Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 11, 1923, Page 10

PACE TEN: CHARACTERS IN THE STORY Tho Friends of the Poor, is an or- graph was pub! r nd in the and they disappointing to what whose Gr garden Jasper the time limit set for the deposit “THE SECRET TOLL” By Paul and Mabel Thorne, Authors of “The Sheridan Road Mystery” INSTALLMENT NO. NINE of the Poor.” shed in the stir. riend: His photo. Times and has pre ed on the Those who ve certain an oak tree { an Road, who have are found created a considerable A small army of dete signed to the case, and n pressed it, “You can’t turn a corner Are without steppin’ on some bull's toes.”” not| Police activity was largely expend- dead, ed in espionage upon all people who tion | lived in the vicinity of the oak tree. the Forrester estate, itself and, For- rester discovered, the tree. But the “Friends of the Poor’ were undaunted and one morning the de- tective who had been on watch at the | tree the n’ght before was found dead. ht |It was another clear case apparently a friend of For-|of asphyxiation, accomplished some- lea hose doors. ude'y written note ve $10,000 in the mes Wednesday y midn’ nade him to a¢-| how in the open alr. demand.| On the same day Green found one the police have of the familiar wrapping paper notes the Friends of Pinned to hi! chair in the pergola, money has which read rata To DETECTIVH GREEN comes of the *| and ROBERT FORRESTER the father of You have but ten days to live y is engaged to FRIENDS OF THE POOR. phine Forrester, Robert's sister.| Fovowing the death of the detec jamine F. Green, a detective of gon at the tree, ihe neerenn, one at prestige, is engaged by For-| as arrested on suspicion, but, For- to help run down the biack-| ester learned from the newspapers, 3. are cee vgn dans: a the police had ran-sacked her home pr n the ten thou Humphreys, a y tell Forrester to put the package t en at the tree developed some in tened away from a night vigil by rd a Lane, tells not men tree. y a dered him. the guise of a reporter. information little Bee in live a letter from a troducing her to He attributes tions to the spirit of the husband of snakes ad uarilum a bunch of He remembers that re used in Voodoo worship. Sturtevant, a young lady adbury p! accord- Its the tree at night. Forrester at the tree. Mrs. Fe that write very near her to her much attracted by her. Mrs, Forrester and Josephine moyo to Woodmere, invited home nearby, ¥errester says. Miss Sturtevant is to be a guest. Mrs. Robert presen Not cal, rester ni te be to nan is ot their country place Jasver Lane, on Friday, being to a cCunce at the Prentice turday night, where, waits alone in the town house the door it long after Once a man and later a woman telephone to find out the time For | plans the tree. tives sists that Forrester’s best move would acquie: astonished dor a note in which the “Friends the penalty ovides him with a Miss 1. man. At 10, puts t in r e tre followed 3 then darkness and shots nd O'Connor nd just porter of the Times | his train- 1 turn detective theory {s that make their headquar- luxurious place d to have by the th: rust nDhrey belie O'Connor, who declare 1 them to a west gar: are an ord'nar; wd of “dagor ree will 10:30 Saturday watch. night This is some: Forrester, those of investigations and angles. Green has been sounds, including sighs, the chains and the weird toll- bell, and by a flaming hand bove the tree. ant negro employed as 1e Bradbury place near ‘orrester that it is haunt the manifesta. on but ghosts who the a 1 Jamaica niggah wom- Jc s, had mur. sits Lucy in He obtains but fs astounded to me she gives him Yew York woman, in- Forrester’s mother. orrester is rather surprised riend in New York did not directly. Forrester is thing became blank.” riday night while’ in a search for incriminating. ev!