OCR Text |
Show THE SALINA SUN, SAUNA. UTAH r A. H STORY A Novel From the Play FROM THE START Defying all effort to capture him, after a long series of murders and robberies, a aeper-croo- k known only aa Th Hat" has brought about a veritable reign of terror. The chief of police assigns his best operative Anderson, to get on the trail of The Bat With her niece, Pale Ogden, Miss Cornelia Van Oorder In Is living the country home of the late Courtlelgh Fleming, who until his recent death had been 'president of the Colon hank, wrecked because of the theft of a large sutn of currency. Miss Van Oorder receives a note warning her to vacate the place at once oil pain of death Pale returns from the city, where she had been to hire a gardener. The gardener arrives, giving his name as llrooks He admits he Is not a gardener, but needs work Miss Cornelia tells Doctor Wells of the threatening note.- They are interrupted by the smashing They of a window In the house The find another warning note. detective, Anderson, arrives, an-Is told of the situation, and nounces he will stay on watch Miss Van Oorder that night. tells Anderson she has an. Idea Courtlelgh Fleming robbed his own hank and concealed the money In the house, but the detective believes the banks cashier, Bailey, who Is missing, is he guilty one. Brooks (who Is really Bailey, the sought-fo- t cashier, and Pales fiance) tells the girl he knows there Is a hidden room In the house. Dale Richard Fleming, Court-lelgh- a nephew, asking him to Dnle tells Richard come over. Fleming of her knowledge of the hidden room. He gets rid of her while he seeks rnd finds blueprints of the house. By Mary WNU Bervtc The J ick Dailey, copyright, 192D, by Mary Roberts Rinehart nd Avery Uopwuod. Rnt.M Do scream? Dales bands dropped, powerless, at her sides. If only she hadn't told him too lute! she was helpless. She c uibl not call the detective without ruining Jack and yet. If Fleming escaped with the money bow could Jack ever prove his Innocence? Fleming watched her for tin instant, smiling. Then, seeing she made no move, be darted hastily toward tbe double doors of the alcove, flung them open, seemed about to dash up tbe alcove stairs. Tbe sight of him escaping with tbe only existing clew to tbe bidden room galvanized Dale Into action. She followed him, hurriedly snatching up Miss Cornelias revolver from ttie table as she did so. In a last gesture of desperation. "No! No! (live It to me! Dive It to me!" and she sprang after him, clutching tbe revolver, lie waited for her on tbe bottom step of the stairs, tbe slight smile still on Ills face. Hunting breaths in the darkness of tbe alcove a short, furious scuffle be bad wrested tbe revolver away from her, but in doing so bad unguarded the precious blueprint she snatched at It, desperately, tearing most of It away, leaving only a corner In bis band. lie swore tried to get It back she Jerked away. Then suddenly a bright shaft of CHAPTER VI Continued light split tbe darkness of tbe alcove 9 stairs like a sword a spot of brilI licit Fleming's lips sot In n thin liance centered on Flemings face like line. the glare of a flashlight focused from Just a moment, lie ,suld, putabove by an Invisible hnnd. For an ting the table between them with n Once more lie stole swift rnotcanent instant It revealed him his features a glance nt the scrap of paper In bis distorted with fury about to rush hand by tbe flickering light of tbe down tbe stairs again and attack tbe Dandle. Then be faced Dale boldly. trembling girl at their foot. A single shot rang out. For a secDo you suppose, If that nloney Is actually here, that I can simply turn ond tbe fury on Fleming's face seemed this over to you and let you give it to to change to a strange look of bewilHalley?" be said. Every man hns Ids derment and surprise. Then tbe shaft of light was extinbow do I know that Dailey's pVIre Isnt a million dollars?" guished ns suddenly ns the snutling Dale felt as If be bud dashed cold of a cun die, and be crumpled forward to the foot of tbe stairs struck lay water In her face. on bis face, In the darkness. Just Inwith ou to do It, mean do What j side tbe double doors. then?" she said. Dale gave a little whimpering cry Homing' turned the blueprint over of horror, In bis band. Oh, no, no, no," she whispered from I don't know," he said, then tentaa throat, automatically stufflng to dry me Is want It What you tively. her portion of the precious scrap of do?" bbie-priInto tbe bosom of her dress. Hut by now Dale's vague distrust In stood She frozen, not daring to move, him had grown very definite. not daring even to reach down with It to me?" to "Aren't you going give her hnnd and touch tbe body of Flemlie put her off. I'll have to think ing to see If be were dead or alive. blueabout that." lie looked at the A murmur of excited voices soundprint ugaln. "So tbe missing rashler ed from tlu ball. The door flew open Is In this bouse, posing