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About Ashland tidings. (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1915)
Thursday, February 11, 1915 ASHLAND TIDINGS PAGE SETEIf A Great Mystic Story by Harold McGrath Copyright, 1914, by Harold McGrath. SYNOPSIS. Zudora Is left an orphan at an early age. Her father ta killed In a gold mine. Zudora and the fortune from the mine, which grow i to be worth 120.000,000, are left In the guardianship of Frank Keene. Zudora's mother's brother. Zudora. giv ing "promise of great beauty, reaches the age of eighteen. The uncle, who has set himself up as a Hindu mystic and Is known as Hassam All, decides that Zu dora must die before she can have a chance to come Into possession of her money, so that It may be left to him, the next of kin. Hassam All sees an obstacle to his scheme In the person of John Btorm, a young lawyer, for whom Zu dora has taken a fancy, and he com mands the girl to put the man out of her mind. Zudora Insists that If she cannot marry Storm she will marry no one. "Well, well," says Hassam All, "If you take aucb a stand I'll compromise. Solve my next twenty cases and you can marry blm: fall In a single case and you must renounce him." Zudora, using the knowledge gained from years of association with her uncle, unravels a baffling mystery and wins her first case a case In which John Storm Is saved from being convicted of a murder Instigated by Hassam All himself. Zudora and Hassam Alt visit Nabok Chan's house, where sleep overcomes ev ery one whenever Nabok attempts to mar ry princess. Storm, seeking Zudora, is made a prisoner. Zudora foils Nabok Bhan, restores the princess to her original lover and saves Sturm from death. A maker of diamonds tells Hassam All his secret. Storm Informs Zudora that his life la being attempted frequently Storm suspects Hassam All. Storm Is arrested for stealing the diamond maker's gems, but -Zudora discovers the real thieves a pair of mice. The negro help employed on Storm's father's farm are fleeing because a great skeleton hand appears at night upon a bill near by. Storm Is baffled In his In vestigation, but Zudora learns that her uncle has employed Jimmy Bolton, a half wltted man, thus to annoy Storm's par ents. Zudora finds Bolton operating a big magic lantern and Is attacked by him. Storm opportunely appears and saves ber from Bolton. Hassam All asks Zudora to find a gem lost by two mysterious old men. Zudora gets m photograph of the gem and It burns In her hand. An old house Is mined by Hassam All and the old men. Storm and Zudora are lured there and narrowly es cape destruction when the house blows up. John McWInter, endeavoring to trap and kill Oeorge Smith, Is killed himself, and Smith la charged with murder. Hassam All conspires to have John Storm meet the same fate as McWInter, and be and Storm are overcome by powerful fumes. Eudora saves them.' proves that McWIn tefa own dog trapped and killed him and saves Smith from a band of lynchers. An Inventor blows up a submarine with powerful heat ray which he sends through wster. Hassam Alt sends Zudora to a photographer directly beneath the In ventor's laboratory and orders the In ventor to kill her Zudora gets a warning, and her life Is saved. The heat ray ma chine Is destroyed, and the photographer, after a quarrel with Hassam Ail, Is found dead In the river. Wu Chang prevents Zudora's elopement with John Storm by hypnotizing her, and he and Hassam All attempt to smuggle her out of the country. This plot Is frus trated by Storm. CHAPTER IX. The Missing Heir. THERE whs some thins strange about this mun Hassam Alt There were times when be seeiued young, times when be Seemed old. rare worn, broken. Zudora thought nothing of these subtle changes, however. Her mind was oc cupied with other affairs. But Has am All's servant knew .what it sig nified, and be boarded bis savings gainst that day when be would have no muster. For a long time Hie knew that It wan not Bassain All who Went forth from the mystic room, but Has sam All's double, and a very danger ous double, bad Hnssam All known.' Tbe man was fond of money, though be was not quite tbe miner Hassan) was. But often, while In tbe mystic room, going through the mummery be disliked and despised,' be could bear tbe real Haasatu roaming his gold. it f t ! 