The evening world. Newspaper, June 10, 1916, Page 11

{iiss 4, dangerous ride "with im possessed her, begged her to pause and rest, assur- fac there was no further danger, put she would not listen to A ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE OF A FIGHTING By FRANK ned to aire A ‘strikes an iron. al Dim back to consciousness, first freight train, At Be ‘who is w: dead of Allee. abe ornfull, to later overpower, the telegraph. operatur the ‘station and uses the wire to gain, informe, don, He learns that Mason is not di about to leap the next telah tal “on Manseng ani Heviciiows” Pere a contijt, the fea 1 Lar wounded. " Mera helps De Sn a Aichdtar “dreasce bin ewound, farry's old friend, Ben Wileo1 mg the road ti drives off with the © a wagon, indent akon, and ts te the Sheriff Wilson era ith ormmasy han iin" Sve gets Lary out of the house lit Peaches (ty and. with big ras Teta her sntention toh o eruich in to leave CHAPTER XXII. The Way Out. 11H shouts from the hou | grew fainter, country. tention to direction now; she could—that was Several ing her that him, “If we get back before father, there will ba no one in the car but Sam, few moments ago, for Johnson, the cook, was going out, * 1 know—and I can send Sam on an errand of some sort while you get on board and hide there.” Larry stopped short in his walk. bn In bewilder “Of cour amazement, But, come on—don' waste any time, It's bad enough jus to walk"—she pulled hie again, “What did you think we wer wing to the car for?” “To sce that you got back ther wafely—what else?” “You must come with me; you'v only chance! “Yes, perhaps—but not You—you've done enous words came from him in a ate outburst, as though ion, ax thot suddeniy over Iming his self-restraint. “Goo d, I ean‘t let you do any more! that way Thi low, pas: met” vugh, fh ly, He help or Some one Was coming down the trac ter chance go there.” hurriedly. CHAPTER XXIN. The Tables Turned. No one know of the car that evening p sounded on the car pla 4 tho bell rang. cked on the door, ad," she sa “Vil be in after and opened her door the fraction hac are jown the moun. ra i¢ irritated Mr. Pelenoff, for Mera do- ase ith night. to They crosse@ the road somewhere an@ plunged again into the open She paid no at- was glad to resign that Into Larry's hands, So that they ran fast, as fast as they the one {dea that times he get on the car!" he ejaculated forward Rot to get away from Angel, it’s your without won't let you take any more risk for She laughed a lttle—and, strangely > the embankment. hat she had been out answered, st RAILROAD MAN L. PACKARD an Inch, placing her ear to the aper- ture, The outer door of the car was tried several times ineffectually, and then the bell was rung, Sam an- swered very promptly, She heard Felton’s voles, Is Mr. Pelenoff in the es, suh! Yes, suh, Sam replied, “We'd like to see him—Sheriff Laing here, and myself.” “Yes, suh. I'se confident he'll eee yo’, Mistah Felton. Dis way, gen’ men Mera closed the door, The foot- steps of the three passed by. She opened her door once more, and then she heard Felton speaking again. —I am afraid we are on rather an unpleasant errand, Mr. Pelenoff,” he said hesitantly. herif! Laing here feela that it is his duty to search this car. He has reason to believe that Lannigan is her Her father spoke sharply. ou may go, Sam—no, wait! I sbail want to question you. Well, sir” —he had evidently turned to the Bhorift. must say that this is at ttle surprising. You say you have a valid reason for believing that Lannigan ‘s hidden in’ this car?” “IT wouldn't be here if I hadn't,” the Sheriff returned bluntly. The brusqueness of the reply hud , Bam?” tah Kel- tected a softness now in her father's voice that was an ominous sign of storm to those who knew him. “When do you believe Lannigan came here?” “Some time this evening.” “Then it must have been after dinner,” decided Mr. Pelenoff quietly, for he certainly was not here when IL left at 8 o'clock, Sam, has any one entered this car since I have been away? “Were both doors locked?” “Yes, sub,” “Perhaps you might care to jues- tion him, Sheriff,” sugg tea” Mr. Pelenoff coldly. “I'm going to! I want to know where Miss Pelenoff has been all evening?” iss Pelenuf, suh, has done been right heah"—Sam's tone of dignified rebuke brought a smile to Mera's . “Miss Pelenuf, sub, done went to her stateroom right after dinnah, an’ dat's where she am now.” “I can substantiate that," said h father. “My daughter is in her Tens Tetiring now. I spoke to her only a I should think this me be amply sufficient, Mr. Sher- » to convince you. that there - body here.” Pgeidload Fe Felton broke in pacifically, I guess it must be a mistake, Laing, Pee hos | t “I didn’t expect Mr. Pelenoff to { Know there was anybody her iff Laing interrupted shortly, “and I ¢ didn’t imagine that Lannigan would take the whole town into his confi- .