ns a garden Feet stumbled through the darkness er?" be said, with a sneer In his tones. "The noise came from this room !" Dales temper was rising. that was Andersons voice "Holy If you won't give It to me there's Virgin !" that must be IJzzlv a detective In this bouse," she said, Kven as Dale turned to face the aswllh n stamp of her foot. She made sembled household, tbe bouse lights, a imnemcnt ns If to call Anderson extinguished since tbe storm, came on hack turned Jack, then, remembering tn full brilliance revealing her to to Fleming. beside standing them, Fleming's "Dive It to tbe detective and let with Miss Cornelia's revolver body him search," she pleaded. between them. "A detective?" said Fleming, starShe shuddered, seeing Flemings tled. "What's a detective doing here?" arm flung out awkwardly by bis side. "People have been trying to break No living man could lie lu such a In." peat ure. . "Wlint people?" 1 didn't do It! I didnt do It! I don't know." she after n tense silence stammered, Fleming stared out beyond Dale. t hat followed the sudden reillumining Into tbe night. Her eyes wandered "Then It Is here," lie muttered to of tbe lights. himself. Del.ind bis back was It a gust of air that moved them? tbe double doors of tbe alcove swung open jimt a crack. Was a listener crouched behind those doors or was It only a trick of carpentry a gesture of chance? Tbe mask of tbe clubman dropped Ills lips from Fleming completely. drew back from bis teeth in the snarl f a predatory animal that clings to Its prey at the cost of life or death. Dcfore Dale could stop him, be ph kod up tbe discarded "nd threw them on the fire retaining only tbe precious scrap In bis b nd. Tbe roll blackened and burst Into flame. He watched It. smiling. 'I'm not going to give this to any detective," be said quietly, tapping the piece of paper In bis band. Dale's heart pounded slckeningly, but she kept her courage up. Wlmt do you mean?" she sail What are you going to do?" flrrcely. lie faced her across tbe fireplace, bis nlry manner come back to him Just i i'ougti to add an additional touch of ttio sinister to tbe cold of his words. l.et us suppose a few things. Miss The Mask of the Clubman Dropped be said. "Suppose my price From Fleming Completely. Is u million dollars. Suppose I need from figure to figure Idly, noting unmoney very badly and my uncle has lett me a house containing that important details. Hilly was still In amount In cash. Suppose I chooe to bis white coat and bis face. Impassive as ever, showed not the slightest consider that that money is mine then It wouldn't be hard to suppose, surprise. Hrooks and Anderson were but likewise completely dressed wojld it, that I'd make a pretty sinMiss Cornelia cere attempt to get away with It?" begun Dale summoned all her fortitude. retire fer tbe night when she bad beard tbe shot her transformation If you go oat of tills room with that paper 1'n scream for help!" she was askew ttnd she wore a dressing-gown- . As for Lizzie, that worthy said defiantly. of shivered In a gaudy wrapper adorned Fleming made a little mock-bowith Incredible orange flowers, with courtesy, lie smiled. Dale "To carry on our little game of her hair done up In supposing." lie said easily. Suppose saw It nil, and was never after to forthere Is a detective in this house get one single detail of it. Tbe detective was beside her now, end that, if I were cornered. I snould ted Mm. where to lay hU bunds on examining Fleming's body with pro would - blue-print- "That revolver will stay where s curl-paper- fessional rose. thoroughness. At last he Ties dead," he said quickly. A shiver ran through tbe watching group. Dale felt a stilling band con- strict about her heart. There was a pause. Anderson picked up tbe revolver beside Fleming's body and examined it swiftly, careful not to confuse his own fingerprints with any that might already be on tbe polished steel. Then be looked at Dale. Who Is be? he said, bluntly. Dale fought hysteria fer some seconds before she could speak. "IUchard Flejning somebody shot him!" she managed to whisper .at last. Anderson took a step toward her.' What do you mean by somebody?" he suid. The world to Dale turned Into a crowd of threatening, accusing eyes- a multitude of shadowy voices, shoutProve that ing "Guilty! Guilty! you're Innocent you cant !' "I dont know," she said wildly. Somebody on the staircase." "Did you see anybody?" Andersons voice was as passionless and cold as a bar of steel. "No but there was a light from somewhere like a pocket-flasShe could not go on. She saw Flemings face before her furious nt first then changing to that strange look of bewildered surprise she put her hand over her eyes to shut the vision out. Lizzie made a welcome interruption. I, told you I saw a man go up that staircase! she wailed, Jabbing her forefinger In the direction of the alcove stairs. Miss Cornelia, now recovered from the first shock of