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1 1 tin aiiiyi mfrii ''-' " "t " ' W'""" THE NEWS-HERALD, HIllLSBORO, OHIO, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1614: tit "'y',vrt,-yj-'j II- ft The Million Dollar Mystery By HAROLD MAG GRATH Illustrated from Scenes in the Photo Drama of tha Same Name by the Thanhouser Film Company (Copyright, 1911, Xtj "Those new tens and twenties, ir I stumble on that right, why, I can turn It over without conflicting with the other story." -Well, go to It." "I'm turning In my regular work, day in and day out, and while doing it I've gone through more hairbreadth escapes than you ever heard of. They have been after me. I've dodged fall ing safes; I've been shanghaied, poi soned; but I haven't said a word." "Good Lord! Do you mean all that?" "Every word, sir." "I'll make it ninety days, Jim; and if this story comes in I'll see that you get a corking bonus." "I'm not looking for bonuses. I'm proud of my work. To get this 3tory is all I want. That'll be enough. Thanks for the extension in time. Good-night." So Florence received a long night letter in the morning. And the doctor arrived at about the same time. And called promptly upon his patient. "Fine!" he said. "The sea air was Just the thing. A doctor always likes to find his advice turning out well." He glanced quizzically at Florence, who was the picture of glowing health. Suddenly he frowned anxiously. "You need not look at me," she laughed. "I never felt better In all my life." "Are you sure?" he asked gravely. "Why, what in the world do you mean?" He did not speak, but stepped for ward and took her by the wrist, hold ing his watch in his other hand. He shook his head. He looked very solemn, Indeed. "What is it?" demanded Susan, with growing terror. "Go to your own room immediately and remain there for the present," he ordered. "I must see Miss Hargreave alone." He opened the door and Susan passed out bewllderedly. He returned to Florence, who was even more bewil dered than her companion. The doc tor began to ask her questions; how she slept, if she was thirsty, felt pains in her back. She answered all these questions vaguely. Not the slightest suspicion entered her head that she was being hoodwinked. Why should she entertain any suspicion? This doctor, who seemed kindly and benev olent, who had prescribed for Susan and benefited her, why should she doubt blm? , "In heaven's name, tell mo what is the matter?" she pleaded. "Stay here for a little while and I'll be back. Under no circumstances leave your room till I return." He paced out into the hall, to meet the frantic Susan. "We must see the manager at once,'' he replied to her queries. "And we must be extremely quiet about it. There must be no excitement You had better go to your room. You must not go Into Miss Hargreave's. Tell me, where have you been? Have you been trying to do any charitable work among the poorer classes?" "Only once," admitted Susan, now on the verge of tears. "Only once is sufficient. Come; we'll go and see the manager to gether." They arrived at the desk, and the manager was summoned. "I take it," began the doctor lowly, "that a contagious disease, if it De- Had No Suspicion That She Was Be ing Hoodwinked. came known among your guests, would create a good deal of disturb ance?" "Disturbance! Good heavens, man, it would ruin my business for tho whole season!" exclaimed the astound ed manager. "I am sorry, but this young lady's companion has been stricken with smallpox " The manager fell back against his desk, his Jaw fallen. Susan turned as white as the marble top. "The only way to avoid trouble la to have her conveyed immediately to somo place where Bha can be treated properly. Not a word to any one now; absolute secrecy or a panic." Harold MacOratfe) The manager was glad enough to agree. "She is not dangerous at present, but it is only a matter of a few hours when the disease will become virulent. If you will place a porl-r before Mlsa Hargreave's door till I make arrange ments to take her a ay, that will simplify matters." , Smallpox! Susan w-irtered aimless ly about, half out o lier mind with terror. There was no help against such a dread disease. Her Florence, her pretty rosy cheeked Florence, dis figured for life . . .! "Miss Susan, where is Florence?" "O, Mr. Norton!" she gasped. "What's the trouble?" Instantly alert. "Florence has the smallpox!" "Impossible! Come with me." But the porter, having had the strictest