¢ dence when he got aboard. What that porter of yours says is one thing ¢ ~lannigan being here is another, I came down here to search the car. I 1 SAW THIS PHOTO! PLAY BEFORE am HE IS SAYING rood Bye TONIS TS romney Away 16 ING A FREIGHT YARD “To PLAY GOLF HE IS MAD. HE HAS To GO BACK HOHE T ICTET A PIPE CLEANER HIS PIPE WON'T iit qe Now TOUCHING | ISN'T HE tovery Mun St 1 FEEL So Sorey For. HIN HE HAS Sucw 4 Nice Face You WHAT THIS 1S, IT'S THE {REY OF THE PLAY HE'S SH PN ar AN a THE Ny, IS HOLDING wis WIFE'S HAND COWBOYS ALWAYS Oo THAT Te AND Now ECA THE Doctor. BEING DEAD HE WON'T BE ABLE To CHARGE “THEM FOR THE mmm (llaattnt th a hi de be nil 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 ADVENTURE Don'r Tee 3 ME ~ HE SERN OTE EET ad books cee ARR AORN R A 3 A VILLAIN hands flew to a throat hold on the 1 guess,” he said slowly, "1 don't sheriff. Th: only sound was a half know which was the stronger motive choked, etartiod gasp from Pelton, with him the mone ol e With the wonder of her upon him, me for the way ft ud "det, handled A strange smile came to Larry's Ups him. He saw his cha y ca for both, one dovetail into the other and—well, he took it. He She had no revolver, no weapon of any wort wave onl her own cool, daring resourcefulne And sho had knew, of course that wh ° used that—and sacrificed herself! the alarm he mustn't nave the money A strangled, gurgling sound came on his person and that he couldn't from the form beneath him. It carry it away with him then, and brought him with a shock to his so he hid it temporarily under that senses, What was ho doing? He did loose board in the floor. There not mean to kill the man, He with- wouldn't ba any search made tn the drew one hand, pulled hia automatic 1 naturally~aince Twas mip from his pocket and pressed it against posed to have taken the money. Ha the sheriff's head, wasn’t running any risks that way. What she said to Felton goes with But it must have been about all he you—understand? He was feel- could do, for he was badly hurt, all ing ftly through the other's pock= right, and it was about three-quar ote, Now, get up!" he commanded, tera of an hour from the time I left as he possessed himself of the him until he pretended to regain sheriff's revolver, “Move over toward consciousness the first time and that wall beside the others! moaned for bh : | The man stood up with @ snari—— Mr. E Jand hesitated, HY 6 Larry push muzzi p not nodded. that part of ft {s quite plain,” “But you? Your being at * to-night—and Mason com ing there, too?" him forward with the he sald of his revolver, judging hia dt- the off | rection as best he could tn the dark- |ness, He dared not use his flashlight Mera. turned to show her unarmed to ton, He father to Larry. dared not use it until—ah, he could «yey! she exclaimed. “{* don’t make out her form now, He reached now either why you went there out and touched her, and quickly yoy wouldn't tell me to-night, But { Pressed Sheriff Laing’a revolver into was sure it was for something more her hand. And then his flashiight than just your own things, that you Played over the scene, rave as an excuse, Did you suspect Rack up against the wal—both of Mason all the tine?” you!” he ordered grimly. That's” Larry shook his head thought right—only @ little closer together— ha eOtiall thectiinws f eried Eo acs A pees Fe prods | that I can out how it could have ber The of light covered both men quickly from her to figur possible for Mason to do it—and dis- . 