tbe discovery, supported her gallantly. "Thats the only explanation, Mr. Anderson," she suid decidedly. The detective looked at the stairs at the terrace door. Ilis eyes made a circuit of the room and came back to Flemings Ive said. body. been all over the house, he Theres nobody there." pause followed. Dale found herlooking toward her lover for comfort comfort be could not give without revealing his own secret. Eerily, through the tense silence, a sudden tinkling sounded the sharp, persistent ringing of a telephone bell. Miss Cornelia rose to answer it auTlie house phone! she tomatically. said. Then she stopped. ,rBut we're ' all here." They looked at each other aghast. It was true. And yet somehow somewhere one of the other phones on the circuit was calling the living room. Miss Cornelia summoned every ounce of inherited Van Gorder pride she possessed nnd went to the phone. She took off the receiver. The ringing stopped. "Hello Hello she said, while the others stood rigid, listening. Then An expression of wonsite gffsped. dering horror came over her face. Somebody groaning!" gasped Miss Cornelia. "It's horrible!" Tbe detective stepped up and took the rereiver from her.. He listened anxiously for n moment. I don't hear anything," lie said. "I beard it! I couldn't imagine such a dreadful sound ! I tell you somebody in this lnyise is In terrible disA self helplessly tress." Where does this phone connect?" queried Anderson practically. Miss Cornelia made a hopeless little gesture. Practically eiery room in this bouse! Tbe detective put tbe receiver to Ids ear ac.dii. "Just what did vu hear?" he said, stolidly. Miss Cornelias voice shook. "Dreadful groans and what seemed to tie an inarticulate effort to speak!" Lizzie drew her gaudy wrapper closer about her shuddering form. Id go somewhere, she wailed In tbe voice of a lost soul, "if I only bad somewhere to go ! Miss Cornelia quelled her with a glare and turned back to tbe detective. Wont you send these men to investigate or go yourself?" she said. Indicating Hrooks nnd Hilly. The detective thought swiftly. "My place Is here," be said. "You two men, Hrooks and Hilly moved forward to take bis orders, "take another look through the bouse don't leave tbe building I'll want you pretty It lie said with a grim smile. Jack Hailey knew better than to try aud argue the point. lie followed Hilly reluctantly out of the door, giving Dale a surreptitious glance of encouragement and faith as he did so. The Japanese and he mounted to the second floor, as stealthily as possible, prying into dark corners and searching unused rooms for any clew that might betray the source of the startling phone call from nowhere. But Haileys heart was not in the search. Ilis mind kept going back to tbe figure of Dale nervous- - shaken undergoing the terrors of the third at Andersons hands. She couldnt have shot Fleming, of course and yet unless he and Hilly found something to substantiate her story of how the killing had happened It was her own, unsupported word against a damning mass of circumstantial eviHe plunged with renewed dence. vigor into liis quest. Hack in the living room, as he had feared, Anderson was subjecting Lale to a merciless Interrogation. Now f want the real story!" he You began, with calculated brutality. lied before! Thats no tone to use! Youll terrify her," cried Miss Cornelia indignantly. THq detective paid no attention his face had hardened lie seemed every Inch the remorseless sleuth-hounof the law. He turned on Miss Cornelia for a moment. "Where were you when this happened? he said. "Upstairs in my room." Miss Cornelia's tones were Icy. "And you?" badgeringly, to Lizzie, In my room, said the latter pertly, "brushing Miss Cornelias hair. Anderson broke open the revolver and gave a swift glance at the Is, Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood soon. Hrooks or Jack Hailey, as we may as well call him through the remainder of tills narrative started to obey Then his eye fell on Miss Cornelias revolver, which Anderson had taken from beside Fleming's body and still held clasped in his hand. If you'd give me that qevolver-h- e began in nn oiThnnd tone, hoping Anderson would not see through His little ruse. Once wiped clean of fingerprints, the revolver would not be such telling evidence against Dale Ogden. Hut Anderson was not to ba caught napping. r i de-re- e "lie had a key,1 "Key to what door?" That door over there." Dale Indicated the terrace door of the alcove. The detective was about to ask another question then he paused. Miss Cornelia was talking on the phone. Hello Is that Mr. Johnsons residence? Is Doctor Wells there? No? Her expression was puzzled. "Oh all She right thank you good night rang off, and hung up the phone. Meanwhile Anderson had been listening but thinking as welL Dale saw his sharp glance travel over to the fireplace rest for a moment, with an air of discovery, on the fragments of the roll