OCR Text |
Show The Romance of Elaine SEQUEL TO THE EXPLOITS OF ELAINE A Detective Novel By ARTHUR B. REEVE OtldO MotiOtI PiCm Well-Known Novelist and ,, n. tho Creator of the "Craig Wre Drama Kennedy" Storlea Presented in Collaboration With the Patbe Tltycrs and the Eclcctlt Film Co. 1 , Cctrtifbt. 1914 by tit Sill Coapcnr All Pordrn Rlibti Homed. 'fcf: 1 ( SYNOPSIS. After the flndlns of Wu Kane's body and Kennedy's disappearance, n submarine np ' pears the following morning on this bay. ' A man, plunges overboard from It and swims ashore. It Is the entrnnco of Mar-clus Mar-clus Del Mar Into America. His mission is to obtain Information of Kennedy and recover, If possible, the lost torclo. At tho Dodgo homo ho soon wins the confidence confi-dence of Hlalno. Later she Is warned 5r. a little old man to bo careful of Del Mar. ' This warning come Just In tlmo to prc-, prc-, vent Del Mar from carrying out his plans. ., Elaine gives a masquerade ball. Del Mar 'ffk attends. Nolther ho nor his domino girl IB' can locato tho torpedo. A gray friar warns J Klatno and Jameson of Del Star's purpose, . nnd his plans ure upset. Tho girl enters the Dodge homo as a maid; finds tho tor- pedo. places It In a trunk, which with oth- ers Is sent to tho Dodgo country homo. In a holdup Del Mar's men fall to get the trunk containing tho torpedo. Klatno hides tho torpedo, which later Is stolen by Del Mar's men, who In escaping meet tho old man of mystery. A desperate battlo follows, In which tho old man destroys the torpedo. Jameson Is captured by Del Mar's men whilo on his way to mall n letter to the U. 8. secret service Klatno rescues him. Lieutenant Woodward and ids friend nttend n party given at tho Dodgo homo, at which Del Mar Is present. pres-ent. Unknowingly Del Mar drops a noto which gives Klalno a cluo. In her attempt to prevent his cutting tho Atlantic cablo sho Is discovered nnd made a prisoner on the boat, which afterwards Is wrecked by Woodward and tho old man of mys-tory. mys-tory. Jameson arrives In a hydo-uero-plano Just in tlmo to savo Klalno from drowning. Klalno discovers the cave behind be-hind tho water door. THIRTY-FIRST EPISODE AT THE OLD HOSTELRY. Off. a lonely wharf on a deserted part of tho coast some miles from tho - promontory which afforded Del Mar , hla secret submarine harbor, a ship I was riding at anchor. I On tho wharf a group of men, husky Lascars, wero straining their oyes at tho mysterious craft. , "Hero sho comes," muttered ono of ' tho men, "at last." j From the ship a largo yawl had put fm 5-n out. Ad sho approached tho wharf It . could bo seen that sho was loaded to '. tho gunwales with cases and boxes. Sho drew up close to tho wharf, and - tho men foil to unloading her, lifting up tho boxes as though they wero I weighted with feathers Instead of H metal and explosives. v Down tho shore, at tho samo tlmo, f behind a huge rock, crouched a rough- r looking tramp. Ills, Interest in the yawl and Its cargo was oven keener than that of tho Lascars. "Supplies," ho muttered, moving back cautiously and up tho bluff. "I wonder whoro they aro taking them?" Marcus Dol Mar had chosen an old and ruined hotel not far from tho ehoro as his storehouso and arsenal. Already ho was there, pacing up and down tho rotted veranda which shook under his weight. t "Como, hurry up," ho called impa- I tlontly as tho first of tho men carry- ' lng a hugo box on his back mado his : appearanco up tho hill. One after another they trooped In and Del Mar led them to tho hotel, unlocking un-locking tho door. Insldo, tho old hostelry wan qulto as ramshackle as outside. What had onco boon tho dining room now held noth- . - - .