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Show THE SAUNA lhe MARDI GRAS MYSTERY by IiBedfordJone Illustrations btj Irwin MijeitJ Copyright by Doubleday , Page and Company MIDNIGHT lard approached them, chuckling to himself and looking hugely relieved. Ila, Lucid! I guessed you beneath the Columbine daintiness! Have you examined your favor yet? Remembering, the girl caught at her corsage. Cries of delight were arising on all shies as the favors were revealed most handsome favors, even for Mardi Gras! From the heart of the rosebuds In her hand Lucie re- MASQUER1" SYNOPSIS During the height of the New Orleans carnival season Jachin Fell, wealthy though somewhat mysterious citizen, and Dr. Ansley, are discussing a series of robberies by an individual known as the Midnight Masquer, who. In- variably attned as an aviator, has long defied the police. Joseph .Man lard, wealthy banker, Is giving a ball that night, at which the Masquer has threatened to appear and rob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their way to the affair, meet a girl dressed as Columbtne, seemingly known to Fell, but masked, who them to the ball. accompanies Lucie Ledanois, recently the ward of her uncle, Joseph Maillard, is the Columbine. At the ball, Bob Maillard, son of the banker, again proposes to her and is refused. He offers to buy some of her property. A Franciscan monk interests her. moved a brooch of old filigree work set with a group of pearls. She glanced about for Jachin Fell, but be had vanished with Maillard. A voice rose at her elbow; Mademoiselle, you are not less lucky than beautiful ! Ieurls to the of men before him with Its threiueo Ing mouth. "Not a sound. If you please," he warned, his voice thin and nnsal obI trust that none viously disguised. of you gentlemen is armed, because I uni very quick on the trigger. A very pleasant surprise, Maillard? M j Youd givttn me up, eh? For an Instant no one spoke. Then Maillard moved slightly, moved his hand toward a button set In the wall near' the safe. The voice of the bandit leaped out at him like thin steel; "Quiet, you fool ! If you touch that button Maillard stiffened, and gripped the table edge with his shaking hand. The bandit bowed slightly, and the gathering In a tone of diy raillery : "The rights of property are to mo far more sacred than human life; there I agree with the law. So, gentlemen kindly empty your pockets on Ills voice became crisp. the table. The Jeweled scarfpins which you received as favors this evening may be added to the collection ; otherwise, I shall not touch your private possessions. No watches, thank you. Mall-larkindly begin ! I believe that you carry a wallet? If you please." The bunker could not hut obey. Ills hands trembling with fear and rage, he took from his pocket a wallet, and emptied a sheaf of bills upon the One after another, the other table. When it men followed his example. came his turn, Jachin Fell drew a s'.ngle hill from Ills pocket, and laid It dow n. You put some faith In that warnThe bandit laughed. ing, Mr. Fell? Oh, la, la! she mocked him. Dons be saoiki IPoueiM Dont think because you can get a big can of. Baking Powder for little money that you are saving anything. "So, the Girl Smiled a Little, "Yeu Would Betray Your Businese Friends in Order to Make a Bit of Money Me?" fr Hoes any one else know that you are interested In my affairs? The pal gray eyes of the little gray Win looked very Innocent and wonder- Certainly not, my denr! Why? Then she broke into o lough. "Well, It Is midnight and the Masquer has not 1 ni almost worry. i. The light? flickered off for a . then on agnln. The signal for unmasking! Th dnnclng ceased. From the whole room arose a be be! of voices cries merry f surprise, exclamations, laughter. Columbine removed her mask. An Instant later Joseph Mall- - Ill tell you tomorrow. mo-me- III. CHAPTER t The Bandit Joseph Malllards library was on the ground floor of the house; It was a sedate and stately room, and was invariably shut off to Itself. Not even tonight, of all nights, was It thrown open with the remainder of the house. Here Maillard summoned half a dozen of his particular cronies and friends, after the stroke of midnight had assured him that there was no danger to be expected from the bandit. His son was not among the number. The half dozen were nearly all elderly men, and, with the exception of Jachin Fell, all were men of prominent affairs. About the table grouped Maillard and his guests. Maillard, standing before a small wall safe that flanked the open hearth, lifted his siher goblet, nsteam with beads. The moment for which he had been waiting was here; he launched his little thunderbolt wlih an air of satisfied. Importance. My frieuds, I have a confession to make! he announced. Today I received a note from the Midnight Masquer stating that he would he with us his evening, presumably at the hour of midnight, his usual time. These words brought an instant sin men w;ere The lence. ense, watchful, astonished. But