TTTR KTTVDAT" OT?EOOmX. rOHTLAXD. JXXT 11, 1015.
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The Blow Struck In the Dark.
mi S the girl stepped swiftly into
J-3i the shadow cast by the porte
cochere of the darkened mansion
she was seized. A rough hand sil
enced the scream which rose to her
lips, another pinioned her arms. When
the attempted to kick out viciously
with her little sharp heeled boots the
hand gripping: her arms tightened un
til she went limp with agony.
She felt herself being dragged Into
the areaway. and for a moment the
hand over her mouth relaxed Its pres
sure. She Jerked her head with all of
her strength and screamed.
A figrure, which exclaimed softly,
suddenly dropped from overhead,
alighting- on all fours.
Straightening, It became a broad
shouldered, quick moving man. who
struck out as he came to his feet. At
the first blow her captor's grip on her
arms relaxed, and at the second, which
snapped against the unshaven, startled
face above her, she found herself
freed. She felt, rather than heard, his
unconscious bulk roll at her feet.
"Come on, get out of this, quick!"
As if by instinct both turned at a
dark cross street, where her companion
halted her at the mouth way of an alley
that ran away into a cavern of black
ness. He faced her with a laugh, his
arm still about her.
Some run, that, wasn't itr he said
breathlessly. "1 didn't know but what
that fellow might have a gun or a
pal, and I didn't want to take any
chances. I hope you're not ex
hausted "
"Oh!" she whispered after a moment.
1 thought I would die when that
terrible creature put his hand over
my face. I was Just going home
when "
"There," he said; "you're safe. Ifs
lucky I happened to be passing."
"I thought you dropped from the
skies." She robbed her face In per
plexity. "I saw you plainly "
"Oh. no," he broke In. "I was coming-
up the avenue when I heard you
cry and saw you struggling. The only
thing that dropped was the fellow
who grabbed you."
"It was wonderful the way yon hit
him." She seemed ill at ease.
"Yes, ' I did land rather hard. Now
tf you'll tell me where yon live I'll
take you home."
"Xo. no." (the girl backed away nerv
ously), "I can go hack alone. I live
down the avenue. I can easily go
alone." Then, in remorse, "Oh. please
don't think I'm ungrateful, but you
must not come with me. I can't tell
you why "
"I hate to let you go back to that
street by yourself, frightened as you
are." he said, uncertainly. "But if you
Insist, of course don't think you owe
me much. I merely saved that little
lavalliere and wrist watch you're wear
ing." "Oh, no, it was much more than that"
she halted, biting her lips. "Won't
you tell me your name and where you
live?" she hurried on. "I want to know,
really, for maybe"
"Ton might reward me?" There was
a gentle raillery in his tone. "No, thank
yon."
"I didn't mean that," she protested.
"Of course not," he assured her. "But
I really can't give you my name, for
Tzn changing it in a little while, and I
fcaven't decided on Just what the new
one will be. Oh, that's a fact, queer as
It may sound."
Then, appreciating the bewilderment
of the girl, he laughed. He bad a nice
laugh. "Just let me be a pleasant mem
ory, won't you? I rather like that," he
murmured. "A pleasant memory!"
Rescuer la Deserted.
"I don't quite understand you," she
said a little stiffly. "And I'm sorry
that you won't tell me who you are."
"I'm the pleasant memory," he broke
In.
"Very well, Mr. Pleasant Memory.
Then I'll have to say good night, and
thank you. Oh, ples.se" In sudden
BMP y hzMkki?
warmth "don't believe I'm not grate
ful" The girl, with, hurrying, stumbling
footsteps, fled down the avenue, stop
ping before the gloomy mansion in
front of which she had been seized half
an hour before. Bending quickly, she
fumbled at her stocking. When she
straightened again she had whipped
from a leather holster at her ankle a
diminutive, businesslike automatic re
volver. Holding this rigidly in her
hand, she crept toward an entrance In
the areaway.
With the same caution which had
marked her previous movements, the
girl crept along the hall through
shrouded rooms, in which gaunt pieces
of furniture loomed like phantoms on a
carouse.
The Womaa oat the Roman Conch.
Evidently satisfying herself that
there was nothing to fear, she went up
the side stairway which led from the
reception hall with freer movements. In
front of a double door on the second
floor she halted. Then she slipped a
key into the lock and flung the door
back. With "the gesture of a creature
nerved to hateful daring she wormed
her way into the room, locking the
door behind her with quick movements.
Then as her eyes roved over the amaz
ing apartment into which she had come
she breathed easier, and the color
ebbed back into her face. Twisting
angrily on a Roman couch in a corner
of this room was the fig-ace of a giant
woman. A scarf of yellow silk was
wound about her face. Her feet were
bound together with a clothesline,
which was fastened to the leg of a
bookcase nearby.