- dence, but without results and Lucy persistently refused to give any in- formation regarding herself. As had been the situation at the time of the reputed murder of her husband, there | was absolutely no evidence against to put the money 1n/ ner, and the police were forced to re-| He tells each 10:30 Satur-| jase her. | rislasa < ree es Nitin ‘in| To Forrester, however, she still held x 5 | her position as a possible, though puzzling, element in the case. Detectives had visited Mar Sturt- evant, cosely questioning everyone in her household. Not a breath of sus: picion was raised against her as a | resuJt of this investigation, which i} Forres % though it still him in his irl. The in impelled him again to call on er Forrester departs for the! } Her apparent coldness toward 10 o'clock, sees her come out, him had worried Forrester, and he Prentice drawing room and| Was great'y relieved when her greet tng was more cordial than ever. “Robert, she said, “I had about come to the conclusion that you had taken my advice and gone aw: You are risking your life every day that you remain here!’ “Mary,” protested Forrester, “your attitude in this matter is inexplicable. a| Won't you confide in me and let me bell rings, but no one is when he goes to the door. Prentice comes to the biackmailers’ Rob his » in After Prentice leaves, to find in in Poor” his a demand $25000 as a ivities, His bank bundle resem: age of curren He turtevant at the Pren- instructec to watch| dent pac! the mises regarding 9 (Saturday night) Robert dummy package in the hole then hides nearby. Sud outs and sounds of a struggle a blinding flash of Ca- ad seized two It then Humphrey h ached o ashlight powder. The help you?” a rae the exe'tement| ‘Some day, Robert,"” she declared, dummy > d'sappeared.| earnestly, “I shall probably be able photograph led to the to explain to you; but please for the est confessed to present, say no more about it.” ds of the, Forrester decided not to risk of- y photograph | fending her by further t upon ling near the tree the| subject which so urgently re een had seen talking to; quested him to drop. At ten o'clock Miss Sturte | and the girl foot of the accom: steps he r to go panied him to the Humphre} t marked a turning. There she held out her hand and as point in the mysterious case of the| he took it, she said, pleadingly | “Pi Robert won't you go away for a little while?” | | Fo ned over and touched | his lip: er hand. Hal PEPPER HEAT. es returned shortly, and jumped into his car. As he drove along Jasper Lane Robert was startled to hear a sharp report behind him. A rear tire had , ‘own out, so he stopped the car and started the job of changing tires. - - | He had nearly completed the task ‘The heat of red peppers takes the’ when he was suddenly zed in “ouch” from a sore, lame back. It strong grip and the same time can hurt you, and it certain!y) something was placed over his face! | ends torture at once "Thor en at a disadvantage When you are suffering so you can/and aware, from the peculiar odor hard! ind, just try Red Pep-| which assailed his nostrils, that his per Rub 1 will have the quick.| opponent was endeavoring to render est_re othing has such/ him unconscious by some sort of gas concent netrating heat as red| or drug, Forrester did not give up hope but fought back courageously * »ply Red Pep-| His arms had been pinioned at his Dé e tingling | aides, however, and he found it im : In warms the| possible to do more than struggle in 5 ot through. Pain | the grasp of his attacker. a e | hen he al heard several ex geist for a of| plosions like pistol shots and eve } | thing ame b'ank bia? had and sta c He was| in bed, but the room was unfamiliar. ‘Oh, Robert,” cried a voice, “are you all right? How do you feel? Speak to me!” Mary Sturtevant was sitting by the bedside. One of his hands was held tightly in both of her “What happened? weakly. “You met. with an accident,” answered. ‘The doctor said we got there just in time. You must not talk about it now, or ask any ques- tion: Shé placed a glass at his lips. “Drink this,” she ordered. Forrester drank a little from the g’ass and then dropped off to sleep. When Robert awoke he saw the big colored man, Joshua, in a chair near the window. he queried, she “Yo’ jes’ He still, Boss. Dem's my" orders," “Hello, Joshua!” said Forrester, and was surprised at the feebleness 9f his voice when he tried to speak. “How did I get here, Joshua?” he inquired. “Ah guess de hants done got you,’ | Bo: Mah Missey an' me done fine | yo’ layin’ in de road in front of dat tree wif a rubber t'ing in yo’ han’.’’ | “A rubber thing?” exclatmed For- er. “What do you mean?” ‘We all done got it downstairs, Boss. <Ah'll get it and show yo’."? Joshua left the He Present'y with a large, circular piece b he placed in Forres- 5 examined it room, 2 hat it was flex- 1 nm form, and con- “Then he dimly heard several explosions, like pistol shots, and every- cave. At the back,a plece of light rubber tubing, about one foot in length, was attached. Forrester placed the rubber over his face and found that its form made it fit like a mask. Later Mary told him the story. “After you left, I was worried, to! returned} Casper Sunvav eporning eribune don't forget that old story about them streens on the rocks.” A few days later Forrester met ‘Mary Sturtevant at a dance. | “You are always late!” she chided. “Five dances are a'ready taken.” “I'll take these three after young Melville,” announced Forrester, and wrote his initials on the card. He held himself in the back-ground until it was time to claim his first dance with her. Then he hunted for her everywhere. She was not to,be | found, and even after the orchestra |had begun to play, she did not appear. He saw nothing further of her until time for his second dance, when he suddenly became aware that she was standing by his side. { “You are like the beautiful young woman that the magician passes through his caibnet,” exclaimed For- rester, “Do I appear and disappear so mys- teriously as all that?” sho laughed, | but offered no apology nor explana-| tion. Just before this dance ended Rob- ert noted a stir near the conservatory doors. Though the doors were closed. | several people were grouped about | them, apparently looking through the! glass at something. They moved! toward the conservatory doors, just | as Mr. Me'ville, Sr., their host, ap-! peared at Forrester’s side, The man's face was pale and drawn. “Forrester,” said Mr. Melville in a low voice, “we have had an accident | in the conservatory. I would apprect-| ate your help. Come around by way of the hall—the doors from this room have been locked.” Mr. Melville turned away toward the hal! and Forrester excused him- self to Mary Sturtevant. He noticed that her face also had paled. “I think I know what has hap. pened,” she said. ‘Please let me go with you { “It might not be agreeable to Mr. | Melville,” objected Forrester. ‘ “Robert,” she whispered, impres. sively, “you are safe only when I am with you! Forrester stared at her in astonish- ment. There Was a besecching look in her eyes, however, which he could not resist “Come,” he said briefly. In the conservatory, hidden from prying eyes among flowering plants lay Mr. Melville's son. Near by stood a doc- tor, The deathly pallor on young Mel-| ville’s face told the story, but <i rester inquired: “Dead?” “Yes," plied the doctor, “As- phyxtated | “This is the work of the ‘Friends of the Poor,’ Forrester,” asserted Mr. Melville, “About two weeks ago I was or- dered by these peop'e to place a cer-| tain sum in that oak tree. I ignored the demand, notified the police and took every precaution to protect my- self. Unable to get at me, these} villlans have reached me through my son’! “When did this happen, Mr. Mel- ville?" asked Forrester. “About a half-hour ago, should say, I saw my son pass into the conserva tory with this young lady,” and Mr. Melville turned toward Mary Sturt- evant. | Forrester a’so turned and looked at the girl. She met his gaze steadily. “Shortly after I came here,” she expla'ned, ‘my next dancing partner entered and Claimed