The evening world. Newspaper, June 24, 1916, Page 8

adventure, Story No. 14 THE MUSIC SWINDLERS } } Two American girls, Mona Hartley and Mary Burnett, set about punishing the “Wolves of Society” through their check books. This is the story of their fourteenth i t (oprrighted ey Keim Onmuany.) LOOK of sadness tinged the handsome face of Camper Carson, the young millionaire social worker and piilanthrvpiat, he paused under the flickering rays of the corner wrest linn! “Are you eatiofied with your gilmnpes of the mumn at night? he asked Mona Hartiey, who, with Mary Murneti, bad been making @ tour of the eordid streste after dark in bia watanfi! care. “Of ooures 1 am not mtisfied!” she aried impetuoualy. te @0 anything to change all thie™ “How would you obange it?” returned Carson rether bitterly. “Isn't tt ponsible “I have @tven three years and half of my fortune to a wtudy of civic conditions, and Tem beginning to think that Lam going backward Instead of forward Rave got to change conditions ike this from the tnaide out You not from the outside in, You have got to demi with the individual rather than with the mans, You hare got"-—— He broke off bis coraments with a little ery, and, @winging about, raised his voice in « hall to « tall, well set up young man who had just rounded the opposite corner. ‘The other stared in the @irection of the oall, his attitude showing amaze. ent as he recognised Carson, Then with a swinging stride he cromsed the treet. “What in the name of heaven brings you here?” he demanded. t two young 14 Carson, smiling expression. “Mise Burnett and Miss Hartley, al- fow me to present my good friend, Rodney Grant of the Star, Mr. Grant fa one of the most fearless and capa- ble newspaper reporters I have ever known—and I have had experience “I want you to m friends of mine.” @t the other's dubiou ‘with a good man; “Forget it!" laughed Grant, shak- fing hands with the two girls, but still unable to cover his surprise, and etudying them shrewdly. The young ‘women had dressed for the occasion fm rough sults and hate, which might ave fooled a casual passer-by, but which only accentuated their refine- ment to a close observer. “Mies Hartley and Mise Burnett are much interested in practical sociol- egy,” explained Carson, “and have been studying the slums at night under my guidance and protection. If You could persuade them to talk, old ‘man, you would have some thrilling stories for the Star of their experi- ences. Won't you join us?” “Delighted,” fice.” ‘The girls waited while the two men ‘went to telephone. For a few moments the two girls the night scene before them, their attention directed mainly toward the gaudy restaurant across the street. It was Mona who saw first the hesitating young woman, with a white, pinched face, who had paused before the restaurant, and stood peer- ine fearfully in through the window, The young woman before the res- taurant drew out a coin from a frayed Purse in her hand, made a movement @s though to pass through the door- way of the cafo, and then drew back With the coin etill she passed Quickly down tht street, entered a rug store and exchanged the coin for @ phial of something, Mona and Mary @urveyed with a shudder, @lutched in her hand, following and watching her. the phial to her @aught and held her hand mistakable odor of said Grant, @on't mind waiting until I call the of- “entered a small park and was raising ips when carbolic acid floated up into Mona's face, The young woman on the but instant Mona had wrenched the phial @way and dashed !t onto the ground. ow,” she said soothingly, “If you will tell me what it is all abo! struggled desperately, T oan help you!” 7 “Help me!” echoed the young woman with a bitter Mttle laugh. “You are @ nice one to talk about helping when you took the only way out of it all away from me! Oh, why did you do It? Why didn't you let me take the chance when I had it? Now——* she held out her empty purse, and broke into @ bysterical laugh. Mona dropped onto the bench at her aide. “It ts always blackest just before dawn! I know that it is easy enough to tell you that—and that you prob- ably won't believe it. But if you can persuade yourself to tell me your story, 1 will promise that If 1 cannot offer a definite way of help to you, I will buy another bottle of acid for you without a word!” “You really mean it?" For a moe ment the young woman nat studying the faces of the two girls, half re- vealed In the uncertain rays of the park lights, “I'll chance it!" she de- cided abruptly. “1 can't be worse oft than Iam now. That is one consola- tion!” She plunged into her story ner- vously. “My name is Winnie Andrews, T was foolish enough to think that I had @ voice, that I could sing—and I was more foolish when I believed a man who told me! was right, that I would some day be a second Melba! My home was in Obto, There ts no need to tell you the name of the town, One day I saw in a newspaper the adver- Usement of a concern, calling itself “The Twentieth Century Vocal Acad- emy of New York City.’ It seemed to offer just the courses of instruction which I thought I needed, and IT per- suaded my father to draw his aavines from the pank to pay my expenses, With the money I came to New York and met the head of the music school, & man who gave me the name of Prof. Alonzo Herrman. He tested my volce, or at least pretended to do so, and sald that there was no doubt of my success as an opera singer If T took hin course of instruction. “T stayed at the school for several months, and then my father came on to see me. Prof. Herrman talked so tieally futur at about my ded it would be safe to mort- our home for enough money to finish my schooling. The Professor introduced us to a man calling him- eelf a us a money lender, small sum on property, A mortgage as security eral months more passed, I was be- who advance our t CO CORO The Newest Kalern Picture Now Eeing Presented eat the Leading Motion Fic- | In _Groeter New York WITH FEIGNED JEALOUSY, MONA REBUKES THE “PROFESSOR.” coming vaguely uneasy, as Prof. Herrman's instruction showed no re- sults, but it was not until I received word that my father was ill that I became really alarmed, J went to Prof. Herrman and asked him if he could not secure me some kind of a position where I could carn money with my voice, enough this Is my firet definite knowledge of them, It ls high time that the Twen- tleth Century Vocal Academy and Prof, Alonzo Herrman were put out of busines: Winnie Andrews gazed at her won- deringly just as Herrman and Grant appeared. They discussed the girl's plight and decided to work out some tune by two unscrupulos speculators, who had visited her home town, and that she had suddenly found herself thrown on the world, with the neces- sity of making her own living instead of looking forward to-a life of ease and luxury. She dropped the subject abruptly, as though unable to endure the bitter memortes which {t called money to take care of my father, but plan of saving the girl and breaking 5 up. Two days later, however, she re- he only laughed in my f and Herrman, Mona and Mary took th® turned to Ae axcltaay called me an easy mark, I guess he girl to their home, ‘ “What do you think has happened to-day, Professor?” she asked. “Tam sure 1 have no idea, hatic answer. “Te!l me rber the story saw that he had gotten about all the money possible out of us, and that the time had come to disillusion me, The next week they foreclosed the would be possible for mo to be en- mortgage on our home, and the rolled as ono of your students?" she shock killed my father, Since then I hesitated bashfully, “My name ts have been trying desperately to get Roberts. work, any kind of work. Of course, I The Professor smiled, and rubbed The next morning Mary appeared at Herrman’s studio. “II have called to seo whether tt the you telling you of the two swindlers who rf had stolen my father's fortune?” reme| I was “Certainiy! Thi behind the bars y ought to be put have lost all my wonderful dreams his hands, “Well, they are in town) now, end about my votce, I have been willing “We are alw. look! m. : ‘ ys looking for prom- » have bro ent ae a SiS iNe pogy they have brought with them a girl, ising students.” He looked at her again appratisin “Have you had vocal lessons before?” Mary shook her head. ‘No—but I have been told so ofien that I have a who used to be my dearest friend, Hattie Gordon. Hattie thinks she can sing, and they seem to think 0, too, for they have told her that they will tried to find a place the worse things seemed to get until to-night I knew 1 had come to the end of the rope, I had @ solitary quarter left, I atopped . ri 7 | fina: theatrical any, and At @ realsurant, wondering whether remarkable voice, and that It ought Annnce & theatrical company, and to spend the quarter for food oF to be developed, that I would like to Mar Nem When whe selemmaled ie Boinon! 