When the girl entered and curried
toward the candelabrum, whose single
ray scattered a streamer of flame about
the motley yellow and black walls, the
captive was staring at a curtain over a
French window which stretched above
the porte-cochere outside. She leered
up with eyes red with hate as the sew.
comer leaned over her.
"Poor dear. I'm sorry I was so long,
but someone I think it was the man
who was here last night tried to grab
me outside. Another man knocked him
down, and I guess he ran away."
The captive twisted weakly at her
bonds, throwing her great head from
side to side.
The girl put out her hand impul
sively. "If youll promise not to make an
outcry I'll take that gag off." she said.
"Promise, won't you? I'll get you some
tea before I go, and I'll let someone
know you are here. I don't know how
yet. but I will "
The woman shook her head.
"I'm sorry. If you won't promise I'll
have to leave you the way you are."
She turned toward a bookcase that
set deeply in the wall. Piling the books
from a shelf near the floor beside her
she felt the paneled back.
Then as the panel, slid back, reveal
ing a compartment in which rested a
steel box, she signed happily. The
woman on the couch gurgled.
The girl, rising, went over to her.
"Will you promise not to scream?"
ehe asked again. The captive promised
with a sudden nod.
"That's better," the girl encouraged
her. "But, remember. If you break your
word 111 use this," and she slipped out
the businesslike revolver.
"There." she said with satisfaction
after making a cup of tea, "that's bet
ter. I'm sorry I've got to leave you tied
like this, but I'll try to make you a lit
tle more comfortable before I go."
"Ton won't get very far. miss." the
woman said. "I'll get you if it's the last
thing I do in this world. Youll double
cross me, will you? Well, you ain't big
enough"
"You tried to" the girl interrupted.
Oh. I did, did I?"
"Yes, you did, and if you come after
me, or tell the police and they get me,
I'll tell how you and that man schemed
to steal"
"And you think: you'll be believed, y
scut, do you? Y think anyone will lis-
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ten to a fly-by-night Jlke you" her
voice rose In angry rage.
"I'm not I'm not." the girl cried.
"I'm none of those things you say I am.
Here," she said, "drink this tea if you
want it."
"All right." The big woman sucked
in the flagrant liquid with noisy gulps.
"Gimme more o that tea," the cap
tive requested.
The girl turned to refill the cup.
The black velvet curtains over the
French window billowed gently. A
golden dragon on one panel squirmed
upward. ' A silver crane on the other
stirred a long-necked head uneasily.
Neither of ther women noticed It. A
man's hand crept gently into sight
and disappeared again.
Bending over the woman, the girl
tilted the refilled cup. With a quick
twist of her head the captive sent it
flying, snapping with her teeth at the
girl's hand. 8he caught a white thumb
and pressed it cruelly.
"Now." she mumbled in triumph,
"untie my hands quick!"
"I won't I won't!" The girl beat
desperately against the square, hard
face beneath her. prying with helpless
fingers at the steel Jaw.
"I'll bite your thumb off!"
A drop of crimson trickled over the
girl's hand. With a moan she began
fumbling at the twisted knot over the
other's wrists.
Eater the )Ua la a Maahu
Again the somber curtains were rent.
This time a man's body squirmed si
lently Into the room. As he leaped
forward the woman on the couch
opened her heavy Jaws. The girl fell in
a huddle on the floor.
The Intruder, who was tall and
slender, wore a mask which covered
his face to the chin. He glared down
at the sullen woman on the couch
"You savage!" he said, softly. "What
do you think you are. a cannibal?"
"Wbo're you?" she flung back.
"Another crook?"
"Another?" he asked. "Heavens! la
this a convention?"
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He leaned ever the girl and placed
a hand on her head. She looked up
with painstrlcken eyes and screamed.
"Good Lord!" he gasped. "You!"
Then his hand, seeking his face, felt
gingerly of the mask. "Ob, surely."
he apologized. "I forgot this. XU bet
I look like the devlL"
"Don't yell." he added, as the girl
opened her lips again. "I'm not going
to bite you. too."
The girl, stifling her sobs, crouched
toward the wall.
"Wh-a-it do you want?" she
gasred.
"1 was Just passing and decided to
call." he answered with elaborate
sarcasm. "What do you Imagine any
masked gentleman equipped with field
artillery who tear his way through
a grated window at one o'clock la the
morning wants?"
The Otrl Diaewvere ta Aeajaalataae.
The girl lunged suddenly and pressed
her hand against a button.
"Spare yourself." the young man
laughed. "The burglar alarm Is out
of business. That's always the first
thing I attend to."
"Now, would you mind telling me
Just who In thunder you are?" You
look like Othello's wife or the original
witch of Endor."