-' lug but a long, rickety tablo and sov- oral chairs. I "Put them there," ordered Del Mar, directing tho disposal of tho cases. "Then you can begin work. I shall be back soon." ' Ho went out, and as ho did bo, two men seized guns from a corner near - . by and followed him. On tho veranda """ """" ' ho paused and turned to tho men. "It anyono approaches tho house ' anyone, you understand make him a ', prisoner aud send for mo," ho or dered. "If ho resists, shoot." "Yes, air," thoy replied, moving ovor nnd stationing themselves ono at each anglo of tho narrow paths that ran boforo tho old house. Del Mar turned and plunged delib-I delib-I . cratoly into tho bushes, as if for r cross-country walk, unobserved. Meanwhile, by another path up tho bluff, tho trump had made his way parallel par-allel to tho lino taken by tho men. Ho I paused at tho top of tho bluff wliero B somo bushes overhung and parted i them. y "Their headquarters," ho remarked to himself, under his breath. Elnlno, Aunt Josophlno and I wero on tho lawn that forenoon when a i groom in resplendent livery camo up ' to UB. i "Miss Elalno Dodge?" he bowed. Etaino took the noto ho offered and I ho departed with another bow. ' "Oh, Isn't that delightful?" she cried I Jt?f with pleasure, handing the noto to mo. i -d I road It: "Tho Wilkeabire Country club will be honored if Miss Dodge S and her friends will join the paper chase this afternoon. L. H. Drown, Secretary." t ' ' "I ouppose a preparation for tho (ox or drag hunting season?" I queried. "Yes," sho replied. "Will you go?" "I don't rldo very well," I answered, "but I'll go." "Oh, and here's Mr. Del Mar," Bho added, turning. "You'll join us at the IWilkcshlro hunt In a paper chase this aftornoon, surely, Mr. Dol Mar?" "Charmed, I'm Bure," he agreed gracefully. For several minutes wo chatted, )lannlat then he withdrew. "I shall J meet you on tho way to tho club," ho promised. It was not long boforo Elalno was ready, and from tho stablo a groom led three of tho best-trained crosscountry cross-country horses in tho neighborhood, for old Taylor Dodgo, Elaine's father, had been passionately fond of hunting, as had been both Elalno and Aunt Jo- rtnnlilnn Wo met on tho porch and a few minutes min-utes later mounted and cantqred uway. On tho road Del Mar joined us nnd wo galloped along to tho Hunt club, careful, care-ful, however, to savo tho horses as much us posslblo for tho dash ovor tho fields. For somo tlmo tho uncouth tramp continued gazing fixedly out of tho hushes at tho deserted hotel. Suddenly ho heard a nolso and dropped flat on the ground, looking keenly about. Through tho trees ho could seo ono of Dol Mar's men stationed sta-tioned on sentry duty. Ho was leaning lean-ing against a treo, on tho alert. Tho tramp rosa cautiously and moved off in another direction to that In which ha had boon making his way, endeavoring to flank tho Bentry. Farther Far-ther along, howover, another of Dol Mar's men was standing in tho samo attentlvo manner near a path that led from the woods. A3 tho tramp approached tho sentry heard a crackle of tho brush and stepped forward. Boforo the tramp knew it, ho was covered by a rifle from tho sentry in an unexpected quarter. Anyono but the sentry, with half an oye, might have Been that the fear ho showed was cleverly feigned. He threw his hands nbovo his head oven before ho was ordered, and In general was tho most tractablo captive imaginable. imag-inable. Tho sentry blow a whlstlo, whereat tho other sentry ran In. "What shall wo do with him?" asked tho captor. "Master's orders to tako anyone to tho rendezvous," responded tho other firmly, "and lock him up." Together thoy forced tho tramp to march doublo quick toward the old hotel. Ono Bentry dropped back at tho door and tho other drovo tho tramp before him into tho hotel, avoiding avoid-ing tho big room on tho sldo whero tho men woro at work and forcing him upstairs to tho attic which bad once been the servants' quarters. There was no window in tho room and it was empty. Tho only light camo in through a skylight in tho roof. Tho sentry thrust tho tramp Into this room and tried a door leading to tho next room. It was locked. At tho point of his gun the sentry frisked tho tramp for weapons, but found nono. As ho did so tho tramp smiled quietly to himself. Ho tried both dcors. They wero locked. Then he looked at tho skylight and meditated. Down below, although ho did not know it, In tho bare dining room which had been arranged into a sort of chemical laboratory, Dol Mar's men wero engaged in manufacturing gas bombs much like those used In the war in Europe. Boforo them was a formidable array of bottles and retorts. re-torts. Tho