The evening world. Newspaper, June 7, 1916, Page 17

\ Copyright, the Frank A, afunsey Co, SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, ‘There is bad bicod becween Larry Lanpigan, Young assistant paymaster of the Rocky Moun: division of @. Western railrond. and his euperior, Mason. of “troublesome sroll has been jaaseno, Single handed, Mier denperate fighting Te: wo jom their clutches Larry, jason for his “needles” fight, writes hia resig tion, and: then proceeds to! aquire acco. ith Mason He is determined ty give the fel We sound drubbing Ho attacks tthe payma Win his office ay Argel, He Maron'a lead wirikes i bring lim back to & mon the first freigiit train dead the cars, 4 found Larry eats off the the engiue, Asem He att scent ry that he fia her tmok 1 the door while lier fatier and Supt, Be: ton converse about tie crine, When sc bears mbery I¥ thie to be Kou the telegraph operator at the ‘wation aud uses the Wire Wo gain informa toa, CHAPTER IX. (Continued, The “Key” at Manloops. Ww. T you to do me a favor, Peterson, I want you to get headquarters on the wire and get the full details for me.” “Why, certainly, I will!"—it was a Uttle too eager, a little too sponta. neous—like the quick turn the man made in his chair, reaching out his hand for the key. The cold smile was back in Larry's Bray ¢ “Yes, certainly, evenl, key! Peterson snatched his hand back as though he had touched red-hot tron, He gulped thought you said you wanted—" But Larry broke in sharply: “So I did"—his voice was low menacitg—"but 1 don't want get yourself into trouble. You minute ago that I was in mess. That ought to be enough to make you appreciate that you're tak- ing lorg chances on any double you wi he sald } “but—take your hand off that and you to nid a vad protested Peterson, ner- vously, “I—"" “Don't ile!” cautioned Larry levelly. “You know perfectly well they Wouldn't answer any questions off- hand from you--you were jumping at the chance to “ell them I was her And now let us understand each other thoroughly. If you attempt any tricks, if you send a word you are not told to send, Pl drop you where you sit, And don’t run away with the idea that | aim fool enough to trust you with the key without knowing what you are doing-and L never blurt!" Larry shifted the re- volver to his left hand; and, standing wtp, the fingers of the right closed on the key. "To prove it to you, 1 am going ‘to call headquarters myself. After that, you will do the talking—a man's ‘sending’ is sometimes r nizable, you know, and if | kept at it toe long Forbes down there might tumble to the fact that it was not Peterson on the wire, [ don't say he would, but he might and 1 ing no chances, Are you @ sure, Peterson, that L huve made every- thing perfectly plain to sou Peterson touched his lips with the tip of his tongue. “Yes," he said, “I'll do it help myseif, can 12” Sharp, quick, with a touch dispell- ing any doubts of his mastership of ths key that might be lingering in Paterson's mind, Larry made the ¢ spatcher’s call--and & moment later Angel answered. Larry drew back, and with a jerk of his revolver motioned Peterson to tak- 1 can't Detective Frere is here, and to call Supt. Manley to the ware.” “Manloops, Detective Frere here, Wants Supt. Manley on the wire,” clicked Peterson. The sounder broke with a splatter, Peterson looked up questionngly “You neadn't translate there \ as the flicker of a smile on Larry's lips. “Tell him | say it's non his bust- ness how I came here. his busi- ess to get the super ty the Wire, and be quick about it” “rit tell him you said Peterson, yotipst Ur an expression Vf approach ction rested upon the epe- face, all right," stift!” ceased, "L him as commente didn't Nard as the ¢ you to hand it to as that.” “Ivy the first chance I ever had,” eaid Peterson carnestly, “The big squirt! He thinks because he's down there in a despateher's chair that us fellows up here have to craw! ond Kiss his feet every tine he takes the notion, Say, U've never had a civil word, or a ‘how's Peterson” out of him in a hundred nights that I've been sitting all alone up here-not one! Only a call good and hard it I'm a second late on an O, 8." “All right—if you feel the better with it off your chest,” sald Larry indifferently “But cut out any more of it.” There was silence while the clock on the wall ticked away a minute; then the sounder broke again “Supt. Manley here, What do you want?" Larry leaned his elbow on tho table in a sort of ominous negligence, ag, his revolver covered Peterson, Now go ahead as | dictate,” he or- dered, “Detective Frere says he was on the coast express, Did not know of trouble at Angel until after stop at The Forks for private ear, Learned from Conductor Hines on way up to Manloops that burglary