of blueprints that remained unburned amoqg the ashes return She shut tier eyes for a moment, trying tensely to summon every atom of shrewdness she possessed to aid her. He was hammering, at her with questions again. When did you take that revolver out of the table drawer? "When I heard him outside on the said Dale promptly and terrace, truthfully. I was frightened. Lizzie tiptoed over to Miss Cornelia. You wanted a detective!" she said in an ironic whisper. I hope youre happy now youve got one! Miss Cornelia gave her a look that sent her scuttling back to her former voice. Should she tell him the truth? No Jack Hailey's safety was too Inextricably bound up with the whole sinister business. She must lie and' lie again while there was any chance of a Hes being believed. "I dont know," she said weakly, trying to avoid the detectives eyes. Anderson took thought. Well, I'll ask that question another How did he get Into way," lie said. the house?" Dale brightened no need for a lie here. Down to 03 Pounds Fir.I!y Rectcred to Health by Lydia E.Pinkhams Vegetable Compound Alter having my Cleveland, Ohio. "first baby, I lost weight, no matter what I did. Then a doctor told mo I would he better if I had another baby, which I did. But I got worse, was al- ways sickly and went down to 9S pounds. My neighbor told me about Lydia E. Pinkhams pound, as it helped Vegetable Comher very much, so tried it After taking four bottles, I weigh 116 pounds. It has just done wonders for me and I can do my housework now without one bit of trouble. Mbs. M. Reessingeb, 10004 Nelson Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. If some good fairy should appear, and offer to grant your hearts desire, what would you choose? Wealth? Happiness? Health? Thats the best gift. Health Is riches that gold cannot buy and surely health is cause enough for happiness. Lydia E. Pinkhams Vegetable Com- pound may be the good fairy who offers you better health. I At all -- drug and shoe stores VZScholl's Put one on th pain is gone Xino-pad- s Phew! have forgotten our wedshe said bitterly. ding anniversary, How could I remember it? he in.Time has slipped away so quired. fast and so happily that the wedding seems but yesterday. Washington Star.. So you For Colds, Grip or Influenza - ' and as a Preventive, take Laxative BROMO QUININE Tablets. A Safe ana Proven Remedy. The box bears the aignature of E. W. Grove. 30c. Adv. I Think She Knows More Than She Telling." post by the door. But nevertheless, Internally, she felt thoroughly in accord with Lizzie. Again Andersons questions pounded at tlie rigid Dale striving to pierce her armor of mingled truth and falsehood. "When Fleming came in, what did he say to you? "Just something about the weather," said Dale weakly. The whole scene was still too horribly vivid before her eyes for her to furnish a more convincing alibi. You havent had any quarrels with him?" Dale hesitated. No." He just came In that door said something about the weather and was shot front that staircase. Is 'that it? said the detective in tones of utter incredulity. Dale hesitated again. Thus baldly put, her story seemed too llmsy for words she could not even blame Anderson for disbelieving it. And yet what other story could she tell that would not bring ruin on Jack? Her face whitened. She put her hand on the back of a chair for support. Yes thats it, she said, at last, and swayed where she stood. Again Miss Cornelia tried to come to the rescue. Are all these questions necessary?" Y'ou cant for a site queried sharply. moment believe that Miss Ogden shot that man !" Hut by now, though she did not show it, she, too, began to realize the strength of tlie appalling net of circumstances that drew with each minute tighter around the unhappy girl. Dale gratefully seized the mo- -' mentary respite and sank into a cliair. Tlie detective looked at her. "I think she knows more than shes telling. Shes concealing something! he said, with deadly intentness. "The nephew of the president of the Union bank shot in his own house the day the bank has failed that's queer Now he turned back to enough But when the only Miss Cornelia. person present at his murder is the girl whos engaged to the guilty cashier!" he continued, watching Miss Cornelia's face as the full force of his words sank into her mind, "I want to know more about it !" The wise wife has no wishes for her husband to gratfiy. The Health of a Mother I of Great Importance Reno, Nev. "I do not hesitate to recommend Dr. Pierces Favorite Prescription to be a fine medicine. During expectancy and afterward I always took the Favorite Prescription and I know that it was wonderful help and benefit to me. It gave me strength and courage and helped me In every way. I would advise prospective mothers to give this old and reliable remedy a fair trial." Mrs. Z. Clark, 633 W. 2d St. Go to your neighborhood drug store and get Favorite Prescription in tablets or