me. I left young Mr. Melville sitting near that open “You ch'ldren need a mother more n’ ’most anything e’se,” she said, “and I'm going to be one to you. I can’t be an artist, but I can raise a family.” t By the time Mem arrived the girls were calling her “Mother.” Sundry young men who drifted in that even- ing were soon calling her ‘Mother. In a week they were kissing her window over there.” think of your recklessness ‘In’ driving around alone at night under the pres-| ent circumstanc she sald. “Sud-) denly, I heard a report like a platol shot, and as I could no longer hear the sound of your engine, I feared t “I called Joshua and we ran along! the road until by the Nghts of your c were struggling in the road. I knew that one of them must be you. I fired several shots from my pistol in the air as Iran. That frightened the man attacking you and he fled. “Joshua carried you oack to the house, and I telephoned for a doctor. The doctor said that an attempt had been made to asphyx!ate you. had teen a minute or two cou'd not have saved you.” My Heavens!” cried Forrester, re- iving a shocking revelation. ‘'The riends of the Poor’! That ts how} their victims have been killed! How did you get that mask of death,| Mar ? later he ou had seized it grip. The doctor it out of your like get could hands. When the; to the away “What a wonderful piece of evi- dence!” exclaimed Forrester. Yes,” admitted the girl, sainst whom will you use it?? urry rest of the apparatus “but day after his adventure For- ster had sufficiently recovered to go home. He sought Green at once. “Narrow escape, Mr. Forrester,” commented Green, as Forrester told his ste “Funny how that Miss Sturtevant happened to be so handy. What about the man who*met Miss Sturtevant at Prentices’ and then hid himself behind the tree and pu'led out your package while the excitement was on—what about them eh? Be tween him and the girl you got two cre points that'll bag the whole rrester @at in silence after this outburst. Green was right! The de- tective had pointed out that Mary Sturtevant knew something definite! about the “Friends of the Poor,” and something had happened to you.| r, and I could see that two men If we! with a death-! handkerchief which had been tor: hardly | Forrester gave no outward indica- tlon of the shock her words gave him. He clearly remembered that after young Melville's dance the next three dances were his. It was during the first of these, the one she now inti- mated be'onged to someone else, that he had missed the girl. He knew, therefore, that she had deliberately led, that she put it squarely up to him to protect her. “Protect her from what?” thought Forrester, ‘What was the frightful new development in the mystery?” Any other facts?" he asked aloud, and received another shock when the doctor handed him a small plece of filmy white fabric. | “I found this beside the body,” said the doctor. ‘Note the pecul'ar odor.’ Forrester lifted the fabric to his nose. Instantly le) recognized the same pungent, drug-tike smell which he had noticed the night he was at- tacked with the death mask. Exam- ining the filmy bit of cloth, Forrester saw that it was a part of a ladys in half. was In one corner the letter embroidered. Crumpling the man fied he had to break the tubing| handkerchief in his hand, Forrester Dp ed ft into his waistcoat pocket. “I believe I can make use of this,"” he said. “The Island of Black Cats” is a name applied to Chatham Island in the Pacific Ocean, about 730 miles west of the coast of Ecuador, It is overrun with black cats; indeed, cats of no other co‘or are seen there, These animals live in the crevices of the lava foundation near the coast, and subsist by catching fish and crabs, in- stead of rats and mice. | How’s Your Stomach Any Weakness or Distress? { RED CLOUD, Nebr.