and ossault had been commitied. No details, ex- cept that Lannigan was ac Met Asst. Supt, Felton when he ¢ off here td inspect runaway engine No time to secure further Informa tion, Mr, Felton ordered Detective Frere to remain here, report. pres- ence and obtuin necessary particulars from you, Please furnish sat There wag a sickly smile on Pet fon's lips. “You bie. hut up!" commanded tensely——the sounder was e@gain; the superintendent now, evi- dently, was dictating in turn, “Callboy passing down corridor on way from despatcher's room few min- utes before 7 heard some one moan- {ng in paymaster's office, Door was locked. Roy gave the alarm, door wea broken in and Mason was found im @ semi-conscious condition, Had smooth one,” he mum- Larry clicking The Evening — A ROCKY MOUNTA IN N ROMANCE OF A FIGHTING RAILROAD MAN By FRANK L. PACKARD been terribly battered. Drawers and contents of safe littered about the floor, Over $3,000 gone. Mason, taken to hospital, stated that attack upon him was made by Lannigan, Id not see Lannigan take the money, but prior to the blow that rendered him unconscious the safe ant con- tents had not been disturbed and the money was there, Lannigan eseaped on Extra No. Was Inst seen sy Station agent at ‘The Forks going by station in cab of 403, Is therefore now somewhere between The Forks and Manloops. to the mountains temp attempt io make his way west, Sher- it Laing and deputies on way now, Report to Sherift for orders on ar- rival.” “Ask him how Mason is doing, wiructed Larry. Mason ig We ndent'’s rep! hat’s enough!” said @ curious thinning of his lips. him the O, K. When he spoke it was with appar- ent irrelevancy. “What's the engine number on ex- tro No, 322" he demanded. “Kight-eleven,” replied Aguin Larry was irreley “LP want a piece of rope, ly, “Got any?” ‘s some old beil-cord out in shed,” Pete: volunteered nptly. | “Will that do?” That will do very nicely," said Larry grimly. “Let's go get it. Mov With the revolver muzzle between Peterson's shoulder blades, they made the trip to the shed, and returned to the office with the cord. Larry knot ted a noose in one end. ‘As a railroad man,” he said soft- 1 don’t want to sinash those ins uments and put the wire out of business; and, besides, I want to use them again myself. The only other ourse is to tle you in your ch Put your hands behind your back rarily and will ins was the Super- Larry, with “Give eterson, nt. he said —what? Look Peterson, — growing ou — “Do as you are Larry's y was deadly ¢ now. “I haven't much time left, Put’ your hands behind you!" Peterson obeyed. Larry slipped the noose over the other's wrists, jerked it Ught, shoved the int chair, and a moi with Peterson's arms, legs and body securely lashed, dragged the chair back against the ¢ar wall of the man down room. A whistle eame r sing down the the west. It was extra started, “You mean,” gasped Peterson, “that you're going to make No, 32 as she goes by!” “She doesn't sound very said Larry judicially, listen pproaching roar, * er ones.” He moved to the doorway, “Well, goodby, Peterson, My com- pliments to Sheriff Laing.” — He eintled: 1 the door closed behind him. speedy,” ing to the © hopped fast- CHAPTER } Two at the Same Game. HE headlight of the east ound freight, opening the d of th ck, ple down the streteh in a ne of light, grew bright threw into sharp relief the shape of the 405 on the siding, flooded station and platform with a dazzling brill- jancy—and then darkness, Stygian by contrast, fell again as the bug ten- Wheeler at the head of its string of slewing cars rumbled by Larry, from where he had hidden himself behind the 403, climbed into the cab of the engine for the simple reason that it afforded the maximum amount of comfort obtainable, and stretched himself out on the dgiver's seat. There was nothing to d& now but wait. It would take extra No, approximately fifteen minutes to get past The Forks, were the combina- tion Sheriff's special and fast freight would be wailiag, and another fifteen minutes after that for the latter to reach Manloops~half an hour in all Larry smiled grimly. Sheriff Laing would not be pleased when he reached Manloops and, from the story Peter son would tell, be forced into the be- lief that his quarry had doubled back and was even then already well cast of The Forks! As for the rest, Larry figured that to all intents and purposes he was now free from pursuit. ‘They woul ch extra No. could reach h at the first pc . tind nothing, “i course, and the hunt thereafter would be red-hot from, say, Beaver Dam east to Angel, while west of Man- loops obviously the search would be discontinued, The ast’ plaes they would think of looking for him after they had heard Peterson's story when the fast freight pulled in