The captive glared up with cold,
malevolent eyes.
"I'm a witch, am I?" she asked him.
"Well. I'm no crook like you and
that"
"Turn around, please!" The girl
spoke in a voice whose fiber made the
masked man whirl suddenly. He
found himself looking Into the muzzle
of the UlUe businesslike automatlo re
volver. "Sit down there." The girl spoke In a
toneless voice. The masked man hesi
tated only a moment. Something which
he saw in her set eyes made him sink
Into the chair she was Indicating with
an uneasy laugh.
"Stucg!" be exclaimed. "But now that
you've got me here, my maid of mys
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tery, what are you going to do with
mer
Tin going to to turn you over to
the police."
"My wort fears are realized." be
mourned. "But please give roe Just a
Utile chance. Tou aren't acting like
a nice young person should, really "
"Police bah ! The woman on the
couch, straining her muscular neck
against the rope which held her. spoke
with Infinite scorn. "She turn you over
to the police! Why. she's a crook"
"Eh crook ! Tou?" The young man
started suddenly, and something ia the
action stung the girl with a sense of
having seen him before.
Take off your mask." she ordered.
"I'd rather not. If It's the same to
you."
Tske It off!" Again something In the
girl's eyes made him act quickly.
"If the lady lnaiate." He whipped the
silken bandage from Ms face.
"Ah." she whlrpered when she rec
ognized hltn.
The little pleasant memory eon
verted Into an unpleasant reality." be
scoffed. "You see, we do meet again,
sooner than either of us expected, and
It's a dismal failure."
The girl stared at him In wan de
termination. ' I can't help it." she said, as if talk
ing to herself. T can't let you go. I
am going to lock you up In that closet
over there."
"Oh. that's all rlrht. little girL Pon'l
let it worry you. You're actlcg like a
womaa always does Just flnUh your
little game, whatever It Is, only be
quick about It."
"I must I must." Again she seemed
to be talking to herself.
"I'm a detective guarding this house."
The girt spoke hotly.
The big woman on the bed squirmed
uneasily and strove to speak, but race
evidently choked her. for she lay back
In a moment with a feeble nod of her
head.
"Well. kid. you've got me, and got
me good. You've certainly had a busy
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collection night of It. between that"
he codded toward the captive "end
me. You know, I'm not a regular union
burglar. I'm only a sort of weak ama
teur. Seeing you out In front when
I walloped that big person who had
you almost swerved me from my debut.
When I was running up the street with
you I felt that I could run and run to
the and of the earth If you only stayed
by me. Why. there was something
about you that seemed to radiate
squareness and honesty squareness
and honesty -do you get it? and wom
anhood. I thought of It as I was climb
ing In the window, and I nearly turned
back."
The girl's face trembled. Her eyes
were veiled with mlt and her out
stretched bar.d shook so the little
revolver dsngled up and down. With
out changing the tone of his voice the
man leaned over and twisted It sud
denly from her grip.
There!" he said. "I thought that
might be effective. Tell a woman she's
a saving acgal and she ceases to be
a thinking creature."
For a moment the girl stared. Then
she sack at his feet.
"Oh oh!" she cried. -Please forgive
me. I "
la Which Itc-velarUaa Are Desrea.
There was a crunching sound outside
the French window. The man held up
a warning hand and crept toward the
sound. The girl, hands presed against
her face, knelt In a rigid position. The
black curtains billowed apart and a
swarthy, unshaven visage came Into
view. The cunning watchfulness In the
twinkling eyes turned to terror as the
man Inside the window pressed the re
volver he had wrenched from the girl's
band against his forehead.
-Come on In." he Invited pleasantly.
"But come quietly."
"Henry Henry oh. IXnryT' The
massive woman on the bed cried out
the name hysterically. Then as the
anshorn squat person, with hands above
his head, stared In dumb bewilderment.
he began to weep loudly.
The young man who held the re
volver wss looking at the newcomer
with a perplexed exprelon. The lat
ter turned full toward him.
"Mr. Martin!" he cried. "For God's
sake!" His tone was one of mingled
consternation and fear.
"Tes. Henry. I guess so." The young
man scratched his heeed wearily. "I
recognise you now. Hut who. In
heaven's name. I that larce lady there,
who's sobbing about you?"
"That's my wife, sir my wlf.
Til be doggoned!" Ills eyes swept
from one figure to another, reetir.g
finally on the young woman etill on her
knees. -Wellr' He shrugseJ his shoul
ders. "We're all Idectined except you.
so I suppose you might as well tell us
your right name, end th-n I can put
this artillery away for the nlnt.
Henry, 'or the Jove of peace, untie your
wife there and tell her to shut up. The
police reserves will raid thia place tf
you don't."