containers for the bombs woro largo and very brlttlo globes of hard rubber. As tho men mado tho gas and forced it under tromondous prcBBuro into tubes, thoy protected thomselves by wearing goggles for tho eyes and largo masks of cloth and saturated sat-urated cotton ovor their mouths and noses. Satisfied with tho aafoty of his captive, cap-tive, tho sentry made his way downstairs down-stairs and out again to report to Del Mar. At tho bungalow, Del Mar's valet was setting tho library in order whon ho heard a signal in tho secret pas-sago. pas-sago. Ho pressed tho button on tho desk and opened tho panel. From it tho sentry entered, "Whero is Mr. Dol Mar?" he asked hurriedly, looking around. "Wo'vo been followed to the headquarters by a tramp whom 1'vo captured, and 1 don't know what to do with him." "Ho Ib not here," answered the valet "Ho has gone to the Country club." "Confound It," returned tho Bentry, vexed at tho enforced waste of time. "Do you think you can reach him?" "If I hurry, I may," nodded tho valet. "Then do bo," directed tho sentry. He movod back into the panel and disappeared whilo tho valet closed it. A moment later ho, too, picked up his hat and hurried out. At tho Wilkeshlre club a largo number num-ber of hunters had arrived for tho imitation meet. Elalno, Aunt Joseph-ino, Joseph-ino, Dol Mar and myself rode up and were greeted by them as the master of tho foxhounds assembled us. Off a bit a splendid pack of hounds was hold by tho huntsman whilo they do-bated do-bated whether to hold a paper chaso or try a drag hunt. Tho chaso was just nbout to start, when tho valet came up. Del Mar caught his eye nnd excused himself to us. What he said wo could not hear, but Dol Mar frowned, nodded and dismissed dis-missed him. JuBt then the horn sounded and we went off, dashing ncroBs tho road into a field In full chaso after tho hounds, taking tho fences nnd settling down to a good half hour's run ovor the most beautiful country I lmvo ever Been. Th6 huntsman winded his horn nnd mirthful Bhouts of "Gone nwayl" sounded in imitation of n real hunt. Elalno was ono of tho foremost. Her hunter was ono carofully trained, and sho know all tho tricks of tho gamo. Somehow I got separated, at first, from tho rest and followed, until finally I caught up, and then kept bo-hind bo-hind ono of tho best riders. Dol Mar also got separated, but, as I afterward learned, by intention, for ho deliberately rodo out of tho courso at tho first opportunity ho had nnd let Elaine nnd tho rest of us pass without seeing him. Elaine's blood was up, but somehow, some-how, in spite of herself, Bho went astray, for tho hounds had dlBtnncod tho fleetest riders and she, In an attempt at-tempt at a short cut over the country which sho thought sho knew bo well, went a mile or so out of tho wny. Sho pulled up In a ravino nnd looked about. Intently sho listened. Thero was no sign of tho hunt. Sho was hot and tired and thirsty nnd, nt a loss Just how to Join tho field again, sho took this chanco to dismount and drink from a clear stream fed by mountain springs. As sho did so, floating over tho peaceful woodland air camo tho faint strains of tho huntsman's horn, far, far off. Sho looked about, straining hor oyes and cars to catch tho direction direc-tion of sound. Just then hor horso caught tho winding of tho horn. His cars went erect, and without waiting ho Instantly galloped off, leaving her. Elalno called and ran aftor him, but It was too lato. Sho stopped mid looked dejectedly after him as ho disappeared. dis-appeared. Then sho mado her way up the sldo of tho ravine, slowly. On sho climbed until, to her surprise, sur-prise, sho camo to tho ruins of an old tho window. "Now get her!" Tho men had sprung nt hto alarm. They could all seo her nnd with ono accord dashed for tho door. Elnlno sprang bnck nnd thoy rnn as thoy saw that sho was warned. In genuine fonr sho too ran from tho window. Hut it was too Into. For Just then tho Bentry who had taken Del Mar's horso camo from behind be-hind tho building, cutting oft hor retreat. re-treat. Ho seized her just ns tho other men ran out. Elnlno stared. Sho could niako nothing of them. Even Dol