4 covered that it wouldn't have been now ‘as they stood against the wall. jinpossible. if Mason was the man, Felton’s face was palo with mortifi- hy had hidden the money in the cation and confusion; Sheriff Laine’s oitice, for 1 knew had been taken was livid with rage—the muscles around his lips were twitching vio~ 7 clothes had been removed by others, lently, and he shook his fist furiously wo that he couldn't possibly have had at mors Pelenoff as she stood beatde go Jarge and bulky an amount on his to the hospital, where of course his Mon Car he choked POrson without It having been dis in frenzy, clawing with his. other aa Wiunitea tie caorey jhand at his bruised throat. “So ¢ was still in the office, I went there to-night—to s Again Mr. Pelenoff nodded, ne in the car, was “Hold y tonsrue —there was a “ . d x LIKE He touched Mera’s arm agai WH jout, "Blason told us why himself in A HAPPY find some heavy cond in the right the. office there a Sl iff, Laing ENDING Rae Bottom are wer Aa aver put his handeufts on bim, and while he kept begging the Sheriff to keep you get it, please? We'll make thean r rey si; gentlemen comfortable for the nient, Mt Lannigan as from him. Ths Inmof an eye, threw his arm forward, MM. Wilson's house the news begat to get around that Larry Lannigac was back and hiding in Angel. Some » went and told Mason. There was pushing his the sheriff's Iver mfzzle against “Quick!” he flung don't want any unpleasantness about ; this if it can be helped, but I'm going door as she and her father emerged ¢ to make the search before I leave.” into the living room compartment, tot takestttoher tathap oi . Where Felton, who of necessity had ing very slowly, with cool deliberation Overheard all'that had been said and - —"that on account of my daughter's Who was evidently very ill at ease d previous refusal to answer your ques- NOW, greeted her awkwardly, She I tions you mean to imply that Lanni- Smuled icily in return, wan is here now with her connis , She looked up. Sheriff Laing wat eee ack in the compartment. No one “Well, if you want it without any Soke. She was enjoying his discom- frills on it--yes!" the Sheriff an- swered uncompromisingly, “That's k exactly what Ido mean. And I'll tell dad!” she exclaimed, “You fitu go there—at least not yet to the full, Mr. Pelenoff broke the silence. “Well, sir." he said harshly, ad- toward n--running fast. And then you right now, Mr. Pelenoff, that ressing the sheriff, “are you fully A voice mmaso's—called out to you"——— atisfled now?" them It is unnecessary to tell me ans ‘Oh, I guess he wasn't there,” ad= “You must keep away from the ear” thing, Mr, Laing,” her father inter- mitted the sheriff sullenly. “And I the boy called breathlessly lupted frigidly, "Sam—bring the keys 6Ues# we'll be moving along. Come “What ig it? What is the matter, of every stateroom and cupboard in ©M, Felton!" ‘Tomn It was Larry Who the car and give them to Sheriff “Just a minute!” Mr, Pelenoff's fin- spoke, Laing.” gers twirled with an ominous calm at The boy was beside them now. ‘Mera closed her door again, snapped bis watch chain, have a word or “It's the Sheriff! he panted out ity catch—and stood waiting, Some. tWo to say before"—— ‘wildly, "It's the Sheriff and Mr. Fel- pody ran to the door at her end of Felton interposed anxiously, they're coming to search th® the car--Felton, probably, to stand ‘Mr. Pelenoff,” he said hurriedly, cart” on guard while the Sheriff worked “I sincerely hope that you will ove “He wonld not dare!” It was what through from the other end. Then look this—this unpleasantne: lve sho had wald before—it was all she doors began to open and shut; voices @!" could say now. : reached her in a muifled way, the "Mr, Felton"—the tte Russian cut “But he will! He will!" cried words indistinguishable, whilo always the other off short-—"not a little of grommaso excitedly, “Theard him S¥ she could hear the men moving about. What I had to say concerns you, You so, and—then ft ran_all the way.’ After a long time, they passed by in have, as it were, been a part of my ) Mera turned to Larry, “Dont You tne corridor outside her door, and she family here; been received in ail jee! It's tho best thing for us that PO hoard her father say? } frankness and friendliness by both my could do, to search it now ~when you “omar is my daughter's stateroom.” daughter and myself. I had hardly re not you hide Mora smiled jently—she knew expected that you would be a party, omowhere until it's over, and genie paing well enough to he quite even passively, to What has just taken ea—after that allow time tor eves contident that her opportunity was place. You wil appreciate, of course, dy on yore ity Ls i neee ba © coming. that when I reaume my rip Tahal be back at midnight NAVE CVOTS > OO ere Ww. ock at her oMlmed to ask the railroad to delerate Rhing arranged—and Tl be waiting gugn on was @ sharp kuock at her oot other official (o acc mipany me," Hor you. Only, Where will you hide G0o% Sein aa ” Felton flushed to the roots of his in the mean time—back there by the | _\ Mera, may I come in her father | iP nealtated, and then drew himecit She sat up on the bed, instantly