1 decided on the poison have the opinion of an expert ke they wore dving, I could hardly bold and then you came!" yourself,” ore doing. 3 te «1 myself, Of course, they are using my a aE Hin aN seta te Hea so! Just so! You are acting farmer's money, the money which Atory, and for a fow momenta Mona Witel¥, tt will be @ pleasure to test ougnt to be mine, to do it with—the your tone qualities and inflections, nd Mar ‘ol her narratly Tie scoundrels!" pari " ey tera PORTA aaue Miss Roberts. Lf you will follow M%. stary yaw the Professor's eyes glis- last. { will take you to our private con- ton and even before he spoke, she “Lam glad have f servatory and will do myself tho know that he had fallen into her trap. a gla wa ave found you pleasure of examining your possibill- He drew closer to hor, and lowered you poor dear! Not only for vour tes myaelf rather than intrusting you ® Raer. $9. ber own sake, but for the sake of hun- to an assistant.” ac con enue y er dreds of other girls, who probably Prof He “Do you wan! lo get c your srrman closed ¢ have been victimized in the same closed the door, noney--and at the same time give twirled the plano stool with a flour- teh, and seating himself at the instru- ment, asked Mary if sho had any fa- Vorite piece of music that she would like to sing, The girl named a popular melody at random, and the Professor rattled off the refrain, playing with ed flourish of a vaude- Mary sang through the opening verse and the chorus. She was quite well aware that Nature had not given her a “voice,” and that ° the most expert teaching in the world wa I have heard a the so-call ‘ood deal about 1 ‘fake music schools,’ but your father's swindlere a sample of thelr own methods?” Mary nodded, excitedly, “On, if I only could-—but that ts Lnpousiple!” Not at all—if you go woout tt the ght way! 1 think that J can be of real assistance to you, if you want to jo forces with me. “Of course | do! I think you are the most wonderful man | have ever known!" Mary looked up at him ad- miringly, and the Professor drew even r. Let me tell you what to do then, Get your girl friend on the tel could never have developed any yooal phone and (ell her that you have ability in her, But she sang with al! found a manager who te much inter ested In her plans and that you will the eagerness and trepidation which she imagined a young woman hoping for a musical career would display. When she finished, the Professor swung around on his stool and again rubbed his hands, Marvellous! Marvellous!” he erted, rmit me to congratulate you, my dear young Indy! Assuredly you have Undersianding. ” Beo great credit to us from your enrol- | { Hattle on the phone now introduce her to him, Tell her she bring her friends with her tf she itut I don't Know any manager,” protested Mary. “Ot course you don’t, but I do, and he i¥ Just the man for our purpose,” The girl studied bis words tor a mo- ment in a pretended puzzled silence and then looked up with a «mile of ment as a student! I can seo A meeting Was arranged for the next that you have done wisely, very wise. day fein onmnine Geta At 2 o'clock, Mona, in company with Casper Carson and Kod. Grant, After the necessary arrangements who were to Act the roles of the two regarding money, &e., Mary left, P Several days after she had been aver swindlers, stopped before the apartment building, where the Vocal given her first lesson, Mary felt tt Academy had established itself, and minutes later the trio were safo enough to venture on a more a'into the private office of the intimate footing with Herrman, As piincipal, lerrman was awaiting they were concluding their “lesson,” then with his bt! dest, most profe #he gata in a sudden burst of confi- 1 smile, and with him was & er, whom he duly presented as 8, of whom you have dence, “If 1 only had the money I had a year ago, I could organize my own rd, of course opera company and win fame easily,” And now an the Professor A Rar ee eee eee. Munn mt ths of tie busls As the Professor expressed his 8YM= hogs without delay, “I understand thit pathy, she explained that her father Mins Gordon possesses much ability had been swindled out of @ large for- @ w winger and actress, and that she $$$ KL LT is desirous of obtaining an opportun- ity tu be brought vesore tue puvilo in tue rignt way and under the right management,’ Carson nodded, “You have hit tt exacuy, Processor, We beneve in the young woman, and we stand ready (o back her—it you can show us waore golog wo get off. Uf course we » bUSiNess mc and Lhe