1 X mm , Zudora Was' an Extremely Attractive . Young Woman. which Baird determined some day to get bold of. He lived In tbe bouse dJ tettiy back of the mystic house, and there was a secret tunnel between the two bouses. In the beginning be bud followed ont Hassam All's orders without any par ticular notice of tbe victim, but after the affair of Wn Chang. Kulrd awoke to the fact that Zudora was an ex tremely attractive young woman. Thus bis Interest in doing away with John Storm egan to have something more than a negligible Interest. But Zu dora! That was another matter after he began to recognize tbat his heart beat faster whenever she came into his presence. - it was fortunate that Hnssam All wan by jntnre cold and undemonstrative in tbe matter of be stowing affection. Baird longed to touch her, but, knowing bis part, dared not, Hassam All's long black hair was, H8 Zudora very well knew, nothing but a wig. Except that Bulrd'B skin wna a little fresher, be and Hussum All might easily have posted as twins. ' There was no occasion for Zudora, then, to look upon this substitute for her uncle with suspicion. Sbe begun to suspect seriously bis attitude, but not bis per sonality. So Baird hanked the fires in bis eyes and endeuvored to ttiluk of her as little as possible. But thoughts are masters, and tbey lead us whither they will. One day be entered tbe secret cbam ber'at tbe foot of tbe sbuft to confer with tbe real Hassam All, who lay upon a cot. "How do you feel today?" "Badly." suld Zudora's uncle. "Ton have failed three times." "I have done no better, no worse. than you, If that Is what you mean," laid Baird without much humility. "1 bare told you that Zudora bears a cburmed life. Luck is always ltb ber. and Jobu Storm stands at present In the light of this luck." "You are a fool, BnlrdP snarled the sick man. "You are falling In love with Zudora. 1 may be 111. hut 1 am not blind. She is not for you. Don't waste your valuable tJuie with any thought like that I tell you she must die. I bate her!" "You bare promised that If yon should die what you have would be come "mine." said Baird. "You have promised to make me your beir. I have seen tbat will, but wills can be torn np and rewritten". Hassam All rubbed bis hands togeth er. "So tbey can." he said, "so tiiey can. 1 don't quite like the tone you use today. Do you think 1 am morl bund? Are you looking speculatively at my shoes? Jim, If you make tbe leust misstep I'll break you as easily as I could a church warded pipe, Amed knows aud my attorney knows. If 1 disappear mysteriously aud don't return" Hassam Ali.drew his finger around bis throat suggestively. But if 1 rid you of this girl what are you going to do with all tbat gold- millions? You're a miser, and we both know It," Perhaps 1 want the gold to play with," grinned Hassam All. "1 bad uo playthings when 1 was a child; I was too poor. Uo along. I've talked enough." peevishly. "There Is another little secret," said Baird. Oh, there Is? And what might it ber - "Diamonds." Hassam All sat np stiffly. "What tbe devil do you mean?" "Zudora's father once had partner who went to Brazil. This partner found brilliants of a high order. She has a half Interest In this mine with out knowing such a thing exists." Hassam All lay buck. "1 bare wont ed you. Now. gu and send Ahmed with my ten." t Baird returned to tbe mystic room, bis' mind awhirl witb a thousand schemes. He played bis little comedy witb Zudora, saw some patients, and later took tbe evening paper. Upon tbe front page bo read a bit of news that Interested htm. The Van Wick child, beir to the Van Wick millions, had been kidnaped despite all tbe precau tionary measures to prevent such a catastrophe. "So they're done It!" be mused aloud. unthinkingly. "Doue wbnt?" asked Zudora. "Kidnaped tbe Van Wick child. There may be a little work for us, my child a little work for us. I think that I'll go downtown andsmnke a few Investigations before they come to us." For one thing, he wanted to get away from Zudora. All these thoughts of ber were crowding dungerously near action. A misstep at this time would bring his bouse of cards tumbling about bis bead. He proceeded to a house situated in a seraif.ishtonnble district and rang for admittance. The servant admitted him without ques tion. This bouse was tbe residence of a woman who called herself Mine. Du Val. Tbe fall of her late confederate, Wu Chang, tbe hypnotic opium smug gler, bad not Implicated her. Sbe bud made ber escape before tbe police bud battered their way Into the Cbang house. Sbe came Into tbe drawing room to Bnd Baird, sans wig and mukeup; In fact, himself. He, was In the middle thirties, and certain kinds of women would call blm fascinating. "Jim?" "Yes. So you've accomplished tbe feat In spite of the private detectives?" "What do you mean?" innocently. "Come, come, Nora; between you and me tbere should be no secrets. 1 mean tbe Van Wick child. You've got blm." So we have. And it will take a hun dred thousand to get blm back. I'm getting a little tired of this career. 1 want enough to live in simple comfort in France. Do you know, Jim, tbat you ure a One looking mnuV" Baird shrugged. ' ' "And that if you'll listen to me this girl Zudora ahull vanish so completely that she'll be as hard to And as a puff of smoke? And when that Is done by by to Hassam All, whom I've al ways twted. He's us cold blooded aa a Ash. Millions, boy. for both of usl Travel nud luxury:" Sbe sat down beside tbe man. She was itneleninhly handsome, but Btiird bnd seen tigers equally as handsome. And even as he gazed upon her tbe dreamy face or Zudora seemed to flit past "But there is one man we must get rid of absolutely before we make any attempt upon the girl," he said. "Storm? You will never get him voept through Zudora. With the girl as a lure you can bring Storm into any kind of a spider web." Baird felt himself pulled in two ways. To even lilut to this woman that be desired to sbleld Zudora for purposes of his otru would be the sign ing of Zudora's dentb warrant And ret be ueeded Mine. Du Vnl. for sbe hud control of na organization whose ramifications reached across the conti nent He wanted John Storm out of 'he wny,aud Mine. DU Vnl was the one ultimately to accomplish this. "Well, what is your plan lu regard to Zudora?" he asked curiously. "I could very easily send Zudora off on the same train with the Van Wick :hlld." "Ah. yes. That Is easy enough to say. But bow to get ber to tbe train?" "Sbe does not know me. At least I ion't think sbe saw me nt Chicago. 1 will give a ball. Oh, you- need not smile. I live two lives. If you will. In 'V-.. : .,. f, ' t V I I v " 1 r I i y I j I man to leave any stone unturned to recover his boy, the apple of bis eye. So be and Mrs. Van Wick decided to pay Hassam Ail a visit Tbey sum moned -tbe car and started out for Flassam All's bouse. Zudora Impress ed tbem both far more than the mystic hlmseir. "Do you think you can help us?" "My niece will see what she can Jo." said Hassam Alt. or rather Has jam All's double. "But a young woman!" said Van Wick doubtfully. Hassam All laughed. "She may look fragile, but wire looks fragile." "But these men are desperate charac ters." "And will be tbe lust people in tbe world to suspect a fragile young wo man of being on their trail." "Don't worry over the fact tbut I am a woman." said Zudora. smiling. "I can take care of myself. I have been able to do so thus far. if it Is possi ble to find the boy I'll do It" "And remember." suld the father, "there is no depth to my poeketbook so .far as that boy is concerned. But God help those dastards if they are cruel to him! Well, we'll trust tbe cuse to you. Miss Miss" "Keene," suld Zudora. "Zudora Keene." "Good luck, and God bless you. Zu- lora Keene," said the mother. Poor tiling!" Bald Zudora, when the parents hud gone. "The most despica ble being In the world Is a kidnaper. It is a vile game; and these men should suffer the exuet fate of murderers. Think of the little boy, suddeuly bereft of mother love, surrounded by strange. menacing faces! It is horrible!" The psiiedo uncle looked nt her with strange fires In his eyes. He admitted that kidnaping was a low crime so far as taking children away from their parents and holding them tor ransom, with threats of mutilation or death. He did not add, however, that between kidnaping and abduction there was a wide difference In significance. Tbe truth Is, Baird was wearying of this game he was playing. He wanted to be himself, to play a game of his own; be was young, and be wanted the lib erty that went with youth. There was oo doubt In his mind that Keene, tbe real Hassam All, was dying. He mlgbt 