would be here in Mantloops -therefore he would be here in Mantoops; the last plac they would think of looking for him when th fast freight pulled) out would b hb the fast freigit-—-there- fore he would be on the fast freight It_ was very simple! Larry thing himself back on the driver's seat once more, his mind busy with its problen When he roused imself again it was at t sound the distant mutter of thunder playing through the moun tains, now ow, now distinet, now dy- ing away utterly, He jumped to Nis nd listened. It waa the freight with Sheriff Laing and the posse, Larry's eyes roved speculatively over the line of box cars that were now immediately in front of him, He was playing in luck again! Two cars down the line Was one with its door wide open, and he wou nl ave to spring inside as the train pulled out again, His means of escape assured, Larry turned is head ia th Hirection toward the station -and listened he Sheriff's posse had left the car, and he could hear the seuffle of their fee and the sound of their voices from the plattorm—and then a sudden yell. Tt was Peterson, tind and bawling for help Larry began to crawl fore tious ye It was a dozen yards to the stdin then across the siding rails ty the door of the car on the main line ard cau- aps halt A yard, two yards he made—and then he lay suddeniy still and mo tionless, his eyes riveted in a sort of nuinbed fascination on the closed oor of the car that was next ahead of the’ one with the open door, Was he dreeming’ Was it the Movphelt playug tacks upea him Presume he has taken | Can You Beat It? | OLD GUARD | HEADQUARTERS just a shadow creeping there, and darker, oa the side of th box car! And now ther darker The freight crossed the trestle, and, empty as it jolted over the Passnock siding switch beyond, beginning to pick up speed again, Larry, standing in the came a stight sound, a creaking, very faintly, very low, doorway of the car, with hae Tense, strained, Larry lay there. It exclamation quickly drew back out Was neither dream nor imagination, sight, Passnock, for once plasuaed The car door was being stealthily more than his mental enumeration opened from the inside! Wider grew the opening, still a little wider~and tyen a face peered out from the aper- e—and the dark of the car's inte- us like 4 sinister and congruous: had credited it with. Lighted win- dows had flashed suddenly out at him from the siding—it was the pri- vate car. He approached the doorway once Ave for the brutal, scowling fea- more to gaze back after it—and for tures that the moonlight disclosed, the second time retreated hastily. It wastglasseno! What was that! A dark form ap- peared and suddenly as from no- where on the track side-and van- ished. Then another, and still an- other. He counted the three before, tn a fash, the explanation came to Aim and edging quickly forward Larry did once more, he crouched close against CHAPTER XI. Fellow Passengers. OR perhaps a minute, prone on the ground, fj] not move. Other faces, the side of the car, and cautiously f which he recognized as looked out. Yes, it’ was as he oad members of the gang, SUfmised—it way Massono and the ! men in the car ahead jumping to the peered out over Musseno's shoulders. ground, LHe counted the rest of them And then the long freight began to noW-four more—seven in all Jerk into motion, the door was closed, Unsceing, Larry stared out into the wie! ai : darkness. ‘It was not only the mere steulthily as it had been opened, joing of the private car—there was the car rolled by—and Larry, crawl- the girl! ing swiftly across the intervening And then Larry leaped, space, eprang to hls feet, Sune tune Where there had been allonce, 1t was a as though pandemonium were sudden self in through the open door that Iy loosed in all directions. Masseno was his goal and the next instant had been crafter than iy had given Wits crouched far back in the black- the man credit for, Came a crash of ness of the car behind the one that shattered glass and a wild yell from held Masseno, » direction of the private car; then A minute more pass@. The train a shout from the operator, as, in w& began to gain a litte momentum; a glance that lasted but the fraction of light filtered suddenly in through the @ second, Larry saw tho station door side doors, laying a curious white, burst in, and the operator, springing flickering path across the centre of to his feet, grapple with tho intruder; the car; there Was a riot of voices While, coincident with it ail, he rising to a sort.of cumulative height Whirled to meet a quick rush upon from the platform that as abruptly himself from behind that was more died away—and the car was past the Sensed than heard. station, A form leaped at him, there was Lau'ry slirugged bis shoulders, dim- the sheen of a knife biado in the mussed Massena from his thoughts Moonlight, a downward thrust that and stretched himself aut as comfort. 