Henry, with clumsy, tender hand, un
tied the ropes about his wife.
"I'm so tired. Henry. I'm so tired."
she welled.
Mr. Martin strode ui and down the
long room, his black mack twutlnc be
tween his handa. his expression one of
wild determination.
Teaeermlag the Ceetcala of a Teecte.
"What's your came" he bark4 at
the gltL
"M May rBlKn." she quavered.
Thank you. I'm delighted. He bowed
elaborately. "Henry, what are you and
your wife doing here? Gone to bur
gling?" "No that Is. yen. sir."
His wife rslsed her gnsrled fsce.
streaked with muddy tears.
Til tell you. Mr ah"
"Oh. Martin," he growled. "Go
ahead."
"Well. Tm an operative of the Pink
land Detective Agency, and our agency
always takes care of Mra Gileudlev'a
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.EUGENE ACKERMAN
house when she goes away. She's got
all this val'ble stuff here."
She waved an enormous arm vaguely
about the Incongruous room.
"T'f, he's her" Henry broke tn
eagerly.
"Never mind."
Mr. Martin's voice was ominously
sharp,
Tes. she's a fuf-rist beg. Goah. I
know that to my sorrow."
"Well, when Mra GUcudley left for
fan Francisco last week. Mr. Plnkland
had no men operatives. All of them
were working on the big garment
strike, so he eent me up cr.til he coulJ
get one of them back. He sent that
that" She pointed to the girl, who
had sunk to a sitting posture cn the
floor.
-How would Tsdy do?" ssegested
her listener.
"Maybe she assented doubtfully.
"Anyhow, she came to hely. and we've
been here for a week tonight. T know
the fine collection of vncut Jewels Mrs.
Gilcudley has? She keepe 'em la a
secret compartment la the house. She
won't even send 'era to a safe de
posit vault"
"I know all about the o'.d lady." he
broke In Impatiently.
"He's her" Henry esssyed again.
-Henry. I aurrese m have to choke
yoa to death In a minute."
"Me-ry ar.d me have fire children."
his wife went on. The money I earn
a!n't enough to keep 'em. partlcclarly
since little Henry has got consumption
and has got to have a back yard. Henry
ueed to be the butler Tor Mrs. Gll"
cud'.ey. and when he got slcij, f !v rears
aro I went to work for Mr. Plr.kland.
I'm hie. and he uses me in Jots cf
c!' where strong women are needed.
My huehanj can t work much because
cf Ms hack. So when he found out thst
I had this Job we talked It over. He
knew where them Jewels were. he
thought, and last night him and mo
looked around and found the place.
We wan t going to take 'em all. We
wanted Juet enouKh to lake us out
t Henry a grocery store and
11 cf us a house with a rack yard,
where l.ttle Henry could grow cj.
"So Henry found a man ho would
buy the Jewels, and he gave rr.e a bet-
tie cf sleeping stuff to give that that
girl, so ehe wouldn't bother us. and
I -ass to let him In st o'clock tonight.
I drank some tea laet e.ght wi:h that
that Plrl. and when I aweke thsa
noon I was tied up."
-When ehe dlcn t let me In tonight,
like she said she would. 1 thought
something had hrrened. broke In
lienry. "So 1 waited around outside.
I aw the your.g woman corr.irg wp
tr.J I grabfcej her. l-.ter.d:ng to get her
Into the areaway and make her let
n-.e In. Somebody jurr.r-ed la and
knocked rr.e down, and then both cf
them ran away. heard someone com
ing and 1 ran. too. tl-.lrktcg It was a
policeman.
"After a while I came bacj, and I
saw aorr.ehc.ily 1 guea it was yoa. Mr.
.':art:n climbing la that window over
the carrny out there. 1 waited a while
anl then I followed. 1 heard tcrr.eone
ta!k::i' and was Just goln' to peck In
and here 1 am." he fir.hed glurr.lx.
Mr. Martin ntapoaew ef ame Jewels.
Mr. Martin nodded with a thouchtful
eipre.clon. ihe he turned toward the
girl.
"Now you. rleafe."
She twseted her hand tTclher. Thn
he faced him bravely.
"It's really r.or.e of our business."
she said. "I don't know who you are.
but I seem to be the ouly cr.e in
Ignorance. I'll tell yoa the ret of it.
1 wcrk for Flnkland. too. sometime
as a eneak. sometimes as a tyrit. for
both of mhlch taase I get tlO a week.
I hate it all. I ante the d:rty work,
the rail helroon-. I live m. the perple
I m forced to know. I hate everylhlnc
a IlC-a-week girl has to stand. Her
vo.ee wss harsh wita bitterness.
"I'd be bad." she went on. terr.peatu
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