orders from the manager, re fused to let them into Florence's room. "Never mind, Susan. Come along." Out of earshot of the porter he said: "My room is directly above Florence's, i We'll see what can be done. This smells of the Black Hundred a mile off. Smallpox! . Only yesterday she wrote me that she never felt better. Have you wired Jones?" "I never thought to!" "Then I shall. Our old friends are at work again." "But it's the same doctor who sent me down here." Norton frowned. What followed all appeared in the reporter's story, as written three months later. He and Susan went up to his room, raised the flooring, cut through the ceiling, and with the fire escape rope dropped below. One glance at Florence's tear-stained face was enough for him. Norton's subse quent battle with the doctor and his accomplices made very Interesting reading. Their escape from the hotel, their flight, their encounter with one of the gang in the road, and Flor ence's blunder into the bed of quick sand, gave a succession of thrills to the readers of the Blade. And all this while the million ac cumulated dust, layer by layer. Per haps an occasional hardy roach scrambled over the packets, no doubt attracted by the peculiar odor of the ink. CHAPTER XVII. Setting Trans for Norton. j The Black Hundred possessed three separate council chambers, always in preparation. Hence, when the one In use was burned down they transferred their conferences to the second coun cil chamber appointed identically tho same as the first. As inferred, the or ganisation owned considerable wealth, and they leased the buildings in which tlmv linrt thnlr rnnnrll phamhers. leased them for a number of years. and refurnished them secretly with , trap floors, doors and panels and all that apparatus eo necessary to men who are sometimes compelled to make a quick getaway When the Atlantic City attempt was , ,. o .... t .i i.. nipnon i n n fi niiunn nv iMfiriini m i imt-i v arrival Braine determined once more . to rid himself of this meddling re porter. He knew too much, ln the first place, and in the second place Braine wanted to learn whether the reporter bore a charmed life or was ' Just ordinarily lucky. He would at tempt nothing delicate, requiring finesse. He would simply waylay Nor ton and make a commonplace end of him. He would disappear, this re porter, that would be all; and when they found him he might or might not be recognizable. So Braine called a conference and he and hie fellow rogues went over a number of expedients and finally agreed that the best thing to do would be to send a man to the newspaper, ostensibly as a reporter looking for a situation. With this excuse he would be able to hang around the city room for three or four days. The idea back of this was to waylay Norton on his way, to some assignment which took him to the suburbs. All this was arranged down to the smallest detail; and a man whom they were quite certain Norton had not yet seen was selected to play the part. He had been a reporter once, more's the pity; so there was no doubt of his being able to handle his end of the game. "I want Norton, I want .him badly," declared Braine, "and woo to you If you let booze play in between you and the object of this move." The man selected to act the re porter bung his head. Whisky had been the origin of his fall from hon est living, and he was not so cal loused as not to feel the sting of remorse at times. "More," went on Braine, "I want Norton brought to 49. It's a little oft the beat, and we can handle Norton as we please. When we get rid ot this newspaper ferret there'll be an other to eliminate. But he's a fox, and a fox must be set to trail him." "And who Is that?" "Jones. Jones Jones!" thundered ttlrnlnn. "Ha'A tins live wire. But hO reporter first. Jones depends a lot on him. Take away this prop and Jones will not be so sure of himself. Thore'a a man outsldo nil this circle, and all these' weeks of warfare have not served to bring him into the circle." "Hargreave is dead," eald Vroon stolidly. "As dead as I am," snarled Bralne. "Two men went away In that balloon; and I'll wager my head that one man came back. I am beginning to put a few things together that I have not thought of before. Wlio knows? That balloon may have been carried out to sea purposely. The captain on that tramp steamer may have lied from beginning to end. I tell you, Hargreave is alive, and wherever he is he has his hand on all the wires. He has agents, too, whom