proposition must ivvk sood.” “Any suggestion which my friend, Mr, Powers nay make, will be worth listening to,” added the Professor gravely. The’ “theatrical manager" removed his blac ar, aud sure veyed na deliberately, 4% though studying her face and figure reflec- Uvely can ofer you the most attractive propusition wh it has even been In my poWer to present to any one," he began, “Hur 1 will tell you at once that It means quick action, Iam not the kind of iman to do buginess on promises, From what the tells me of Miss Roberts, she should make a real siar, But she must have the right kind of play, aud the proper backing, I have just the sort of vehicle that will fit ber, but tt means ten thousand—in cold cash! If you gentlemen are ready to talk business, all might. If not, We had better have an understanding at once before any of us Wuste time.” Carson waved his hand carelessly. “We ure in @ position to put up ten thousand in ten minutes’ notice, Mr, Peters, But you have got to convince me that we are going to have some- thing for our money, Lam ready to be convinced—and prepared to, act just f@ soon as you convince me." “Then you are the man Lam look- ing for," Mr. “Peters” said, “We will put up the ten thousand, Mr, Peters, just a9 s00n as you pro- duco the contract and guarantee, Is that satisfactory?” satd Carson, The Py sor hastily turned to his desk to hide his smile of elation, as Peters nodded, and held out his hand, “That goes! I will notify you within twenty-four hours and then we can meot to close arrangements,” He rose to his feet Jad to have met you all! Lean only say that you have done fa food piece of business, not only for the young ledy but for yourselves!" d himself out, and am Carson, Grant and Mona their departure, the Pri nem to the ele- also took fessor accompanying vator, and waving his hand genially to them as they descended, From the {nnor room Mary had heard the entire interview, and smiled delightedly to herself as she saw the progress which was being mace. She was on the point of opening the door, and step- ping into Herr: ofti@s when the hall door was pushed open, and Mona stepped in bre ssly. | Herrm: at his desk turned in surprise, as Mona made her way to his side, and slipped a note Into his hand. Her face was flushed, and she was breathing quickly. “I want to get better acquainted with you!" she confided, looking up into his face with a glance — that melted any suspicions which He man might have e tained. “Can't you call? I have written down my Address for you. Tam so lonesome by mysolf in this big eity that f would lova to have you come and see ‘Of course I'l come—wit eo!” promised Herrman, beaming, “But don't let Miss Koberts know IT havo asked you,” said Mona hur- rledly, calling Mary by the name un- der which the other had ered. “she is @ litte cat When she sees that men prefer me to her, And you don't mu?" 1g Professor's “Ot course | do! otherwise?" Mona flashed him smile, and the door w behind her when Mary entered the office from the adjoining yoom. With- out a word, she stepped acrosa to Herrman, and held out ber hand, amile deepened How could 1 think an answering s just closing AVA AANAVARWNIE Plot by George Bronson Howard | Novelization by Hugh C. Weir ORDER ADEM ADAMDAAADAD AAA NAN AAA AANA AINA) Mary sang with all the eagerness and trepl- dation which she imagined a y hoping for a musical “Marvelous!” cried the Professor. Wing woman career would display. “You have a tremendous fortune hefore you I can see you have done wisely in coming to me.” tat’ whe deman ted. sdad Herrnan wo- hide it bebind bie hive tne tha What note?” « easiiy, trying to back note that «irl « put anything like enn mal" Herrman hold ott the note @rudi inwly and Mary anatohed tt away, bh fiaahin veht that a 6 anid outtingly. Lam!” protested Herrman, “Then you will bave to prove it!* @he returned teily. “Ot course | will, my dear!" Herr. man louked properly erestfallen and wore my humble, Mary iooked at him, opened her ips aw though to speak again, and then, without another word, stepped into the hall, elamming the door behind her. Mary bad hardly rejoined Mona in their flat when the telephone ehrilied abruptly. Mona stepped to the tn- Btrument, laughing. “Who wanus Ww wager that it tan’t Herrman?” She took down the re- ceiver and motioned pene A and Win- nie Andrews to come closer. “How are you, Profeasor?