—‘Some time ago I wrote to Dr, Pierco's Invalids' Hotel for his advice in regard to my stomach trouble, which I was sure was neuralgia. I began taking Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery along with the ‘Anuric Tablets’ and feel that I have been greatly bene- fited by their use, I had about @iven up when I wrote Dr. Plerce—now I am feeling fine. I have every faith in Dr. Pierce's medicine."—Mrs. Dora Coleman. If you. need a bul'ding-up torte for yet, blinded by his infatuation, For-| rester had done nothing. “All right, Green,” agreed Forres- ter. “I'll work on your suggestions. | How can we locate that man, how- “If he had a date w!th her onco, he’l! have another,” asserted Green, “Stick around. all ‘That girl'll Tust get en he er and added. tone, “And © the case for you to Forr confidential stomach and blood obtain Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery from your nearest druggist, or write Dr. Plerce, President Invalids’ Hotel in Buffalo, N. ¥., for free medical advice—Adver- isement. 30,000 FIFTY THOUSAND SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1923. 50.000 |. SALES EVERY DAY AT OUR BIG MONTHLY SPECIAL SALES Of Drugs and O-- Azurea Toilet Water. Le Trefle Toilet Water____ Floramye Toilet Water ___________ $1.85 Amolin Powder __ a cate Ayer’s Luxuria Cream, tube__-_-_----$5¢@ Ayer’s Luxuria Cream, jar_ Ayer’s Tissue Cream, tube Ayer’s Tissue Cream, jar_--_---___ $1.35 Ayer’s Face Cream, tube__--_---------§5¢ Ayer’s Face Cream, jar Ayeristocrat Cream, tube____--_-_____ 35¢ Ayeristocrat Cream, jar_____________ 65¢e Adlerika soi ee ce Boncilla Beautifier____ Boncilla Beautifier_____ $1.50 and $1.20 Boncilla Vanishing Cream Boncilla Cold Cream Bathasweet-2_22--- 5s Cuticura Soap, bar — Creme Oil Soap_-----~ Dextri Maltose____ Djer Kiss Cold Cream_______--_____ -45¢ Djer Kiss Vanishing Cream __--_----45¢@ Djer Kiss Toilet Water___________ $1.50 Delatone -____--_ -80¢e Fluff Shampoo _____---_---_-_---_-25¢ Horlick’s Malted Milk__ 50c¢ and 38¢ Horlick’s Malted Milk_-_-$14.00 and 75¢ Horlick’s Malted Milk, Hospital_-__$2.85 Ze Pyroli@lO0isizereme nae eae 69¢c Pyorrhocide Tooth Powder_ -86e Kolynos Tooth Paste______-__-_-_--_-27¢ Accident Tooth Paste___---____ -----40¢ Pebecco Tooth Paste___---_--------_- 40c PEPSODENT TOOTH PASTE, EVERY DAY PRICE___-_- oak. mee Luxor Vanishing Cream__-_ avons Shiauteeseuen a ecco ek Lavoris, medium __ eh Mulsified Cocoanut Oil___-__---_--__35¢@ Milkweed Soap --- Milkweed Cold Cream, small________ 35¢e Milkweed Cold Cream, large_ Mineralava Face Finish_______--_-§1.30 Drug Sundries TEN DAYS --10 OF REAL BARGAINS Beginning Monday, March 12th Mineralava Face Clay. Lemon Cream, 50c jar for.____ Auto'Strop' Blades2i are eyes Gillette Blades, 6s___________. Gem Blades _ ped Bromo Seltzer, 12c size________ Bromo Quinine Laxative____ Bayer’s Aspirin, 1 dozen Castoria Forhan’s Tooth Paste, small____--___25¢@ Forhan’s Tooth Paste, large _________45@ Prophylactic Tooth Brushes_ -37¢ Frostilla Piso’s Cough Remedy__ Mother’s Friend S.S.S_ -89e Williams’ Shaving Cream___________38e@ Melba Bandoline ~___________. -20¢ a eS, Epbeereeee |? -----45¢ Mavis Toilet Water_________________§5@ Mary Garden Toilet Water________$4.40 Nests. 02 0 oS Odorono, small ___ -20e Palmolive Toilet Water______-----__35@ Pompeian Day Cream____-___ -45¢e Pompeian Night Cream____~_____ ---35¢ Pompeian Massage Cream, small_____45@ Pompeian Massage Cream, medium __§0@ Pond’s Vanishing Cream, tube_____--_20@ Pond’s Vanishing Cream, jar_____-___4@5@ Pond’s Cold Cream, small___________95@ Pear’s Unscented Soap______________40@ Palmolive Shampoo ~ Besa Palmolive Talcum ______ peeye eens, | Y Palmolive Soap, 3 for____ Bye ten Resinol Soap, 3 for _______________-_§5@ Stacomb 85c Woodbury’s Cold Cream, tube ---____2)@ Woodbury’s Cold Cream, jar_________ 40e Marinello Lettuce RUBBER GOODS Hot Water-Bottle 2g Ts ---$1.00 Fountain Syringe -~-~------------$1 00 Combination Water Bottle and Syringe -------$1.50 We Still Continue to Sell Camels, Lucky Strike and Chesterfield Cigarettes AT 2 PACKAGES FOR 25c—ONE CARTON AT $1.20 ' At Casper’s Leading Drug Stores |