'My niece will aee what she can do," said Hassam Ali, my own borne I am a woman of com fortable Income, who Indulges in mys tics na a pastime. Muuy noted people come to my house. And I re an Idea of one way of brlnglug Zudora. I will send her an Invitation. You will urge ber to come, but not Insistently. She will then receive an anonymous note saying that If sbe wishes to know wbnt bus become of the Van Wick boy she ill find the Information nt my bouse. Oh, nothing will point to me. 1 know my business." "Ill bare to admit that." said Baird. listening. , When be bud these chats with Mme. Du Val be was not always sore that there was not a third person somewhere near. But be never com mitted himself, never "confessed thnt be was not Hnssam All. In certain degrees be admired this hnndsome wo man, but there was always a bit of fear of ber. "Your idea isn't a bad one." "I'll give tbe ball on a chance, any how. It Is up to you, Jim, If you wish to make use of the Idea." , Alone, tbe woman smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. Tbere was no man In tbe world wbo codld fool her. Baird was fulling in love with Zu dora. and woe to the little fool for crossing her path, even If unconscious ly. She wanted Jim Baird for ber own. and she was determined to clear tbe path of all obstacles In his direc tion. Zudora off tbe scene, sbe wns quite. confident t,bat ber own powers of attraction would not fall upon bar ren ground. The Van Wick family was distract ed. Despite precautions Chat bad cost thousands, tbe boy bnd been stolen. The father kuew that to recover tbe boy he would have to dig deep into bis purse. That be was willing enough to do, but what he" wanted to be sure of was tbat the payment should be final. He did not wish to be bounded nud pursued by that terror of uncer tainty, of suspense. He was willing to pay In pride and money, but be wanted security and peace In return. Tbe police were scouring tbe city, but tbey found not tbe slightest clew to tbe whercatwuts of tbe boy or of the character or the abductors. After n week of misery some friend suggest-t-d that tbe services of one Hassam All. the mystic detective, or tbe serv ices ot his niece should be secured. Tbe father was reluctant, for he beld nil these mystics na contemptible mountebanks who thrived upon tbe rrednllty ot fools - But tbe metropoli tan police bad failed, and be wis not j Am Zudora Was Warmly Welcomed by Mme. Du Val. live for several months, but neverthe less he bad bis ticket for tbe long Journey. Bulrd determined to pluy tbe gume out to tbe end; for Hassam All hud promised blm a handsome bit of money for tls loyalty. He bnd seen tbe will, but not without a certain doubt. Wills could be destroyed quite as easily as tbey could be made. When Zudora received tbe invitation to Mme, Du Vat's ball she was puz zled. She bad among ber acquaint ance no woman of that name. But she found ber name In tbe blue book and decided to attend out of mere cu rloslty. Sbe colled up Storm and asked bis advice and was surprised to learn that he bad been invited also. "I think we'd better ignore it," he, advised. "But I bave so little arausementr she pleaded. "And It will be a lark for both or us." "All right, sweethenrt; we'll go. In deed, I'd like to find out why we both were invited." Zudora went about tbe house next day humming. So long as John wna going sbe wns bound to bave a good time ut the Du Val ball. It would he as she bad said, a lurk. Then came the mysterious note warning ber to keep uway from tbe Du Vnl bouse, ii nd this note was signed, VFrom one wbo knows where the Van Wick boy Is." Nothing, Zudora determined, could keep her away now. Even In this short time It was evident thnt tbe kidnapers had beard that ber services hud been enguged. and it looked ns ir tbey reared sbe would pick up some Information at tbe Du Val bull. Or this note she said nothing to cither Storm or her uncle. On tbe night or tbe ball she wns rather surprised to learn thut Hassam All was also going. "But were you Invited, uncle?" "I wns, Indeed. I wrote and asked for nn Invitation," suld Bnlrd blandly. "Is Storm going to cnll here for you?' He Is." "In spite of my protests?" "He will not be accepting your hos pitality. He will merely wntt nntll I fome down. And It would be a very rincious act on your pnrt. Uncle