Up a little stuffly. ary shook hla head. busy with her hair, as her hands “tam very sorry, Mr. Pelenoff," he “No,” he sald. vif Foiton’a the ona oie 14 the coiled masses upon her said quietly, “very sorry indeed for Pwho has been using the office over jog this. But if you take that attitude there, and he's coming down here “ivi, come! there js of course nothing more to be ith Laing now, T'll never get a bet- father stepped in. sald, I'—he bowed formally—"I have some work still to do at the office tn Mera hesitated a moment ; ‘get! What is the matter? And connection with the payroll that must “There's the rive of getting in nnd tek tine ee people who have be attended to to-night, and no, If you out.” she objected, “And the offc@ peony running around the cai will permit ame, Twill" j will be locked i iene NS “taked ‘gravely, ‘thas Office! She stretched out a hand, “Eve still got the key," he Ane yinnigan been in this car since that Frasping at the back of a chair for ") night ont there In the mountains?” support, The office—-they were going “Well, all right then," she agreed MEN et inde dropped from her there--now! No, no, they must not She must hair, which, incidentally, sbe had ret, he taken pains’ in no wise to disturb, do something. But w hat? Felton “No-—not to my knowledge? Why?" walking toward the door. sheriff Laing and Mr, Felton are You will sternly. not said Mr. t+ Savage laughter was in Mera's heart again But she must not let the sit- go too far-now ra caught his sining! ne away yin there if he wants to! to But, Mera!" Mr, Pelenoft having n re= t him ee you've got stand unequivocally, had no tucked away.” n of rebuqulshing It “But, Perhaps ten minutes passed—and you" then, as she caught the sound of foot- , let him go in!" eho repeated steps again on t utform, she Jumped up, ran ac teroom — Over her shoulder she saw the of Sheriff strido toward the stateroom smiling, Pelenoft yp youhad of me be Was your duty. No--wait! She knew she was that her volee was softly here, and seem to have reason for A: RAIS she climbed thinking Rg deine modulated, that somehow, 28 though ERA’S caution as she climbed thinking otherwise,” sald Mr, Pele; tur prayer were anawered, her emo- © car platform and noff frowning, ey have looked ft" Prayer masked. "Mr. elton Ieasly opened the door gave through the ear, and the Sheriff now Tietyt go. like that, father. And way to a sudden sense Ott oo eee otow! neither must Sheriff Laing. It has security and rehef, Sam, on Gates wane does b enn loans en a miserable mistake. ny | lost our tempers, and we are . yee y duty, was shoring Yooiferously in the at this hour of night!” ane wos on Nias" foutte “Mut—-but te mustn't Io meee eae ouviong tay hen ner feet, “He will do nothing of the Ril at fault, But pat ad not yet returned. sort! How dare he) How dare he!" "She paused and glanced brightly at BAS AAY 08 Te, : ok stamped her foot. | “Where 18 tne three in turn, Her futher, quick She snapped back the catch of the this ereature’—she ran to the door {he three in turn. Her futher, Guile apring lock again so that the door and out Into the corridor=“I'll—oh!” Feady heginning to amile in assent; could not be opencd from without, , It was Sheriff Laing, leaning with Botton, frankly reli looked at her H J gained her state. flded anme against the side of the aimost gratofully; only the sheriff, RIAA TOP S00F Bae AO hd car, a few steps down the passage> taken aback at her sudden change of room, She had left the light burn~ way ' ‘ front, stared dubiously ing, und ‘sho stevped sWitly across "He grinned at her maliciously. | FENG Gdvanced. promptly to. Bherite to the little built-in mahogany ward- "I am going into that room, Tithe cand nad Guctoe banal Tobe and took out a dressing gown, announced, “1 apologize for what I said a few ments age she said demurely, -I think we have misunderstood ach other, I can understand that very Peason to be suspicious use T wouldn't answer you that night, and I whould have remem- bered that you had no ehoice but to perform what you felt, and what you were quit: justified in feeling, And you will try to understand me a little too—won't you? If you had been in my place that night and a man had just saved your life, I know you wouldn't have done anything or said anything aft erwards to harm, now would you? sthat made me very angry. You would rather have your tongue cut out—I'm sure you would! And to-night—well, of course, he couldn't have been there in my room—and But I'm not angry any more, because I can see that, as far as @ personal insult was concerned, it never entered your head, The she forced her hand into the sheriffs—"“have I not made amends?" Her father laughed outright now in genuine good humor, “I don't see how you can resist that, sheriff.’ T ain't going to,” said the sheriff, though a little ungraciously. "But T notice she didn't say anything about what did happen that night.” "Oh, that's taboo! laughingly. “Now, sheriff, you're not going to spoil it all by bringing thu up again!” She swept round to F ton, and in turn extended her hand to him. “We're good friends again, Mr. Felton, aren't we?” “Why, yes, Miss Pelenoff,” he an- swered with a smile, “of course we" ——~ “Of course, we a she caught up his words gaily, “And now, father, 1 think if we had the samovar, or per- haps the sheriff and Mr. Felton tha: No-really!” Felton demurred. “Please don't trouble, Miss Pelenoff. My excuse for going was really genu- ine, you know. I was on the way to tho office when the sheriff met me, and I must get back there. It will be the wee small hours now before I get my work finished, as It ts."" Nonsense!" she responded lghtly. “Father won't keep you long, and what are a few extra minutes! I shall think that our—shall I call it our reconciiiation?-—1s only half-hearted it you refuse.”” “But certainly, they will remain!” insisted her father, courtesy and gen- jality. itself now. He waved the sheriff and Felton to chairs, "Mera, will you"— But Mera was already enacting the role of hostess. Under her directiona Sam began to set refreshments on the table, “You have everything, father?” she asked hospitably. “Everything, I'm sure, dear--thank you.” he replied. “Then, 1f Mr. Felton, and Sheriff Laing, and you, dad, will excuse ma she swept a deprecating little glances over state of dishabille—"I will retire, CHAPTER XXIV. Caught. ROM the upper end of the yards the switching engine, struggling with @ string of box cars, “making up” for the early freight next morn- ing, coughed and wheezed asthmatic ally; and now and then, as she snapped ber string away from her, flung the gleam of her headlight up and down the spurs, Over on the main line No, 43, the local passenger, west bound, waa just pulling out again, Larry, lying on the ground In the shadows of the roundhouse wail, shifted bis position to @ sitting pos ture for a better view of the station Platform across the tracks. Tom maso he had sent away at once; an it must be fully half an hour now since he had left Mera Pelenoff at the cur. No, 43 had been late. ‘The roar and rumble of the loca) on her way west again died away. Larry rose to his feet and began to cross the spur tracks warily Nearing the edge of the platform he dropped on his hands and knees, and lay quietly for a moment listening, straining his eyes to search out the shadows about the station, ‘The way Was clear. Satisfied, he rose again, Jumped on to the platform and in a second had crossed it, reached the doorway that led to the divisional offices above, and was mounting the staire, Larry tiptoed swiftly and ailently down the corridor, edging close to the wall, and with quick-flung glances over his shoulder against the possibil of either the despatcher or a call boy happening to look out of the despatcher's room, reached the door of his office, unlocked tt with his own key, entered and locked the door be- bind him-and then stood silent and motionless, staring about him, He picked up the flashlight to sweep its rays around him, and the next instant was on his f the hight out, and his automatic, whipped from ‘his pocket, In hia hand, Some one was trying the door—more insistently now, as though with a frenzied desperation from failure to open it. “Unlock the door! Unlock the door! Oh, don’t you hear me?"—he caught the muffied voice, her voice, wild with fear, Startled, amazed, his brain awhirl, he sprang across the room and opened the door, She reeled in, almost tnto his arma. “Sheriff Laing is here!" she panted, “You haven't a moment! He made to lead her out through the door, hen, run" “No; not that way!"—she pushed him back into the room and closed the door, “Lock {t!"