Mail-lar- d swung up his silver cup and laughed gaily. I took full precautions, gentlemen. The hour of danger Is past, and the notorious bandit has not arrived or, IT he has arrived, he Is now In the hands of the law. So up with your cups, my friends a lifelong health to Mardi Gras, and damnation to prohibition and the Midnight Masquer! From everyone broke a swift assent to the toast, a murmur of relieved tension. The silver goblets were lifted, touched In a musical clinking of edgps, and the aromatic breath of Juleps 'filled the library as the drinkers. In true southern fashion, hurled noses tn the fragrant mint. Then, as the cups were lowered, from the recess of the curtained windows at one end of the room came a quiet voice: "I thank yov gentlemen ! Rut I must remind yen. Maillard, that there was not a time linn set In the note. With a slmnlfanecn, gasp everyone turned. Maillard stnggered; his face went livid. Every eye was fastened upon that amazing figure now advanc-tn- g from the shadows of the recess. It was the figure of an aviator, clad In leather from top to toe, the goggles end helmet shield completely masking his head and features from recognition. In his hand he held an automatic pistol, which covered the group ) t . Tlseres t Save sa aae Way Batse-EDa- s I y S i ' n ) V The Economy . PQD REDEEK t it con- You use less because tains more than the ordinary leavening strength. BEST BY TEST The World's Greatest Bakins Powder CHICAGO AGAIN CLAIMS M. le prince Is seeing America, n'est ce pas? He has come to America to find a rich wife, Is it not? Oramonts face lost its smile, and suddenly became almost harsh. I shall call upon you at four tomorrow, Lucie, he said, abruptly, and turned. Nor did he pause to get her rejly. An Instant afterward Lucie was surrounded by a merry group of friends, and she saw no more of Henry Grnmont. About five minutes later those in the ballroom distinctly heard, through the open windows, the heavy pulsations of an alrplune motor. half-doze- ing. UTAH ! night. She turned fron him and was gone, dancing through the great rooms like a true Columbine. Midnight neared, and brought a concern to many; the Midnight Masquer had gained his name by Invariably appearing a moment or two before the stroke of twelve. Jachin Fell, who divided his time between enjoying the smoking room and wandering about among the masquers, perceived that. Joseph Maillard was watching the time with anxiety. A large man, stern and a bit scornful of look, Maillard was Imposing rather than handsome. He appeared the typical banker, efficient, devoid of all sentiment, Anmsed by the man's evident uneasiness, Jachin Fell kept him In view while the moments One might have thought dragged. that the little gray man was studying the financier as an entomologist studies a butterfly on a ptn. Shortly before twelve Columbine pirouetted up to Fell and accepted the arm he offered her. They were for the moment alone. In a corner of the ballroom. I must see you tomorrow, please, she breathed. May I call? Gladly, he assented. Its Sunday, you know If you will; at three. Something has happened, but I cannot speak of It you--th- V It costs only a fraction of a cent for each baking. pearl She turned to see the Franciscan no longer masked, but now gazing at her from a frank, laughing countenance, still partially veiled by the brown cowl that was drawn up close CHAPTER II Continued. about his head. 3 Henry Grnmont! she exclaimed. So, the girl smiled a little, you Oh, I half suspected that it was you would betray your business friends in order to make a bit of money for But you were not sure? he tne? chuckled. Youre not offended with Maillard stared at her. Well, If me, Lucie? you put it that way, yes! Id do more I should be. She tossed her head. than that for You were iinpertiuent, M. le prince! Thank you, she Interrupted, her lie made a distasteful gesture. I dont think Id trust voice cold. of that, Lucie! You know I None your sagacity very far, Robert. Good- dont like it here. IN Dont, Waa the Cool Threat, Ill Shoot You Through the Ab- If You domen. Do you think that you will know tne again? I hardly believe so, sir, answered Your Fell in his apologetic fashion. disguise is really excellent. The bandit's voice Thank you. held a thin mockery. Coming from you, sir, that compliment Is most welcome." . "What the devil does the fellow mean? exploded Judge Forester. "Then you are not aware that Mr. Fell Is a man of large affairs? The bandits white teeth flashed In a smile. "He Is a modest man, this attorney ! And a dangerous man also, I ussure you. But come, Mr. Fell, Ill not betray you." Jachin Fell obviously did not appreciate the pleasantry. Ills shy and wondering features assumed a set and hardened look. "Whoever you are,"- he responded, a subtle click of anger In his tone, "you shall be punished for this! For what, Mr. Fell? For knowing too much of your private affdrs? The bandit laughed. Fear not I am only an amateur at this game, fortunately! So do yonr worst, and my blessing