™ she called sweetly. “li is so good of you to remember me so soon! What ie that? Wl L be at home this eve- ning? Of course! Ye indeed, I shail be glad to see you! She hunk back the recelver and burst into a paroxysm of merriment. “Jie will be here at etght. You will have to leave the coast clear, Mary. Let m Mere) gave him our address, n't you 3 “L told him [ Lived in the euburbe. But 1 think 1 will call o8 you to- if you don't mind, dear nine!” Give me half an hour with him and I will guarantee to arrange as pretty @ tableau as you ever caw! The girls hurried through their dt ner, and Mary and Winnie Andre made thelr way to the street to watch for the coming of Herrman, while Mona proceeded to make an elaborate toilet for the event, The Professor was @n time, and flushed with pleas. ure and council at the warmth of Mona's greeting. The girl told him demurely that her “aunt” was calling ‘on friends, and that they were alone, She was an adept in the arte of the and aided by soft candle roquette, fhis and the eentho ntal music which the Professor was drumming out of the plano, It was not jong be- fore Herrman showed that his con- est was complete. Guest wae jondiig over her on @ cor ner divan when the hall door opened foftly, and Mary burst into the room, with an exaggerated cry of welcome t> Mona, Tuen she paused as sho recognized Herrman. Tho Professor stepped forward hastily, holding out his hand to her, but she ignored it. "y did not know that you had com- Miss Gordon! she said telly, ee 4 night!" Sy 01 you good nit With her head held high and her eyes flashing, she strode from the room, leaving the discointitel Profos- sor staring after her stupidly. In the corridor outside she seized Winnle An- drews's arm and hurried to the street. “~ want a taxicab -uick! The Pro- fessor will naturally think that T have sno to his office to wait for him and have an accounting of his actions— und he will follow me there as soon as he can get away! You tell Mona where I have gone, and tell her I will phone her!" ) sprang into @ machine, waiting r, and waved her hand juuntily. If her calculations were correct, she saw a daring way by which she could force lasues that very night. Mary made her way to the rooms of the Vocal Academy, which she knew wore kopt open until 10 o'clock, and let herself into Herman's private office, Sne did not have long to walt, In less than half an hour she heard a step outside, and the door opened to admit th Professor, 8 at the co “I had honed you would be here, ‘or young friend! I have come {0 exp! Tinto you ceruun things which I fear may have deerived you!” “Thera iy no need of explanations’ said Mary curtly, rising. "I wasn't born yestemtay, I have decided that this affair has gone quite far enowrh. IT was only waiting for you to cowe so that I could tell you to your face, Tam motng to axplain the whole game to Miss Gordon, and let her see for horacif Just what kind of a scoundrel you really are!" She strode up to the desk and seized the telephone, Herrman ht her arm pleadingly, You are hasty!" he protested. Think what you are doing! Think of the share you are going to have for yourself from that ten thousand, which {s Just as good as in our hands con't want the money!" atormed AWe are wasting time talking. Resides, what assurance have | got that you wouldn't trick me out of the "{ give you my word!" said Horr- man eagerly. Mary shook her head. ‘There is only one thing I will do! Tam going to get out of the whole matter to- night! If you want to pay me $5,000 for my share, T will let the girl go and keep still! Otherwteo [shall have the satisfaction of telling her Herrman drew back, shaking his head, and Mary calmty gave the num- her of thelr flat to the exchange oner ator, It was enough, He an drew out a checkbook and sullenly wrote out an orde five thousand dol Mary hung back the receiver, Herrman b: 1 easily once m “T will watt here.” she satd, “w 1 have this cashed. I prefer the Herrman sullenly departed, THE FIFTEENTH “THE SOCIAL PIRATES” VILL BE PUBLISHED SATURDA Wark in the girl’ flat, Mona @f about tha tinue wee relatiog cleotatly tie audience, conaiating of Care . (tant and Winnie Andrewa, hi detaila of Herrman'a viet and . epoctacuiar intrusion. Carron Nae ened to her story with an unusual vity “You don't seem aa enthusiaatio I expected you to bal” the on erted Budtenly. looking up at him. e900 whouk hia head. “t find thee man Herrman is a dangerous ohare acter—the lind that would atop af Sethine in a theht corner, Ones aiden” —— He broke off auddenty, tenling to the hall door