2 instinctively avotded by springing ‘as possible on the car floor, He t© one side—and he was locked in a jeep. But almost ine 40@th grip with hia assailant, Around stanly } ned him, he was #20 @round they swayed, A ewarthy aroused agale by the tr slowing face, black, glittering eyes, snarling down and a moment later thoroughly [PSs were before bim- and, alternating awakened by a ioud, hollow rumble thls, ax he kept swinging about, he that echoed up from beneath thy Causht views of the operator in a lke wheel trucks. struggle through the st: on window. Me fot up and went to the ear Aa he fought, flerce yeils trom the Dace enabled him to CAF still split the air, Ho caught an- surroundings, and witn other glimpse through the station win- Se ud n ee ane tesa dow—the operator, freed somehow that h have sept, and slept [fom hia opponent, was working fran- e must have slept, and slept tically at the key. ‘Tho knife blade soundly, for well over half an hour, 1 pa ) } Mar down below, deep in the moon. Seamed again in the moonlight -the lick valle wine Man had wrenched his arm loose A Ha eae io ering treawe, queer, low grunt escaped Larry's lips through it hke a shimmering thread, A gary pain shot through. hia. sl beeen enormously wide But now, their hold on each other 0 kK, painted bands with ther thick broken, Larry's own area awunk \lebte timber and follage rising abruptly to ping adic ia Mio eens the height of the plateau level om crashing down on the othe dfor, where recognize his cither side, ‘They were on the greac and, aa th Passnock steel trestle, nearly three- umphant none Bemeriiet vou quarters of a mile in length, that wae car, the man dropped like a log to the ranked one of the finest engineering ground. ‘ Wate triumphs of the Rockies Wonderful in its scenery perhaps, but, save for a few ranchers and set- s here and the a Wild and de- CHAPTER Xil, The Fight In the Private Car. ed country this! Brom Beaver Saat Dam si cht through to Thunder ITHOUT a glances at tha M ain there was practically no other Larry turned and s.cn of human habitation except for ran for the car, He was the small and lonely stations strewn J barely consct } narely consctous that there along the right of way, and whose NDA SRDAR OMA BAK then existence even was due solely to the as & hot, trickling sen operating exigencies of the railmad, #ation down his side, ‘There were In «4 montent now, as soon as they five of them in the car, ha t¢ were across the trestle, they would himself, He had accounted for come to another of these stations, oo. ey e : neural identical in every. reapeot with its OMe, tho operator, evidently isolated fellows, Fauasnock had a another, His brain was working in siding, a station, an operator—that curious flashes Those yells were was all . hodlably ulumpbant But they were World Daily Magazine, Wednesday, June 7 Vorid.) HEADQUARTERS still fighting, Strange, quick-moving shadows showed from the lighted car windows, thrown, as it were, upon the track side as upon a sereen, nt platform, door and on He sprang onto the fr rushed In through the down the corridos i seream tn @ wornal’s volce voiut Inside the as he pussed it, the negro you ning on the floo he living-room compartment of the showed before him in the abrupt turn of the corridor, He paused for the fract of a second as his eyes pwept the se » that confronted hit and then the great towering bull of the man hurled itself forward, and the butt of his automatic crashed again Upon a man's skull, and the man—it was Masseno—fell at the girl's fect where he had been holding her, strui ely, against the sid of the known in flashes since Upon Larry now, an madman and with the strength of ene! About, all was like a panorama of some wild orgy-—chairs were broken and rled In every direction; and the compartm it was filled with fighting, sharlwg, little groups of men. ‘The Russian was down, a man on top of bin and at his throat; the remaining negro Was struggling from behind i barricade of chairs; and Felton, blood streaming from his face, was’ being beaten to his knees by the other two members of the Kank piled Lio he was It had been barely half a minute no more, since Larry had burst into the compartment, and now with a spring he reached the assistant su. perintendent’s side, and tearing the two assailants eway, hurled them backwards with terrifle force {nto the centre of the car, ‘There was a yell of mingled surprise and terror from all four of the gang. ‘The one on the fiyor over the Russian leaped frantically to his fect and retreated to join his two comrades, as did the one attacking the negro. But now Larry was "seeing red,” and he rushed upon the four, his lett fist smashing in and out in conso- nance with the swinging, murderous blows from the clubbed pistol in. his right hand. For a momont they held thelr ground; and then, their leader gone, and before a fury that was re- sistless, and the onrush of Felton and the Russian to join the fray, they broke and ran for the corridor, Larry plunged after them a step, two; then, 4 strange, sudden dizzl- ness seizing him, be stumbled and fell. As he picked himself up un- steadily, he heard the four jump from the car and their footsteps race away on the roadbed A tense silence held for a moment the car, Mera Welenoff had dropped Into a chair toward tho lower nd of the compartment and away rom where Massene Jay upon the floor, and, white-faced, was staring t Larry in @ strained, incredulous wondering wa Felton stood as though stunned, also etaring at Larry Only the Hussian offfeiu moved; he ran to bis daughter, stooped for an instant over her, and then faced Larry “Tr bave to thank you, sir," be gasped out, “for wh “It's Lannigan— Larry Lannigan it came as though involuntarily, in heavy amazement from the assistant superintendent's lips Unnoticed by any one, Massen still cunningly feigning usconacious ness, had succeeded in wainine a yard nward the rear door of tne com partment from the roof of w he ad fallen, and now evils * preparing Wo make « duh for livers for ly nd ©, With a& fur man, and gripping him by the collar, yanked him to bis fe a knife from the other's Masseno’ before was turning himself very slow- utously on his sh sivick of te: #irprise had died away, hi man into the empty stat once before that night he bimself bad occupied. Larry Welton spoke ! ply, Lant A plan wa mind. tu on No, 67. 1 men jump out off myself.” Felton's brow edly. rom NerOss a Polenot? chair, and in her caught his, he of ‘dawning Would a slow, away on No, every one cast of Beaver threw away thos: our assistance that, and I have no cho over to Sheriff Laing when he gets Hut what you've done ought to atand you tn good stead, and I'll speak T can't let you go, here, for you at Angel. of course, and" -— down p was a sudden You sit ean his up and eovered the tendent. “Tha bur do tt qutek!" an astounded Larry's held a head on there, Thurston” words, as with vertence he threw {t were, face up. them “V'll trouble you for the key of that section shanty there, borrow wos vary whit ering etrangels thing In hor fa derstand, the wonder hair then, and ran hack reached the platforr running up the track for the si CHAPTER XU, An Ally. ground and, toward belton straightened only fifteen minutes with « curious min, of severity and unc “How did you scum germinating in Larry's Ha answered mes “Twas riding in an empty saw Massen ear ahead of mine after we had passed the private T was afraid they were up hing of tis Kind, and jumped the plan do? 'Thore was or but he would have seemed the only “As L understand it, perturbed safe enough and way, ty sure believe weapon our han’ He glanced swiftly, Thurston, at the Rusatan offictat and the negro in turn girl, who was standing up now, who whose lips ware quiv There e that he did not ur something that linger for a second’s space to drink In the sheen of her the grace of the tense na atood there, without another word, the of her up. furrowed rise . fixed startled comprehenston glanced away from her again at once. formulated thing against it » risk that, for tt you that rl pistol assistant superin= all you have to do-— And then, Felton around and Thurston's head » was clipping off well simulated down his hand, as meantngely and lastly at ectly a somewhere pin, chances to come to I'm sorry it's pretty rough to turn on you after but I'm an offietal of the road, e but to hand you 1916 “{ think"=her head was though her lps were thine your fseatiment ct thet aaa wits abominable!” she burst out. “And cowardly, Mr. Felton!" “Mera!” protested Mr. Pelenoft hur- | riedly She turned toward hor fathor with flushed cheeks, Yes, I do!” she ried. “And I | thought that at least you, a Russian gentleman, would have | interfered. You thanked him warmly enough “But Mera,” he began, "you" “do not think that Miss Polenoft quite understands," interposed Fel- ton, @ little embarassed, as he rose from his chair, There is a warrant out for the man’s arrest, he iv « thief, ho nearly murdered our paymaster, and he rob- bed the road to-night of a large sum of money.” “So Lhe this evenin high, quivering: d_ you say a little earlier * “Mera returned curtly. Well, 1 don’t believe it!" ‘Come, come, Mera!” he said sooth- ingly. “After all, the man has escaped again, so there is no need to" — sca she whirled toward her fathe yh, yes, he has escaped when a trainioad of detectives will here in ten minutes that you will set Like bloodhounds on his track again | by telling them he has just run away jon a hand ear, which they can cateh easily with their engine before he has no perhaps a mile, L think It is hor rible and inhuman to hound a man | whi she stopped abruptly; and as labruptiy, with a low, sharp cry, leaned forward Felton turned quickly at the sound “What is It, Mera Mr. Pelenoft was staring at her in anxious amaze- ment It was Sam, the negro porter, who had edged forward curtously, who an- nd. oh de Lord's ake!" he ga ped Dat's—dat's blood!" Yes!" Mera cried tensely. “It's and it's his blood.” She was to a dark spot on the earpet trance ‘to the corridor where been standing, “He haw on wounded in saving us! And he js out there alone now! You are not going to let him go like that, are you? You—father! Mr, Felton! hin ie certainly a cruelly embar- rassing position,” said Felton, “But he's gone now, and I don’t see what at the rry had we can do” "1 you will permit me, then,” ahe said monotonously, “Ll will retire.’ She moved past her father and Fel- ton. “Sam,” she called over her shoulder, “come and prepare my stateroom for the night.” Followed by the porter, she walked quickly along th ridor, threw open the door of her stateroom and entered, motioning Sam to close it behind them, Something told her it was because he knew that she, a woman in pertl, wos there, that had prompted = hin to throw his own chances of liberty away, “Sam, and take the sheet off my bed tear some of It fnto narrow strips!” she commanded quickly. “And see that you don't make any more noise about it than is neces- approached the hed, A sheet, hesitated, tore it a Httl chuekled suddenly and ripped the strip completely across, took off Mera, from her knees on the floor, where she 1 been ransacking @ dress sult case, rose to her feet with small silver pocket flask in her ha 4, she sald torsely going. Hurry up! You the front end of the anybody seeing you Sam refused tog Kor an instant Mera was too en- raged to speak-then she snatched tl strips of sheeting trom Sam's hands and wrapped them around the flank “Then Tl nounced cloak thre “You ara can Kel off ear without with her, ko myself!" she an- angrily, and taking up a y it about her shoulders, CHAPTER XIV. The Flight by Hand-Car, BANWHILE, as Larry ran from the car, he kept glane- ing wartly about him. That was tho risk he was forced to accept—he had no fear that Felton would attempt to follow him, but there were four of Masseno's gang somowhere about, and certainly not far away. He stopped running, changing his pece to a walk. He was growing Weak, and flashes of dizziness kept coming over bin again, Jt was bis side, Wh the man who had Jumped on him cut here in the darkness had stabbed bim, His thoughts grew @ little disconnectyd aa he forced his way along. He had only to keep up for « lithe while longer. He had meant Felton to know that he bad taken the hand-car; but he would hot Ko Vary far wath it, and anyway it Was down grade for quite a dis- tance west of Passnock. It was only to throw the Sherif{t off his tracn again Gnd gain ume. The plan could not fall, After that he would have & chance to rest. His step grew slower, begun to lag, and fnally he was obliged to stop and ait down on the grou His head was whirling Hke a top. Ho wasn't going to be caught like this, was he— Without even @ chance to make a fight tor it? It was che blood he was losing that was making him weak If he stop the bleeding in his side ddo better, Why hadn't hy tried to do that before? “He tore his shirt open, rolled his handkerehiet into # ball and buckled it tyatly over the wound with his bel Ho was stumbling as he reached the shanty, but success within bis grasp now buoyed him up. ‘The or (hing he had feared had hot come co pass there had been ni of any of the remaining the gang. He eked foors, swung mn open he hand-car eh t now! He bad only to heey up for dust o ct Ne ER te Se ae DASH, DARING, WIT AND GENIUS Were possessed by FRANCOIS VILLON, the beloved vagabond poet of France, All his lova- ble brilliant qualities are brought out vividly in THE GLORIOUS RASCAL By JUSTIN HUNTLY M’CARTHY NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD You will be thrilled by the flashing of sword and color in this fascinating story of ROMANCE AND AD VENTURE little longer, and--with the hand-ca: Thaif on the main line tracks, he swung sbarply around, Was that @ step he heard behind him! He snatched his automatic pistol from his pocket—only to let his hand fall impotently to his side, form, & loose wrap flying from her shoulders, was running toward him, and he heard Mera Pelenoff's voice calling his name over and over again. “See!” she eried, “I have brought you brandy ang—-and—something