upon you! Now, gentlemen, kindly withdraw a few paces. All but you, Maillard ; I'm not through with you yet. The automatic plated gestured ; under Its menace everyone obeyed the command, for the calm assurance of he bandit made It seem extremely likely that lie would ue the weapon without compunction. The men withdrew toward the far end of the room, where a word from the aviator halted Muillnrd remained standing them. where he was. The Masquer advanced to the table and gathered the heap of money and scarfpins Into the leathern pocket of his coat. During the process Ills gnze did not waver from the group of men, nor did the threat of his weainm lift from the banker before him. Now, Maillard," he quietly ordered, "you will have the kindness to turn around and open the wall safe behind von. And dont touch the button. Maillard started. That safe! Why why n you. I'll do nothing of the sort!" If you don't, was the cool threat, Ill shoot you through the abdomen A man fears a bullet there worse that It may kill you, and It may death. not; really, I care very little. You , d-- you flnnnrler!" Scorn leaped Into the quiet voice, acorn that lashed and Mt deep. LEAD CASE OF FORCIBLE ENTRY HEALING ART OF OLD CHINESE Re- Abundant Proof That They Were Familiar With Anesthesia Many Thousands of Years Ago. This Time It Is for the Meanest Man, and He Surely Has Some Qualifications! Combination of Circumstances sponsible for Truly Embarrassing Situation. meanest man bus been Another found. He was discovered In a northHe had rebound elevated express. mained seated although a woman stood swaying on a sirup In front of him. The train was standing at the Fullerton avenue station when he Jumped to his feet, apparently realizing suddenly that his destination had been reached. He started for the door. When the man quit his seat It was, logically, taken by the woman. Not for long, however, did she hold It. A second later he was back obviously having spotted the station name through the open door. Iardon me, he suld, that wasnt A short time ago my husband and I attended the funeral of a friend whose home was in the suburbs. We left In plenty of time, hut on account of the distance and much transferring we found to our dismay that we were going to he late. After frequent delay we arrived at our station. There had been a heavy snowstorm the day before, and where the walks had been cleaned it was slip- The artificial induction of painlessness by narcotic draughts was traditionally known In ancient times, writes Dr. Charles Ballunce in the London Lancet. The Chinese were acquainted with thousands of general anesthesia years ago. It Is related of the Surgeon Ilontlie in the Third century A. D. that lie performed amputation, trephining and other major operations by its aid. Doctor Browne relates two cases of anesthesia taken from a Persian manuscript. The first story concerns Aristotle and an Indian surgeon named Snrnnb. tAn earwig had entered the patient's ear and attached itself to the brain. Aristotle gave the patient the drug so tlmt he became unconscious while Samub trephined the skull. This was excellent treatment. It Is now well known that living foreign bodies may produce otitis and meningitis. In the second case the operation was Caesarian section. pery, making it difficult to husten. Wlien we reached the house, In hurrying up the outside stairs I slipped, lost my balance, and fell headlong. All might have been well had not the undertaker chosen Just that moment t ) open the door, M.v husband was my station. And lie allowed the woman to rise making a frantic grab to catch me, and give him the seat. Chicago Jour- but I was not to he stopped, and landnal. ed in the room on all fours, to find the company all facing the door and the minister preaching the funeral sermon. Boston Child. Evidently "So this is the baby, eh? said the Exchange. Bless his little genial bachelor. The Trouble. Watch me tickle-uribs." Fear! has got a new Hootin NanPerfectly All Right. The genial one proceeded to play ny car, related lleloise of the Rapid Doctor, said the business man, I She takes a differ- will double your fee If you will pre-ragtime on the unoffending infants b ire restaurant. scribe for my wife a summer at the ribs, foolishly Imagining the child was ent fella out riding every night. Shed better look out or she'll get sen shore. enjoying it. , commented All right; Ill do it at once. The baby stood It for Into trouble that way, some time and then plaintively cried Clnudine of the same establishment. Tine! What had you intended to out: She's already done so. Her arm Is prescribe for her? Mother, will you kindly inform A summer at the seashore. me whether the deplorable condition of so lame from hugging the fellas that this person Is due to permanent de- she can't hardly steer the car, and last One who can see nothing but bit mentia or spasmodic and intermittent night she ran all over a crossing cop's own Interest, misses it. cousin." 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