Frank, to go with us." "And bave a fisticuff in the cab!" I onuuily. "Suit ysurself, then. The sooner you understand that I am determined to marry Storm, in spite of all your ob jections, tbe sooner peace will come to this bouse." Baird bad good control over himself. It wns very difficult to resist the chnrm of this high, spirited girl. He silently cursed tbe real Hnssam All for outlining a cold aloofuess towurd this girl. Well. In a little while be would be free or this damnable wig and tbe painted lines ou bis face and tbe stoop in bis shoulders. Neither Zudora nor Storm saw any one tbey knew well, but the music wns good, and they enjoyed tbe danc ing. Zudora was warmly welcomed by Mme. Du Val. Tbey saw Hassam All at tbe beginning or tbe festivities, but after tbe first dunce be vanished. And with good reason. He hnd dodg ed into a dressing room and removed bis Uassnm All mukeup. determined to meet Zudora under his own colors. He bad played a hard but clever game, controlling both his fnclnl muscles and the tone ot his voice. He was rca- sonnbly positive that .Zudora would not bave tbe least idea what or wbo be wns. He immediately sought Mine. Du Val. "I wnnt an Introduction to Zudora." he said. "An introduction to Zudora! Good heavens. 1 torgotl Of course sbe will not recognize you. So you want nn Introduction? You shall have it And now listen carefully. The men are bnck of the wall lending to the con servatory. The wall has a secret door. At 10 o'clock promptly you must ma- neurer ber over tbere. At the snme time 1 will occupy John Storm, keep blm busy. When be finally misses Zu dorn be will not be able to point In any way to me." "I cet the point. But if 6be begins to ask questions, due to tbut mysterl ous note of yours nbout tbe boy Van Wick?" Mma Du Val smiled. "Leave alt the details to me. my friend. Tomorrow your Zudora will be Just where you want her." Under ber breath sue udu ed: "I'erhnpB!" "Very well; Introduce me." And un der his breath be added: "You tiger cat! You mean some trickery that I shan't be In on. But If you barm one bnlr or her bead!" Still, bis Hps were smiling all tbe while. The Introduction took place. That Instinctive warning as of old did not stir Zudora. This rather agreeable young mun in no wtee creuted any sus picion in her mind. And wnen sne accepted an Inritation to dance she was pleased to Hud a nimble dancer. Storm, however, did not take to this new man. As a matter of fact be did not tuke to any young man where Zu dora wus concerned. So he fretted and fumed during tbe dance und regretted thnt he bud been persuaded to come. Mme. Du Val talked, but he never could recall what site tulked about. Finally Bulrd brought Zudora back, bowed and made off elsewhere, rather sntislled thnt be bnd mude some Im pression upon bis whilom niece. "Come." suld inndame to both Zudora and Storm, "let us go to the conserva tory. 1 have some remarkable or chids." She led the way. and It occurred to ber that this moment would be us good as any. She rather wanted Baird out or the way while disposing or Zudora. In the corridor there was a wnll sent. The entruuee to the conservatory wns at the other end ot the corridor. "Let us sit here for a moment, said tbe hostess. "Mr. Storm will get us an ice. nud then we'll take a look at the orchids." Tbe two women sat down and Storm hurried off toward tbe eupper room. Mme. Du Val leaned back and absent ly tapped the wall with ber fan. "Walt Just a moment," sbe said, ris ing. "I will get you an orchid before Mr. Storm returns." Zudora watched ber complacently. She sensed no danger whatever. Per haps ber mind was too busy with this problem of tbe Van Wick boy. Some one In this bouse knew; some one had warned her to keep away. Sbe won dered If sbe dared tell Mme. Du Val. wbo seemed, to be an agreeable crea ture. Sbe beard a slight sound and turned. Immediately she was seized by strong arms. A hand covered ber mouth and she was drawn - swiftly behind the wall, wblcb closed Instantly Into pluce again. Sbe felt ber hands aud ankles tieliig tied, and she wns blindfolded and gagged. No one spoke. She was Ices to flDd the bench deserted. He sar i down the dishes griiiubliiigly and went! out to tbe ballroom. He saw Mme. Do Val and this stranger Baird talking pleasantly. "Madame, where Is Miss Keene?" "Why, didn't sbe run after you to tell you to bring coffee Instead of lees? 1! left ber Just aa sbe departed for tbi refreshment room. Doubtless yoa will! And her l here." Storm rushed away, not at all pleas ed witb events. Tbere was no Zudora in tbe supper room; there was no Zo-. dora anywhere to be round. Then his suspicions were rally aroused. Ht , knew now. Hnssam All was buck of, all this. lie approached Mme. Du Vnl. "Where! is Miss Keene's uncle, tlnssuin AUK" "Hassam All?" she repeated. "Ob. he left shortly after tbe first! dance," said Baird. "He seemed HI."