Mar, In his goggles and breathing mask, was unrccognlzablo. "Tako her Inside," ho ordorcd disguising dis-guising his voice. Then to tho sentry ho ndded, "Get on guard again and don't let anyono through." Elnlno was hustled into tho big deserted de-serted hallway of tho hotel, just ns tho tramp had been. "You mny go back to work," Del Mar Blgned to tho other men, who wont on, leaving ono short but nthlctlc-looklng fellow with Del Mnr and Elalno. "Lock her" up, Shorty," ordered Del Mar, "and bring tho other prisoner to mo down hero." Nono too gently tho man forced Elalno upBtaira ahead of him. In tho attic tho tramp pacing up and down, hoard footsteps approach on tho stairs and enter tho next room. Quickly ho rnn to tho doorway aud peered, through tho keyhole. Thoro ho could bco Elalno nnd tho small man enter. Ho locked tho door to the hnjl, then quickly took a Btep toward tho door into tho tramp's room. Thero was just tlmo enough for tho tramp to bco his approach. Ho ran swiftly nnd softly ovor to tho farther corner and dropped down, ns though sound asleep. Tho koy turned In tho lock and tho small man entered, careful care-ful to lock tho door to Elnlno's room. Ho moved over to whero tho tramp was feigning sleep. "Get up," ho growled, kicking him. Tho tramp sat up, yawning nnd rubbing rub-bing his oyes. "Como now, bo reason- BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBT ?J "A J """"! $Nv ". T.TTrfiriri' rnLT " H ' VUBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBbVBB 4 lMHslHl Cjf V N .- H tBBBBBr kvA4JBBIBBBBBBBb vP ."" BHBBBBBBBv .vbbBBBBh IVHskc jlU. jhsX yamuV $ 'js tP' xfioVvSaBBBBBBBV bksVbbbBi m3Ml " r rWVA jf jBBJK, vL tMHMW" "K XHsJuHttflBm y BllLHaBILlBBBBBBBBBBib. "V 4 J Jt SBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBfcUtBK9 V bBHF9HN1sM i. S MBBHBBllilBBBBBt9lliBBBBBBBvBhlfiC 4wTuv? i ' . J? UilBBBBlBHilBBBlilK -. - - TT&. 9r hXvSSNHHPVa BF 3HVHHBsBTkBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBk? -V iV 4 f Af HmM -. .t.. JtWK.. jCKJFj jSrilrRHBViBBBBBBBbsltS S i '"l '"'!' 'i-S.'''"' &T ' (- iT MoB fBBBBBBMQHMm'TfeBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB JBBBBBBBBBBBBBm C; lllIP' '"AlP t )m i',J!BuWllBBBBBBBBBBBBBa IjDBBBBBBBBBbV a!&$i$SSKtBIBffiSmK!9M IIBBBBBBBBBBBBBSW ? 41bIIIIIIHBSBBB11BbIK&9bbBBBBBBBBBBBf! BBBBBBBBBBBBBT v- Q9HBBBBV4BffVBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB9BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBV V JM a& ibbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbS 4 4lWi9EBvn7SraWaKwiBil UBHiKtimBBBSi&R&&SK I xa-. LUbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbW HEBBMBBflBy KBr tjdraylJgWyWv " "- k v M Elaine Is Captured at tho Old Hotel. hotel. She remembered, as a child, when It had been famous as a health resort, but It was all changed now a wreck. Sho looked at It a moment, then, as Bho had nothing better to do, approached it. Sho advanced toward a window of tho dining room and looked In. Del Mar waited only until tho last straggler had passed. Then ho dashed off as fast as hlB horso would carry him straight toward tho deserted hotel which Borved him as headquarters for the supplies ho was accumulating. As ho rodo up ono of his sontrles appeared, ap-peared, ns if from nowhere, and, seeing see-ing who it was, salutod. "Hero, tako caro of this horso," or dered Del Mar, dismounting and turning turn-ing tho animal over to the man, who led him to tho rear of the building as Del Mar cntored the front door, after giving a secret signal. Thoro were his men In goggles and masks at tho work which his knock had Interrupted. "Givo mo a mask before I enter tho room," ho ordered of tho man who had answered his signal. Tho man handed tho mask nnd goggles gog-gles to him, as well as a coat, which ho put on quickly. Then ho entered tho room and looked nt tho rapid progress of tho work. "Whero'a tho prisoner?" asked Dol Mar a moment later, satisfied at tho progress of his men. "In tho attio room," one of his lieutenants lieu-tenants Indicated. "I'd liko to take a look nt him," added Del Mar, JuBt about to turn and leavo the room. As ho did bo ho happened to glanco at ono of tho windows. Thore, poor-ing