-——she was gasping out her words. “You can't go that way! They would see you! They are on the stairs now! Oh, long In opening the de stairs there was a cigarette in the doorway, and—and T couldn't get in!" She was pushing Mim again, frantically now, toward the window. “After they searched the car, Mr. Felton said he was coming here to do some work. I was terrified, I I mado them wait for some refresh- you were so ri And down- 1 boy smoking a ments—to give me @ little time-—and I went to my stateroom--and dressed and got put without them knowing It. If it hadn't been for that boy 1 would have had lots of time—and now -and now-listen—hear em! ‘They're coming along the corridor, ‘The win- dow! that's the only chan: “It's too far from the ground for you to make it,” Larry said hoarsely. "It doesn't matter about me," she answered feverishly, "Go yourself! You must take the chance—it's the only one," It matters a great died his voice, speakt calmly, “If they find you he know you fooled them in the car, and nothing would save you then, Laing would go the limit, und” “It doesn't matt It doesn't mat- ter! Oh, go—Ko!" she pleaded. Nor" h 1 Th is another way.” He reached up and pulled down the window shade, Dark before, the room Was now fn utter blackness “They must not know that you have been here, We can take them by sur risa in the dark after they come in They don't expect to find me he You must slip out in the confusion and run straight back to the ear, You need not worry about me~I'll manage to wet away.” “You can't-you kuow you can’t. deal"—he « almost » they'll at Mera, wall —-her voice caught ina half sob. "You wa are only trying to make ino believe it” ‘The flashlicht went out. tosave me! L know what you will do, way in darkness. A “Stand In here against the nd cover Felton in the same y ope reason in his guilty and cow ardly mind that would account for Mr. Lannigan having dared to come k here-—-and that was himself, He The room board creaked }s and—oh, they'll be here in another in the pasaaceway outaide was afraid that Mr. Lannigan @us second!’ Listen! Listen! They're JUst "stp you make a sound, or If Felton pected the truth, Ho did not dare outside now! Oh, G0~ please C—tLO makes a sound, Ell drop you, Sherief, leave the money there any longer window!" kot up out of bed where you stand!" Larry whispered Gent you see? T ‘otha, way!” Larry dropped tunyely. but loud end lor bo and dressed, and sneaked down to the both flashlight and revolver into bis hear,» Wd GROMMET BOE HONDO OE antl Mora paused suddenly pocket, and drew her back to the ‘There was utter silence, The Sher- anil faced Larry with an expectan corridor wall cloxe beside the door, tr and Welton, if from quite other me le as the car door opened and a but where the duor in opening would tives, were jistening now with as baht sounded an instant, late hide her, “Go when I get thet acros# strained attention as either Larry or from t orridor, “LE sent Mr, Felton the room together, but don’t open tho Stora an Cee Ee OTC ctlCie Gttin door wide to do it, or they may se A board creaked again, but very ained, “I think he has earned"— hee ce nig he Wrueune ys , faintly—though the sound was nearer, mimaso bounded Into the eon just eno os ‘ough—and you Bad w i ; 0 i nut move Lke lightning when ye as as If, warn aby Oe previous nt and flung himself upor at And don't wait) when you than before, to open. A nar Kradually widen- into the 1 or! he erted. “Oh, | #0 glad, Signor ne to the oth “Signor! 8 am so glad! L Larry looked fr His heart was very full now—too fu “) your chance, for I shall not try to go until | know that you are’ He cut his words off short. The foot row thread of light, nit, began to steal op halted before ti . int fon They tet in the lo ooh SOeh A Ae ee Oren to iit him to enter into her a! op atill! Don't make a sound!" (90F Temainad sition aaa tempt to pass it all off lightly. er wis without Was listening intently for any sound from within, Then, with a single, swift, silent movement, a dark form silpped through the doorway, and the dvor was closed. It was black » whispered—and in a flash he was away from her and across to the far end of the room near the desks The door opened—a thin, wavering shaft of Hght streaked across the lower end of the room in the direc Laing and Fe “L know,” ho @aid huskily. “tows you all som Lowe you all more than’ J nd then he could not sa any more, and he turned away to the window A chair creaked behind him, there in the room agat tion of the window, The door had been opened so little, Was @ quick step, and the big Rus ton stepped in. Like an animal at «he manta entrance so quick, that ®itn's hand fell heartily upon bia bay, set for its spring, Larry crouched pecoenition was impossible—and yet shoulder, in front of the desks. Larry. was conscious of You owe more to yourself than you A strane, ‘The streak of light