we know nothing about. Hang the million! I want to put my hands on Hnrgreavo Just to prove that I am the better man. He communicates with Jones, per haps through the reporter; he has had me followed; it was he who changed the boxes, bored the hole in the cell ing of the other quarters and learned heaven knows what." "If that's the case," eald Vroon, "why hasn't he had us apprehended?" Braine laughed henrtlly. "Haven't you been able to see .by this time what his came is? Revenge. He does not want the police to meddle only In the smaller affairs. He wants to put ter ror into the hearts of all of us. Keep this point in your mind when you act. He'll never summon the police unless we make a broad daylight attempt to I got possession of his daughter. And , even then he would make it out a plain case of kidnaping. Elimination, that's the word. All right. We'll piay at that game ourselves. No. 1 shall be Mr. Norton. And if you fall I'll break you," Braine added to the ex-reporter. "I'll get him," said the man sullenly. Later, when he applied for a situa tion on the Blade, it happened that ', there were two strikes on nand, and two or three extra men were needed I on the city staff. The man from the Florence Falls Into a Bed of Quick sand, Black Hundred was given a temporary Job and went by the name of Gregg. For three days he worked faithfully, abstaining from hiB favorite tipple. He had never worked In New York, so his record was unknown. He had told the city editor that he had worked on a Chicago paper, now defunct. He paid no attention whatsoever to Norton, a sign of no little acumen. On the other hand Norton never went forth on an assignment that Gregg did not know exactly where he was eolng. But all these stories kept Nor- ton ln town and il would be altogeth- er to nto f"6 ? anywhere but outside of town. So Gregg had to abide his time. It came soon enough. Norton was idling at his desk when the city editor called him up to the wicket. "General Henderson has Just re turned to America. Get his opinion on the latest Balkan rumpus. He's out at his suburban home. Here's the address." "How long will you hold open for me?" asked Norton, meaning how long would the city editor wait for the story. "Till one-thirty. You ought to be back by midnight. It's only eight now." "All right; Henderson's approach able. I may get a good story out of him." "Maybe," thought Gregg, who had lost nothing of this conversation. It was his opportunity. He imme diately left (he zone of the city desk for a telephone booth. But as he passed the line of desks and busy reporters he did not note the keen scrutiny of a smooth faced, gray haired man who stood at the side ot Norton's desk awaiting the reporter's return. "Why, Jones," cried the surprised Norton. "What are you doing all this way from home?" "Orders," said Jones, smiling faint ly as he delivered a note to the re porter. "Anything serious?" "Not that I am aware of. Miss Flor ence was rather particular. She want- ed to bo sure that the note reached . Vmii linn I a ooolu1' I -a., h .n tn . w v rum. ourair anA latt hoi- alnno In that house?" I Again Jones smiled. "I left her well guarded, you may bo sure of that' She will never run away again." He wait-, ed for Norton to read the note. It was nothing more than one ot1 those love order to come and call at. once. And she had made Jone ven- tnra intn tnwn with it! fhA rnnorter ' "eJ and put the note away tenderly, And then ho caught Jones smiling, too. "I'm going to marry her, Jones." "That remains to be seon," replied the butler, not unkindly. "Well, anyhow, thanks for bringing the note. But I've got to disappoint her tonight. I'm off in a douce of a hurry to interview General Hender son. I'll be out to tea tomorrow. You can find your way out of this old fire trap. By-byl" The moment he turned away the smile taded from Jones' faoo, and with the quickness and nolselessnesB of a cat he reached the side of the booth in which Gregg believed himself so se cure from eavesdropping. The half dozen words Jones heard convinced him that Norton was again the object of the Black Hundred's attention. He had seen the man's face that memora ble night when the balloon stopped for its passenger. Before Gregg came out of the booth Jones decided to over take him and forewarn him, but un fortunately the reporter was nowhere in (sight., j Norton Was at His Desk. There was left for Jones nothing else but to return home or follow when he came out. As this