poor-ing through tho broken shutters, was a face a girl's face Elalno I "Just what I wanted guarded against," ho cried angrily, -pointing at nblo," demanded tho man. "Follow mo." Ho started toward tho door into tho hall. Ho nover reached It. Scarcely was his hand on tho knob when the tramp seized him and dragged him to tho floor. Ono hand on tho man's throat and his knees on his chest, tho tramp toro off tho breathing mask and goggles. Already ho had tho man trussed up nnd gagged. Quickly tho tramp undressed tho man and loft him in hie underclothes, still struggling to get looso, ns he took Shorty's clothes, including tho strango headgear, and unlocked tho door into tho next room with tho key ho also took from him. Elalno was pacing anxiously up and down tho littlo room into which she had been thrown, greatly frightened. Suddenly tho door through which her enptor had left opened hurriedly again. A most dlsreputablo-looklng tramp entered and locked tho door again. Elalno started back in fear. Ho motioned to hor to bo quiet. "You'll never get out nllvo," ho whispered, whis-pered, opeaking rapidly and thickly, as though to disguise his voice. "Hero tako thoso clothes. Do Just as I say. Put them on. Put on tho mnsk and goggles. Cover up your hair. It is your only chanco. Ho laid tho clothes down and went out into tho hallway. Outside ho listened carefully at tho head of tho Btalrs and looked ubout expecting momentarily mo-mentarily to bo discovered. Elnlno understood only that suddenly sud-denly n friend in need had appeared. Sho changed hor clothes quickly, finding find-ing fortunately that thoy fitted her protty well, By pulling tho hat ovor her hair and tho goggles over tho oyes and trying on tho breathing mask, she mado a very presentable man. Cautiously sho pushed open tho door Into tho hallway. There was the tramp. "What Bhall I do?" sho asked. "Don't tnlk," ho whispered closo to her ear. "Go out nnd it you meet anyone, Just sftluto nnd walk past." "Yes yes. 1 understand," sho nodded nod-ded back, "and thank you. ' Ho gavo her no tlmo to Bay moro, oven If it hnd been safe, but turned nnd locked tho door of her room. Trying to keep tho old stairway from creaking and betraying her, she wont down. Sho managed to reach tho lowor hallway without scolng nny-body nny-body or being discovered. Quietly bIio went to tho door nnd out. Sho hnd not gono far when slio"tnot nn nrmod mnn, tho sentry, who had been concealed con-cealed In tho Bhrubbery. "Who goes thoro?" ho challenged. Elnlno did not botrny horsolf by spenklng, but moroly saluted and pnBscd on as fast as sho could without exciting further suspicion. Nonplused, Non-plused, tho mnn turned nnd watched her curiously ns Bho moved away down tho path. "Whero'a ho going?" tho Bentry muttered, ntlll staring. Elnlno In her eagerness was not looking na carefully whero sho was going ns eho was thinking nbout getting get-ting away in safety. Suddenly an ovcrhnuglng branch of a treo caught her hat, nnd boforo Bho know It pulled It off hor head. Thero was no concealing con-cealing her golden hair now. "Stop!" shouted tho aontry. Elaine did not pnuBO, but dived Into tho bushes on tho sldo of tho path, Just ns tho man fired and ran forwnrd, still shouting for hor to halt. Sho ran as fast as sho could, pulling off tho goggles and mask and looking bnck now and then in torror at her purBuer, who was rapidly gaining on hor. Boforo sho could catch herself sho missed her footing and slipped ovor tho odgo of a gorgo. Down sho went, with a rush. Tho sentry checked himself just in tlmo nt tho top of tho gorgo nnd leaned as far over tho edgo as he dared. Ho raised his gun again and fired. But Elnlno's courso was so hidden hid-den by tho trees and so zigzag that ho mlssod again. A moment ho hesitat ed, then started and climbed down aftor her as fact as ho could. At tho bottom of tho hill sho picked herself up and dashed again luto tho woods, tho sentry still nfter hor and gaining again. At tho samo tlmo wo who wero still In tho chaso had circled about tho country until wo woro very near whoro wo started. Following tho dogs over a rail fence, I drew up suddenly, hearing