narrowed—van- digrurhing sense of familiarit do to any one else,” declared Mr tshed, ‘The door closed. It was plteh Not a sound! All was quiet again! Pelenoff, smiling. was talking: black again, The footateps of tho again the intruder appeared to be With iy daughter at dinner to two men approached him, crossing jistening, Then the key turned, The Mikht about you; only then you were the room ‘ man had locked himself in, not free—and now you are, I told her Then Felton spoke: Footsteps crossed the room and I needed a man like y ennigan “Got @ match, Laing?" paused by the wall near the window, to help me over there in Russia, | There was an instant’s pause-then ‘There was a slight thud, as theuch want primarily a man who ta not onl the erackle of a match the man had dropped down on hia & good railroad man, but a man wh Larry watted knees: and then, an instant later, a is not afraid «. rei The flame sputtered up, held but curious, indeterm squeaking, a big feld ther great the barest fraction of a second & fending noise railroad future pert © greatest fraction of a second that outlined — The flashlicht, still switched off tn from the viewpoint of poss! in plainly enough Larry's face, as he Larry's hand, lifted, He knew now the we ure meant it whould) docand then he je knew, His brain Was riotous with Will you sprang full at the other, dashing the jt all, He Just t Tarr ar match to the floor he must w ‘A hoarse grow! of rage, of triamph, could be no of wavage elation met his rush Just a second more a ‘Tho answer must L “By Goi! Anigan! So I've got ke room mad hope and you at lust, have I, my bucko?” i ‘sulare, ‘There was joy surg nd was chilled They were awaying together, locked a acream, a xhrick of terror, of fury, to hope? ach oth sar pair--and in the centre of the i k a woman's t yet!" 1 Larry, “And ray as thou ould have told her that he you'll need all the help Felton there a screen, knelt Mason, ahe—she was just loya can give you!” A omckige of bank= and trave and true-to a debt she “Will L?) Not by 4 damned sight!" nd that he was in the got gh we The Sheriff had suddenly secured an jfrom a hole beneath @ Tt w ‘ apoke. under hold t quick! ® lank flooring y tren ‘Tommaso door! Call, whoaver's around! Vil Bey eT * ae tily take care of bim until then," CHAPTER XXV. ni lured Mr. Pelenoft The duort Felton at the doi bars At the End of the Run. genial. mas, will go, too, ry's jaws clamped had nc thought it would be like that, He had N the living-room e¢ 4 looked = doubtfully et had no other thought but the nat ment of the private ¢ ‘ h ta twit ural one that bot would leap upon SSR TntaR Tare now," he satd, “I wil m. Ho struggled like @ madman bale hour later it r Lannigan.” running toward crying, must not reach Felton’s steps were the door, Hut Felt is ttle smite. pped to the arms about it—must not give al There she perched on the arm « would i for her then, He yd eg ane gan seema ve J fought and wrenched to bad told ‘BY depinard r yolce waa ake bina loose and then both, how the paymaster had been caugh' it now she tox: , crashed down upon in the office, And twice, almost as raised her eves to y's “Il w the floor, But he was permmodt, ble excites as hia da ter = the i der why! You n ASO, @hatched One arm free- the doorkn Kuasian official had reached ut and Larry had bee rohing her face, turned—and then (here was the quick wrung Larry's band. But Mr, Velo- It was the first t sha had looked rustle of a dress, and Mera's voice noff was etl heavy with bewils at him. It w for an instan rang out clear and ¢ derment. for the long, ¢ hes had hidden you don't, Mr, Felton! I've But IT ean hardly make head or her ey again but now, because revolver e, and [can see tail of what you lave sud, Mera,” there was n his hear you plainly enough If you touch he p pated late ely, patting his anda & as all glad that door, af you tnove « single step daughter's 4 4 after natel 1088, ward Tor from where you are, or make a sound All T have been able to m t mao. i Mera’s ove ll g is that Lannigan here i f nd face into rare love and in the . J to paralyze Sheriff Laing this man Mason is > thie! I don't ph eye deeper Now because wement, to rob him for an quite u stand. ps you'll) be they swam It brave n movement more luc Lannigan he looked for t sh dare he t seemed tos Larry him= at Larry inqutringly self, though ytaking ad- — Larry, smiling gravely, shook his tall vantage of the second that ¢ man % 4 th hefully beneath Lim Was off his guard, bis “The wa. bated me good aad bard H | :