night he knew Florence to be exceptionally well guarded, both within and without the house, he decided to wait and follow the spy. When Braine received the message he was pleased. Norton's assignment fitted his purpose like a glove. Before midnight he would have Mr. Meddling Reporter where he would bother no one for some time if he proved tract able. If not, he would never bother any one again. Braine gave his or ders tersely. Unless Norton met with unforeseen gelay, nothing could pre vent his capture. When Norton arrived at the Hen derson place, a footman informed him from the veranda that General Hen derson was at 49 Elm street for the evening, and It would be Wise to call there. Jim nodded his thanks and set off ln haste for 49 Elm street The footman did not enter the house, but; hurried down the steps and slunk off among the adjacent shrubbery. His mission was over with. The house in Elm street was Bralne's suburban establishment . He went there occasionally to hibernate, as it were, to grow a new skin when close pressed. The caretaker was a man rightly called Samson. He was a "bruiser of the bouncer type. It was fast work for Braine to get out there. If the man disguised as a footman played his cards badly Braia would have all his trouble for noth ing. He disguised himself with that infernal cleverness which had long since made him a terror to the police, who were looking for ten different men instead ot one. He knew that Norton would understand instantly I that he was not the general; but on ; the other hand he would not know that he was addressing; Braine. So the arch-conspirator waited; and so Norton arrived and was ushered into the room. A single glance was I enough to satisfy the reporter, always keen eyed and observant. "I wish to see General Henderson," he said politely. "General Henderson is doubtless at his own bouse." "Ah I" "Don't be alarmed yet," said Braine emoothly. ! "I am not alarmed," replied Norton. , "I am only chagrined. Since General Henderson is not to be found here I must be excused." "I will excuse you presently." "Ah I I begin to see." "Indeed!" mocked Braine. "I have tumbled or walked into a trap." "A keen mind like yours must have recognized that fact the moment you discovered I was not the general." "I am Indebted to the Black Hun- dred?" coolly. x "SHOW'' We dq not wish you ill. Mr' Norton" '7 b,e, . no!" Ironically. "What w"h filing safes, poisoned cigarettes, and toti l ,cn ,retady eoJ"la' yu ave W wefaro a,heart Whf " wafl " uddenneM with wh'crh " affectionate signs ceased.' 'Tou're a man of heart, ' said Braina with genuine admiration. "These Bf- tectionate signs, as you call them, ceased because for the tlmo being you ceased to be a menace. You have become that once more, and here you are I" "And what are you going to do with mo now that you have got me?" "Thero will bo two courses." Braine reached Into a drawer and drew out a thick roll of bills. "There are here something like $5,000." "Quito a tidy sum; enough for a chap to get married on." Tho two eyed each other steadily. And ln his heart Brgine sighed. For he eaw ln this young man's eyes in corruptibility. "It is yours on one condition," said Braine, reaching out his foot stealthily toward the button which would sum mon Samson. "And that is," interpolated Norton, "that I join the Black Hundred." "Or the great beyond, my lad," took up Braine, his voice crisp and cold. Norton could not repress a shiver. Where had he heard this voice before . . . Bralnel He stiffened. "Murder in cold blood?" ha managed to say. "Indefinite imprisonment. Choose." "I have chosen." "H'm!" Braine rose and went over to the sideboard for the brandy, "I'm going to offer you a drink to show you that personally there are no hard feel ings. You are ln the way. After you, our friend, Jones. This brandy is not poisoned, neither are the glasses. Choose either and I'll drink first We are all desperate men, Norton; and we stop at nothing. Your life bangs by a hair. Do you know where Har greave is?" Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully. "Do you know where the money is.?" Norton smelt ot the brandy. "I am eorry," said Braine. "I should have liked to win over a head like yours." Norton nonchalantly took out his watch, and that bit of bravado per haps saved his life. In the case of his watch he saw a brutal face behind him. Without a tremor, Norton took up his glass. "I am sorry to disappoint you," he said, "but I shall neither join you nor go to by-by." Quick as a bird shadow above grass, he flung the brandy over his shoulder into the face of the man behind. Sam son yelled with pain. Almost at the same Instant Norton pushed over the table, upsetting Braine with it. Next he dashed through the curtains, slammed the door, and fled to the street, very shaky about the knees, if the truth is to be told. General Henderson's views upon the latest Balkan muddle were missing from the Blade the following morn ing. Norton, instead of returning to the. general's and fulfilling his assign ment like a dutiful reporter, hurried out to Riverside, to acquaint Jones with what had happened. Jones was glad to see him safe and sound. "That new reporter started the game," he said. "1 overhead a word or two while he was talking in the booth. All your telephone booths are ramshackle affairs, you use them so constantly. I tried to find you, but you were out of sight Now, tell me what happened." "Sh!" warned Norton as he spied Florence coming down the stairs. "I thought you ac'dn't come 1 " she cried. "But ten o'clookl" "I changed my mind," he replied, laughing. He caught her arm ln his and drew her toward the library. Jones smiled after them with that enigmatical smile of his, which might have signified Irony or affection After half an hour's chat, Florence, quite aware that the two men wished to talk, re tired. At the door Norton told Jones what had taken place at 49 Elm street "Ah! we must not forget that num ber," mused Jones. "My advice is, keep an eye on this Gregg chap. We may get, somewhere by watching him." "Do you know where Hargreave is?"- Jones scratched his chin reflectively. Norton laughed. "1 can't get. any thing out of you." "Much less any one else I'm grow ing fond of you, my boy. You're a man." "Thanks; and good-night." When Olga Perlgoff called the next day Jones divested himself of his llv ery, donned a plain coat and hat, and left the house stealthily. Today he was determined to learn something definite in regard to this suave, hand some Russian. When she left the house Jones rose from his hiding placo and proceeded to follow her. The re sult of this espionage on the part of Jones will be seen presently. Meantime Jim went down to the office and lied cheerfully about his missing the general. Whether the city editor believed him or not Is of no matter. Jim went over to his desk. From the corner of his eye he could see Grogg scribbling away. He never raised his head as Jim Eat down to read his mail. After awhile Gregg rose and left the office; and, ot course, Jim left shortly afterward. When the newcomer saw that he was being fol lowed, ho smiled and continued on his way. This Norton chap was suspi cious. All the better; his suspicions should dq made tne uook to tana mm with. By and by the man turned into a drug store and Jim loitered about till he reappeared. Gregg walked with brisker stops now It was his in tention to lead 'Norton on a wild goose chase for-an hour or so, long enough to give Braine time to arrange a wel come at another bouse. (To be continued) Successful frog farms are In opera tion tn saveral parts of the country, notable ones being found in California, near San Francisco, and ln Missouri, near St. Louis. Notice of Appointment. Estate of Noah Fawlev. Deceased . Wrlflbt Fawley has been appointed and qualified an executor of the estate of Noah Kawlev. late of uigniana county. Ohio, deceased, Dated this 30th day o' November A. b, 1&I4' J. II. WoitLtr, Probate Judge of Said County. H. L. Wiggins, Attorney. adv Teachers' Examination. Toe Highland county Board of School Ex aminers hereby gives notice that examina tions ot Applicants for County Teachers' Certificates will take place in the Wasting ton School Building, HllUbqro, on the first Saturday of September, October, January, March, April, May and the last Friday of June and August As prescribed by law, the fee for these examinations will be 60 cents, H, D. Gali.iett, Lynchburg, Fres J. Ed. Shannon, HUlsboro, Vice Prea. W. H. VAnoe, HUlsboro, Sec. ad 7 Legal Notice. James N. Warlaumont whote place ot res idence Is unknown, will take notice that on the l2tb day of November, 19U, the under signed Elizabeth E Warlaumont as plaintiff filed ln the Common Pleas Courtof Highland county, Ohio, her petition for a decree of divorce against him on the grounds of three years wilful absence, and that said cause will be for hearing in ,sald court after the 24th day of December, 1014. