Then his way around the side of the bungalow, Ill tell you what to do. la Mr. Del Mar at home? Inquired A few minutes later the woman left In her car, so rapidly driven that no Madam Larenz, as the valet ushered her Into the library. one would recognize her. No. madam, he returned. Mr. Del It was early in the afternoon that Aunt Josephine was sitting on the Mar is out. But he left word that if veranda when an automobile drove up you came before he got back you were and a very stylishly gowned and bon- to leave word." The woman sat down at the desk neted woman stepped out Good afternoon, she greeted Aunt and wrote hastily. When she had finJosephine ingratiatingly, as she ap- ished the short note she read it over I am Madame and folded It up. proached the house. Tell Mr. Del Mar I've left a note Lorens of New York and Paris. Perhaps you have heard of my shops on here on hla desk, she said to the valet. Fifth avenue and the Rue de la Paix. A moment later she left the library, Aunt Josephine had heard the name, though she did not know that this followed by the valet, who accomwoman had assumed It without being panied her to her car, and assisted her in any way connected with the places In. The hotel, she directed to her he mentioned. Im establishing a new sort of sum- driver, as he started off, while the mer service at the better resorts, the valet returned to the bungalow. woman explained. Outside, the naturalist had come You see, my people find It annoying to go Into the city through the shrubbery and had been for gowns. So I am bringing the lat- looking In at the library window, est Paris models out to them. Is Miss watching every move of kadame Larenz as she wrote.'. As 'she went out Dodge at home? I think she Is playing tennis, re- he paused Just a second to look about. Then he drew a long knife from bis turned Aunt Josephine. Oh, yes, I see her, thank you, the pocket, forced the wlndo Wcatch, and woman murmured, moving toward the quickly climbed Into the ropra. tennis court back of the house. Directly to the desk he went and Elaine and I had agreed to play a hurriedly ran over the. papers to it couple of gcmes, and were tossing There was the note. He picked it up and read It eagerly. neks for position. My apartment St Germain 3 p. Very well, laughed Elaine, as she won the toss, take the other court. m. larenz. For a moment he seemed to conIt was a cool day, and I felt in good spirits. Just to see whether I sider what to do. Then hs replaced could do it still, I Jumped over the the note. Suddenly he heard the . sound of footsteps. It was the valet tet Our game had scarcely started when returning., Quickly the naturalist ran were interrupted by the approach to the window and Jumped out. of a stunning looking woman. A moment later the valet entered "Miss Dodge? she greeted. "Will the library again. Thats strange, you ezeuse me a moment? he exclaimed, under his breath; I Elaine paused In serving the hall dont recall opening that window over nd the womtn handed her a card there today. from her defeat gold mesh bag. It He looked puzzled. But as no ohe . read limply; was about he went over and shut It. MMli LARENZ Some distance down the road the naturalist quietly emerged in safety PARIS from the bushes. With scarcely a Gowna.' Elaine looked at the card a moment moments hesitation, his mind, thorhlln the woman repeated what ahe oughly made up to his course, hq hur' lad already told Aunt Josephine. ried along the road. You have them the St. at Germain, then? Meanwhile, here, Madame Larens entered and passed queried Elaine, Interested. "Yes, I havo some very ezcluslve through the rotunds of the hotel, folmodels ' which I am showing at my lowed by many admiring glances of ulta in the St. Germain." ' i the men. "Oh, how lovely! exclaimed Elaine. lTp In her room stood several large "1 must aee. them. From them she had trunks, open. They talked a few minutes, while I taken a number of gowns which wero faltid patiently for Elalns to start scattered about or bung up for ' ne game agejn. The game, however. " ' , 4-'- ' " - . , ' w , of them. From his pocket he took the leather case and opened It There was a peculiar arrangement like some of the collapsible arms on which telephone Instruments are often fastened to a desk or wall, capable of being collapsed into small space or of being extended for some distance. On the thing was arranged a system of mirrors, which the naturalist adjusted. It was a pocket periscope. He thrust the thing over the edge of the roof and down, and looked through It. Below, he could see into the room from which came the pecu' liar sounds. Hs looked anxiously. There he could see Elaine endeavoring still to loosen the cords and unable to do so. Only for a moment he looked. Then he folded up the pocket periscope in the case and shoved it back into hla pocket. Quickly he crossed the roof again . and slid down the At the door stood three ot Del Mara men waiting for Del Mar who had told them he would follow Immediately. The naturalist had by this time reached the ground and was going along carefully back to the house. He drew his revolver and, pointing it down, fired. Then he dodged back of an extension and disappeared for the - rain-pipe- moment. Instantly the three men sprang up and ran toward the spot where it seemed the shot bad been fired. There wus no one about the side of the house. But the wind had carried the smoke Into some bushes beside the grove, and they crashed Into the bushes, beating about. At the same time, the naturalist, having first waited until be saw which way the men were going, dashed about the house in the opposite direction. Then he slipped, unopposed and unobserved, in through the open front door, up the stairs and along to the room Into which he had Just been looking. He unlocked the door and entered. Elaine was still struggling with the cords when she caught sight of the stranger. Not a word! he cautioned under his breath. She was Indeed too frightened to cry out. Quickly he loosened her, still holding hla finger to his lips to enjoin silence. Follow me! he whispered. She obeyed mechanically, and then went out Into the halL On downstairs went the naturalist, Elaine still keeping close after him. He looked out through the front door, then drew back. Quickly he went through the lower ball until he came to the back door In the kitchen, Elaine following. He unbolted the door and opened it. Run, he said, simply, pointing out of the door. Theyre coming back the other way. Ill hold them. She needed no further urging, but darted from the house as he closed the door after her. s 1 , key was unavailing to slide the bolt. Seconds were precious. Quickly he went to the corner ot the house. There was a water pipe. He began to climb it, risking Ha precarious support On the roof at last, the naturalist crawled along, looking for some way ot getting Into the house. But he could not seem to find any. Carefully he crawled to the edge of the roof and looked over. Below he could hear sounds, but could make nothing r - 7TV. ' Elaine Jumped In and Seized the Paddle. for number twenty-twAt last she found it at the end and knocked. Del Mar and Madame Larenz were still talking In low tones when they heard a light tap on the door. There she Is taow, whispered Larenz. All right; let her In, answered Del I'll Mar, leaping quietly to a closet. hide here until I get the signal. Do Just as I told you. Outside, at the same time, according to his carefully concocted plans, Del Mar's carJmd- - driven up and stopped close to the side of the hotel, which was on a slight hill that brought the atrqpt level here not so far below the second story windows. Three of his most trusted men were In o. the car. , Madame Larenz opened the door. Oh, I'm so glad you came, she rattled on to Elaine. You see, I've got to get started. Not a customer yet But if youll only take a few gowns, other people will come 1 1 me. Ill let you have them cheaply, too. Just look at this one. She held up one filmy, creamy creation that looked like a delicate flower. Id like to try It on, cried Elaine, fingering It rapturously. By all means! agreed madams. We are alone. Do ao. With deft fingers, Larenz helped her taka off her own very pretty dress. As Elaine slipped the soft gown over head and arms enher head, .with folds, gaged In Us multitudinous Madame Larenz, a powerful woman, seized her. Elaine was effectually gagged and bound In the gown Itself. Instantly Del Mar flung himself from the closet disguising hla voles. Together they wrapped the dress about Elaine even more tightly to prevent her screaming. Madame Larenz seized a blanket and threw that over Elaine's head also, while Del Mar ran to the window. There were his men In the car, waiting below. Are you ready? he called softly to them. . hr Elaine might) by this time have purchased enough frocks to clothe her for a year. At any rate I quickened my pace in the hope of seeing her. Suddenly my horse shied, and a familiar little car flashed past me. But the driver was not familiar. It was Elaines roadster. In it was a stranger a man who looked like a as nearly as I can describe him. Was he running off with her car while she was waiting Inside the hotel? bugol-ogls- t, I galloped after him. Del Mars automobile, with Elaine bound and gagged in It. drove rapidly by back and unfrequented ways into the country until at last it pulled up before an empty two-storhouse In a sort of grove of trees. The men leaped out, lifted Elaine, and carried her bodily into the house, taking her upstairs and into an upper room. She had fainted when they laid her down and loosened the dress from about her face so that she could breathe. There they left her, on the floor, her bands and feet bound, and went out. How long she lay there she never knew; but at last the air revived her and she regained consciousness and sat up. Her muscles were sore and her head ached. Dut she set her teeth and began struggling with the cords that bound her, managing at last to pull the dress over herself at least In Elaines car the naturalist drove slowly at times, following the track of the automobile ahead. At last however, he came to a place where he saw that the tracks went up a lonely road. To approach In a car was to warn whoever was there, lie ran the car up alongside the road In the bushes and Jumped out, leaving it and following the tracks up ths side roadway. It was Jujt at this point that Del Mar came riding along the main road on horseback. He pulled up suddenly as he saw a car run in alongside the road. That's Elaines runabout, he muttered, as he dismounted and tied his How came it here? horse. He approached the car, much worried by Its unaccountable presence there Instead of before the St. Germain. Then be drew bis gun and hurried up the side road. He beard a shot and quickened hla pace. In the woods unexpectedly ho came upon his three men still beating about, searching with drawn revolvers for the person who had fired the shot he demanded, sharply, "Well? whats all thla? Someone fired plained, somewhat It waa a trick, swered testily. a shot, they excrestfallen. you fools, be anGet back to your prisoner. Without a word they turned and hurried toward the house, Del Mar You two go in, he orfollowing. dered the foremost Til go around the house with Patrick. As Del Mar and the other man ran around the corner they could Just catch a fleeting glimpse of someone disappearing Into the trees. It was Elaine. and exhausted. ' She eould scarcely make any headway at all In the fierce eddies. But at least, she thought hurriedly, she was getting farther and farther away from them down stream. ? Up above, Del Mar and bis man came to the edge ot the water. There they stood for a moment looking dowe. There sb Is," pointed the man , i Del Mar raised his revolver and ' fired. Suddenly a bullet struck. Elalwss paddle and broke it, Clutching bs useless splintered shaft, she was now at the mercy of the current, wept s along like a piece of driftwoo ; She looked about frantically, rthat was that roaring noise? I It was the waterfalls aheaijl , si ' In the meantime Del Mars other two men had entered the bunse and had run upstairs, knowing well his wrath If anything had happened. As they did so, the naturalist poked his bead cautiously out of the kitchen where he had been hiding, and saw them. Then he followed noiselessly, his revolver ready. Headlong they ran iv,to the room where they had left Elajne. She was gone! Before they could turn the naturalist locked the door, turned, and took the steps down, two t A time. Then he ran out of the front door and Into the woods at an angle to the direction taken by Elaine, turning and going down hill, where a rapid, swollen ' stream curved about through a As he reached ths stream be beard a shot above. He looked up. There was Elaine, swept down toward him. Below he knew the stream tumbled over a tall cataract into the gorge below. What could be do? ; A sudden crackling ot the twlge caused him to turn and catch light of me, just coming up. For, as best I could on horseback, I bad followed Elaine's car until at last I saw that It had been abandoned. Thoroughly alarmed, I rode on, past a deserted house, until suddenly I heard a shot and a scream. It seemed to come from below me. and I leaped off my horse, making for It as fast as I could, racing toward a stream whose roar I could hear. There on the bank I came upon a queer old codger, looking about wildly. Was he the automobile thief? I ran forward, ready to seize him. But as I did so he whirled about, and with a strength remarkable In one so old, seized my wrist before I could get his. "Look! he cried simply, pointing up the stream. I did. A girl in a canoe was coming down toward the falls, screaming, her paddle broken and useless. My heart leaped Into my mouth. It was Elaine? Come! he panted eagerly to me, I can save her. You must do Just as 1 ' say. He pointed to an overhanging rock near by and we ran to it By this time Elaine was almost upon us, each second getting nearer the veritable maelstrom above the falls. From the rock overhung also tree at the very edge of the water. ' There was nothing to do but obey him. Above, though we did not see them, Del Mar and bis man were gloating over the result of their work. But they were gloating too soon. We came to the rock and the tree. friend, Here, cried the 'Til get hold of the tree and then hold ' you. himself on his ; he threw Instantly stomach, hooking his leg about the tree trunk. I crawled out over the ledge of slippery rock to the very edge and looked over. It waa the only chance. The old naturalist seized my legs In hla bands. I slid down the rock, letting myself go. Literally, his presence ef mind had Invented what was really a life chain a human rope. On, came the canoe, Elaine la It a white as death, crying out and trying to stop or gutde It as, nearer and nearer though the smooth, worn walls ot the chasm, It whirled to the falls. With a grip of steel the naturalist held to the tree, which swayed and bent, while sIbo be held me, as If la a vise, head down.' On came Elaine directly at us. She stood up and halabced herself a dangerous feat In a canos at any time, but doubly so in those dark, swirling, treacherous waters. Crab my Steady! I encouraged. arms! As the canoe reached us she gave a little Jump and seized my forearms. Her hands slipped, but I grasped her own arms, and we held each other. ' The momentum of her body was great. For an instant I thought we were all going over. But the nitural-1s- t held bis grip and slowly brgau to pull himself and hs up the slippery rock. A second later the canoe crashed over the falls In a cloud of spray and pounding water. As we reached the bank above the rock I almost lifted Elaine and set bci down, trembling and gasping for breath. Before either of us knew It the queer old fellow had plunged Into the hushes and was gone without another word. Walter, she cried, call him back. I must tell him bow much I ows him my llfet But he had disappeared, absolutely. We shouted after him. It was ot no use. Well, what do you think of that? cried Klulne. He saved my life tbsa didn't wait even to be thanked. Who was he? We looked at each other a moment. But neither ot us spoke what aas la gorge. The man hurried forward, blazing away with his gun. Running, breathless, Elalns heard the shot behind her which Del Mar's man had fired In his eagerness. The bullet struck a tree near her with a She glanced back and saw ping! ths man. But she did not stop. Intend she redoubled her efforts, running zigzag in among the trees where they were thickest. Del Mar, a little bit behind his man where she could not recognize him, urged the man on, following carefully. On fled Elaine, her heart beating fast. Suddenly she stopped, and almost cried out In vexation. A stream blocked her retreat a stream swift and deep. She looked back, terrified. Her pursuers were coming ahead fast now In her direction. Wildly she gazed Stealthily the naturalist crept around. There waa a canoe on ths around, still hiding, until he was clos- bank. In an Instant she Jumped In, er to the house on the other side. untied It and seized ths paddle. Off she went, striking for the oppoAt last lie worked his way around to ths roar door, lie tried It. It site shore. But the current was rag- out hearts. was bcltol, and even the skeleton ing swiftly, and she was already tired TO new-foun- OIS d CONTINUED) |