hear-ing a scream. Thoro wns Elalno, on foot, running as If her llfo dopended on it. I needed need-ed no Bccond glanco. Behind hor was n man with a rlllo, almost overtaking her. Ab luck would havo it, tho momentum momen-tum of my horso carried mo right at them. Careful to avoid Elalno, I rodo squaro at tho man, striking at him viciously with my riding crop betoro ho knew what had struck him. Tho fellow dropped, stunned. I leaped from my horso and ran to her, Just as tho rest of tho hunt camo up. Having waited until ho was Bure that Elalno had got away safely, tho old tramp slowly and carefully followed fol-lowed down tho stairs of tho ruined hotel. As ho went down ho heard a "hot from tho woods. Could it bo ono of tho sentries? He looked about keenly, keen-ly, hesitating just what to do. In an instant, down below, ho heard tho scurry of footsteps from tho Improvised Im-provised laboratory and shouts. IIo turned and stealthily ran upstairs, just as tho door opened, Tho tramp had not boon tho only ono who had been alarmed by tho shot of tho sentry. Del Mar was talking again to the men when it rang out. "What's that?" ho exclaimed, "Another Intruder?" Tho men stared at him blankly, while Dol Mar dashed for the door, followed by them all. In tho hall he Issued his orders quickly. "Hero, you fellows," ho called, dividing di-viding tho men, "get outsldo and bco what Is doing. You other men-follow mo. I want you to seo if ovorytblng is all right up above." Meanwhile tho tramp hnd gained tho upper hallway and dashed past tho room which ho had occupied. Outside, Out-side, In tho hall, Del Mar and his men rushed up to tho door of tho room in which Elalno hnd been thrown. It wns locked and thoy broko in. Sho was gonol On Into tho next room thoy dashed, bearing down this door also. Thero was Shorty, trussed up in his underclothes. under-clothes. Thoy hastened to release him. "Whero nro- they whero'a tho tramp?" demanded Dol Mar angrily. "I think I heard Bomcono on tho roof," replied Shorty weakly. Ho was right- The tramp had mnn-aged mnn-aged to get through a scuttlo on the roof. Then ho climbed down to tho edgo and began to let himself hand-ovor-hand down tho lightning rod. Reaching tho ground safely, ho scurried about to the back of tho building. build-ing. Thero, tied, was the horso which Dol Mar had ridden to tho hunt. He untied it, mounted and dashed off down tho path through tho woods, taking tak-ing tho shortest cut in tho direction of Fort Dale. Dusty and flecked with foam, the tramp and his mount, a strange combination, com-bination, wero Instantly challenged by tho Bentry at tho fort. "I must soe Lieutenant Woodward immediately," urged tho tramp. A heated argumont followed, until finally a corporal of the guard was called and led off tho tramp toward the headquarters. It was only a low mtnutct botora H Woodward was convinced of tho ldon- H tlty of tho trnmp with his friend, Pro- j H feasor Arnold. At tho head of a squad' J H of cavalry, Woodward and tho tramp H dashed off. H Already on tho qui vivo, Elalno H heard tho Bound of hoofbeats long H boforo tho rest of us crowded nroundi H her. For tho moment wo nil stood' H ready to repel an attack from any H qunrtor. H But It was not meant for us. It was H Woodward at tho head of a score or bo- of cavnlrymon. With him rodo a H trnmp on n horso which wns strangely- H familiar to mo. H "Oh!" cried Elnlno, "thoro'fl tho man- H who saved mot" H As thoy passed, tho tramp paused a H moment nnd looked at us sharply. Al- aM though ho carefully avoided Elnlno's H eyes, 1 fancied that only when ho saw" H that sho waB aafo was ho satisfied to- H gallop off and rejoin tho cavalry. H Around tho old hotel, In ovory dlroc- H Hon, Dol Mar's m on wero sonrchlng H for tho tramp and Elalno, whilo in the H hotel another search was in progress, H "Havo you discovered anything?"' H naked Del Mar, entering. H "No, sir," thoy retorted. H "Confound It!" sworo Del Mnr, go- H lng upstairs again. H Horo wero also mon searching.; jH "Find nnythlng?" ho asited briefly. H "No luck," returned ono. H Del Mar wont on up to tho top floor H and out through tho open scuttle to- H tho roof. "That's how