! He turned to Mine. Du Val. "What) made you Invite mat contemptible oldii fnker?" Storm found thnt bis dislike for Bnlrdu was not so strong as nt the beginning-! VwjKtF A 111 VViXaV. "Tomorrow your Zudora will be just where you want her." lifted np and carried through a secret passageway. Then sbe smelled the ilcklsb odor of chloroform, and after that-blnnknesa. When she came to she was In a small room. She was still bllmirolded, but her ears were alive, nd she could bear tbe plaintive sob bing of a i't '-I. Meantime .norm returned witb the 1.X V. ; V -V . h ..a J BJtJtriTii-iM ni..,ii. .. 'i inn nili To the Arms of John Storm. Any one wbo called tlaasum All con-t teiuptible bud at least somu uttrlbuta In common witb himself. "1 wilt inquire ir the young lady hast been to the dressing room,'' said Mme. Du Val. moving off. Hut Zudora's cloak aud scarf wera still ou tbe bed lu the dressing room. That was enough tor Sturm, lie lefc the house Immediately und drove to police headquarters. Upon his departure from the Du Vat house Bulrd resumed bis Hnssam Alb disguise and returned Home. Zudons. wus his. lie coucloilcil to make hi patron a visit. The real Hassam All wus evidently sinking. To Bulrd'st eyes the mask of dentb a I ready my upon the pinched features; me minis alone nus vigorous. "Keene, you ure on yoni deathbed." "Am 1 indeed?" Ironically. A Ut oB coughing followed, and tiussuui All writhed upon his cot The Hassuiu .Mi standing over him frowned. ' "Where Is Ihe will?" he asked. "Do you wish to murder me t" "In God's name, no; lint you are dying, und I've done all your work on promises of the future, iuii know thut you are dying." "Where Is Zudora?" "She la lu the bunds of Mme. Dm Val." "You will he a pauper, my man, IB you fall tills tune. She must die. die!" "No, she shall not die. You are not a human being: you are a fiend! Zov doru shall not die for the simple fact tbat I bave grown to love ber!" "Grown in love tier!" Keene fell bnck, looking as if he were really dead this time. Bulrd left the cbnmlier. augry wltbt himself for having given tbe old scoundrel a glimpse of his heart. But be wus dying, there was uo doubt ot It at all. Zudora, together with the Van Wick: boy, were taken away from tbe base ment where they hnd been conBuedL and from the whispers floating about Zudora understood that tbey were to be conveyed to a ship of some sort. Sbe understood (or thought she did now; she bud been lured to the Du Val place for tbe purpose of abduction. Tbe scoundrels wbo bnd ktduniied tbo Van Wick child feared ber. Whether Mme. Du Val bud uuy pluce lu tb affair she was not rendy to determine, but It wns rather odd thnt a good wo man should lire lu a house with secret rooms aud exits. It wua through a simple conn try man's ularm thnt Zudora and the child were brought bnck to the world again. The old mnu hud rend nbout the ab duction, and the sight of a pathetic little boy being carried u board a ca boose ou a siding was enough to set bis suspicion Into lively action. U telephoned tbe police, wbo lu turn warucd tbe metropolitan force And) that Is bow Storm and the detectives arrived In time to prevent tbe catns trophe. The kldnnpcrs put np a strenuous battle, and nearly all of them were cap-' tured. Bulrd alone escaping. But strange to relnte, Bulrd bnd taken sides with tbe police. In reality It signified thnt tbe turn In tbe road had taken pluce. Baird wunted to be good, waul ed to go bnck to tbe world again wills clenn hands and guard Ihe woman b bad grown to love. It dug Into nla very soul to turn this woman over to tbe arms of Jobu Storm, but be did so. That night Ilassam All died In his little cell, and with biiu died b'js dou ble, for never again would Baird don that black shining wig which he bated. I TO US CONTIJIOED.J