liquid. Write Dr. Pierce, President Invalids' Hotel in Buffalo, N. Y., and receive good medical advice free. Have you ever tried Dr. Pierces Pleasant Pellets for the stomach and bowels? Your dealer has them 60 Pellets, 30 cents, in handy glass vials. Drink Water to Help Wash Out Kidney Poison . (TO BE CONTINUED.) Cheerfulness a Factor in Symphony of Life Cheerfulness Is more precious than great riches. If I were founding a new religion its first commandment should be: "Thou shalt be cheerful." If I were instituting a new school of medicine Its fundamental principle would be: "Cheerfulness on the part of the doctor, and for the patient good cheer. For in the symphony of life much gold without cheerfulness is as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. without cheerfulness Is a mockery. Success in the cure of most maladies depends upon faith and. hope and cheerfulness. Tlie optimist is cheerfulness personified; the pessimist a walking grouch. WORSE Quick relief from pain. Prevent shoe pressure. s. "One shot has been fired from tills revolver ! Miss Cornelia sprang to her nieces defense. "I fired It myself, this afternoon," she said. The detective regarded her with grudging admiration. Youre a quick thinker, he said with obvious unbelief in bis voice. He put tfie revolver down on the table. Miss Cornelia followed up her advantage. "I demand that you get tbe coroner here," she said. Doctor Wells Is the coroner," offered Lizzie eagerly. Anderson brushed their suggestions aside. Im goin to ask you some questions! be said menacingly to Dale. Iut Miss Cornelia stuck to her guns. Dale was not going to be bullied into any sort of confession, true or false, If she could help it and from the way that the girls eyes returned with ' fascinated horror to the ghastly heap on the floor that had been Fleming, she knew that slie was on the edge of violent hysteria. Do you mind covering that body first? she said crisply. The detective eyed her for a moment in a rather ugly fashion then grunted, ungraciously, and, taking Flemings raincoat from the chair, threw it over the body. Dales eyes telegraphed her aunt a silent message of gratitude. Now shall I telephone for the coroner?" persisted Miss Cornelia. The detective obviously resented her interference with his methods but he could not well refuse such a customary request. Ill do it, he said, with. a snort, going over to the city telephone. What's his number?" Hes not nt bis ollice lies at the Johnson's, murmured Dale. Miss Cornelia took the telephone from Anderson's hands. 'Til get the Johnsons, Mr. Anderson, she said firmly. The detective seemed about to rebuke her. Then his manner recovered some of its former He relinquished tbe telesunvity. phone nnd turned back toward his prey. Now, what was Fleming doing here? lie asked Dale In a gentler BAD TO Bunions d bullet-chamber- SHE WENT FROM The cheerful optimist makes the progress of humanity; the growling pessimist would turn back tlie wheel of time. Abas with pessimism Let Excheerfulness reign supreme. change. 1 Blindness Reduced The underlying cause of blindness, whether tlie result of disease or accident, is usually ignorance. Iu IS yean the percentage of children In th schools for tlie blind who lost their sight because of ophthalmia, neonatorum (babies sore eyes) for cn turies the principal cause of id indues has been reduced more than 51 pe cent. If Your Back Hurts or Bladder Bothers You, Begin Taking Salts When your kidneys hurt and your back feels sore dont get seared and proceed to load your stomach with a lot of drugs that excite the kidneys nnd irritate the entire urinary tract. Keep your kidneys clean like you beep your bowels clean, by flushing them with a mild, harmless salts which helps to remove the bodys uri- nous waste and stimulates them t their normal activity. The function of the kidneys is to filter tlie blood. In 24 hours they strain from it 500 grains of acid nnd waste, so we can readily understand tlie vital importance of keeping the kidneys active. Drink lots of good water you cant drink too much; also get from any pharmacist about fcmr ounces of Jad Salts; take a tablespoonful In a glass of water before breakfast each morn- ing for a few days and your kidneys may then act fine. This famous salts is made from the acid of grapes and lemon juice, combined with lithia, and has been used for years to help clean and stimulate clogged kidneys; also to neutralize the acids In the system so they are no longer a source of Irritation, thus often relieving bladder weakness. Jad Salts Is inexpensive, cannot injure; makes a delightful effervescent lithia-wate- r drink, which everyone should take now nnd then to help keep their kidneys clean nnd active. Try this ; also keep up the water drinking, and no dubt you will wonder what became of your kidney trouble and backache. DISFIGURE ',YS Looks f Dont your experlmert use M1TI HELL thm, SALVE for EYE j J j j - |