ho got away, all H right," ho muttorod to hlmsolf, then- H looking up ho oxclnimed uudor hlo- H breath, nB his oyo caught something. H fnr off, "Tho douco whnt'B that?" H Leaning down to tho scuttlo, ha H called, "Jonklus my field glasses H quick 1" 1 Ono of his mon handed them to hlnv H and ho adjusted them, gazing off in- H tcntly. Thoro ho could boo what- H looked llko a squad of cavalry gallop- H lng along, hended by an offlcer and R H rough-looking individual. H "Como wo muBt got ready for an H In tho laboratory-dining room hltv H men, recalled, hastily took his orders.. H Each of them seized ono of tho hugo- H black rubber, nowly completed gas- H bombs and ran out, making foragrova H near by. H Quickly as Del Mar had acted, it M was not dono so fast but that tho- H troop of cavalry, as thoy pulled up on- H tho top of a hill and followed tho dl- H roctlng finger of tho tramp, could seo H men running to tho cover of tho grove. H "Forward!" shouted Woodward. H As If all woro ono machine tho men , H aud horses shot nhoad, until thoy came . H to tho grovo about tho old hotel. Thero- I M they dismounted and spread out in & I H semicircular order, advancing on tho H grovo. As thoy did bo, shots rang out H from bohlnd tho trees. Dol Mar's men. i'sl from tho shelter, woro firing at thenx H But it seemed hopeless for tho fugV i'fH tlvcs. i "Ready!" ordorcd Del Mar, as the cavalrymen advanced, relentless. . 11 Each of his men picked up ono ot. H tho big black gas bombs and hold It. Q H high up ovor his head. i& t H "Como on!" urged Woodward". ?J H grovo. i H "Throw them I" ordered Dol Mar. )! H As far as ho could hurl it, each of ; H tho mon sent ono ot tho black globes- ( H hurling through tho nlr. Thoy fell' ' H almost simultaneously, a long line or H thorn, each breaking into a thousand j H hits. Instantly denso, greenish-yellow , H fumes seemed to pour forth, envelop- M Ing everything. The wind which Dol H Mar had carof ully noted when ho chose- H .tho position in tho grovo, was blowing; H from his men toward tho only position? jH from which an attack could bo made H successfully. H Against Woodward's men as- they H charged it seemed as if a tremendous,. H slow-moving wall of vapor woro ad"- H vanclng from tho trees. It was only a H moment boforo it completely wrapped H them in its stifling, choking, suffocat- H Ing embrace. Somo fell, overcome H Others tried to run, clutching frar H tlcally at their throats and rubbing; H their oyes. H "Got bnck quick till it rolls averrw H choked Woodward. H Thoso who wero ablo to do bo picked H up their stupefied comrades and ro- jH treated, as best they could, stumbling; H blindly back from tho fearful death H cloud of chlorlno. H Meantime under cover of this welrcT H defense, Del Mar and his men, tholrr jH own faces covered and unrecognizable? H in tholr breathing masks and goggles,. H dashed to ono sldo with a shout, andt jH disappeared, walking and running bo- H hind and oven through the safety of flfl their impregnable gas barrier. F9 Moro slowly wo of tho hunt had fol- iml lowed Woodward's cavalry until, snmo mM dlstanco off, wo stood, witnessing AncK fc$3 wondering nt tho attack. To our at- ffitjlti tor amazomont wo Baw thorn carrying: VaR off their wounded and stupefied men, w Wo hurried forward and gathered 'JrapM about, offering whatever assistance wc iaSsv " could to rcBuacItato them. relaiS As Elalno and I helped, wo saw tho . flprv unkempt figure of tho tramp borne im Jt4f' and laid down. Ho was not com- lSW pletely overcome, having had presonco- (- mfl ' of mind to tlo a handkerchief over hl 'twill noso and mouth. m&$ Elalno hurried toward him with an E0 exclamation of sympathy. Just rocov- ' m). ering full consciousness, ho heard her; tfum With tho greatest difficulty, he H seemed to summon some rcsorve force- jH not yet used. He struggled to his feet jH nnd staggered off, as though he wouldr ; jH CBcapo us. H "What a strange old codger," muBed' H Elalno, looking away from me and at ; S the retreating figure. "He saved my M lifo yet ho won't even let me than Ipl him or help him!" fsH (TO IB CONTINUED:)' , M sllH Hi 'IHsi 'isl hhih c. ,tT flMgmfru .--. JsIB |