that , will serve for bandages, And now you must let me see what I cando, [am really very clever at it*—she laughed a little anxiously—"l took ‘frst ald’ lessons at school, you know.” “Why have you come here rT asked, dully “Do you think that L would let you go without trying to help you when I found out that you were wounded?” she exclaimed passionately, “I saw the blood on the floor where you had been standing after you had gone.” And then, very simply, laying her strips of sheeting and the flask of brandy on the handear: “And I think I know why you jumped off that train after those men; and what- ever else you may be, Larry Lanni- gan, you are a brave man, and Lowe you my life.” “You should not have come,” he paid. “They should not have let you come; four of those men are still about here somewhere.” hey did not let me come,” she answered quickly, “I went to my stateroom—for these things. They think Iam still there and"——— Her words ended in a little gasp of dis- may From eastward down the line came the hoarse scream of an engine whis- tle. And as peak after peak answered it, tossing the echoes from one to other through the mountains, she caught hurriedly at his arm. We-wo haven't much time, have ov'—she tried to speak lghtly. That is the train that is bringing the—-the Sheriff, isn't It? See! I will be very quick, Let me"—— “tT am not badly hurt"--Larrys steadied his voice. Not much time, she had said—there wasn't any time now, for he could not go until he was satisfied that she was safely back at the car, and that would take the few remaining moments befor the special arrived. “Tt is only serateh, he lied earnestly. "Th brandy will be all T need. You mustn't give it another thought. I am really oll right.” He was speaking ravidly now, but his volce was beginning to choke tn spite of himself. If only somehow before she went he could make her know What this act of bers had meant to him. “You must get back to the cur at once. II shall al- ways remember this—always. And you"~-= His votce rose suddenly in a“ hard, bitter cry. “My God —too late! It is what | was afraid of! From barely twenty yards away @ dark form sprang from ‘the bushes on to the track, another, and another and a fourth, ‘They too had heard the whistle, these men who were rushing toward him, drunk with the fear of what they had done, mad with desper- ation—-and they were between the girl and the private car, cutting off any possibility of escape. Ho turned, wrenched at the hand- car, lifting tt the balance of the way onto the rails, swung again to face the four—and fired, The report was ed by a scream, a form twisted as though wriggling on a pivot—and dropped et on! Get on the car!" he shout- ed at Mera He fired a second shot, and a third -only his hand seemed borne down by the weight of the weapon, and he missed both shots. He was conscious that she had obeyed him quickly, coolly, full of aelf-possession. The handle!” he cried out again. Pump it up and down—hard—with all your strength!" And, his own back against the hand-car, he began to ush at it, starting {t Into motion, while he still faced the remaining three as they leaped toward him. “Larry—quick!"—her voice rang clear and steady above his hea “Jump on before you fall! The car {i gong Itself now. Quick—give me your pistol—T'll help you He felt her reach down and her fingers close on his hand. Then from over his head came a vicious spurt of flame, the bark of the report—and then she was tugeing despera! at his collar as he heaved his backward and upward and, legs dangling, sprawled across the edge of the handear platform, CHAPTER XV. Two ina Dilemma, AKE a little more. That's 4 right! ‘There—you are better now, aren't you?" The words seemed to come stealing upon «his senses as though he were in a dream. Then something hot and burning trickled down his throat, and stirred the blood tn his vetns into warmth and action. Larry opened his eyes. Mera Pele- noff's face, very pale in the moon- light, @ little drawn, a little haggard, was smiling bravely into his, It brought him buck in @ flash to the moment when he had lost conscious- hess—to her peril, He was still on the hundear! There were no siding switch Nights, ation, no private ear “Where are we?" he asked, She her head, be 4 ow," she answered, “ex- cept that we are a very long way from Passpock. ning ne car kept run down the grade"-she laughed a little tremulously-"and—and | could not stop it. You see, [ couldn't give all my attention to the brake, or else, sir, you would have fallen off, T I don't think that L ever went @o fast in my Hfe before, We stoppea a fow yards back of this, but T heard the noise of the water and I pumped car the rest of the way to the » of this litte bridge here.” To Be Continued) i : oe