of the nad suddenly threw It open. A crouching MAN outside almort precipitated inte the room, and the wext moment Care gon had fastened hin hands tn the other's collar and yanked him to hig feet. Mona repressed @ cry as ehe gnaw that the Intruder was none otheg than the poe ed theatrical “mane exer,” whom Herrmann had pree sented early in the day. There wag another cry of recognition—thie time from Winnte Andrews, “You villain! burst out. th impulsively, springing toward, fing “He is tho scoundrel who poand ae @ monoy-lender. and killed my poor father!” she cried Carson come pressed Nia lips crimly, and dragged the man aorogs tis room to an inner bedroom, into which he thrust bi and locked the door. Without a wor he sprang to the telephone and called the office of the Twentteth Century Vocal Academy. A moment later Mary's voice greeted him over the wire, and he was explaining whet In return, the gt: bad happened. briefly of her interview with told bas 3 ye and its result, “If you can hold the man for half fn hour,” she finished, “it awill give me time Fe finish. Do you think you jo it?" can hold him all night,” ead Carson, but he was mistaken, When he opened the bedroom door he sprang inw the room with @ ery of dismay, The window was open, and as he reached! it he was just in time to eee the Levad 4 leap bide the fire es. cape the ground, and pear into the darkness, Casi Carson darted back to the tele phone and agiin called the number of the Vocal Academy, but there wag no answer, Frantically he impor tuned the central exchange to find what was wrong. n the meantime, Mary, awa! the Professor's return, in Horas private office, was engaged in one of the most exciting experiences of her life, It was not due to a defective connection that Carson's second cal! fatied of an answer, for the girl hea the bell, and had even taken the ree ceiver from the hook to reply when ohe was held rigid with terror. The door had burst open, and the figure of Herrman's accomplice, the psoude a trical “manager,” darted toward er, She dropped the receiver and was backing away from the desk when her glance fell on an open drawer tn which Was a revolver. Desperately she snatched It and levelled {t toward the advancing man just as his arms closed flendi#tily about her. She felt herself swaying and then her fingers Pressed the trieger of the weapon and she sank to the floor, It wos this shot, echoing dully over the open wire which greeted Casper Carson, back tn the flat, as he tried fu vein to establish @ response from Herrinan's office. With a groan he dashed toward the door, calling to the others to follow him. In the office of Herrman, Mary Bure nett lay motionless on the floor, her white face upturned to the ent. ‘Mh man, bending over her, sprang. b with @ cusp of mortal terror. In his eyes Won the look of a hunted animal Qt the thought that the woman at his feet might be dead. Crushing his hat own, on bls head, he darted out of e door, leaving the motion| behind him. ete eee at As the door banged shut Ma raise? haregit Mrzily on An elbow ang surveyed her surroundings. She had not been shot, but had colla under the nervous shock of the ae tion. Now ghe caught hold of the desk, and managed to scramble uncore tainly to her feet as the door opened again and Prof, Hermann waiked in, For @ second the gir) thought that he, too, had learned of the trap, but she was mistaken. With a snarl Herrman tosae @ bundle of banknotes onto the jesk. Mary tucked them fnto her hands bag, and on a sudden thought, drow a pnd of paper toward her and serihbled a receipt. ‘The man took it with @ sneer, Refora he could de- cipher its contents, she walked to the door, and preased the elevator b Two minutes liter she was Rube Re street and in the arms of Mona, who was the first of Casper Carson's rose cue party to spring from the taxteab that had paused outside tho hullding. Mona disengeged herself from. the other's embrace, and, reaching into her handbag, extended the bundle of bankr « to Win Andrews “th this money ly righteousy yours, dear Upstairs in his off Prof herr. man had jJast finished reading the following receipt: “Thanks for the return of the ¢ixg five thousand dollars you swindled Miss Winnie Anirews ont of! You Will be overjoyed to know, too, that woman pon whom ‘you were light js also my accomplice. ! al all be watting Ww open arms--and an Herrman slowly crumpled the paper in his hand and smothered an oath, (To Re Continued) ADVENTURE OF . JULY 1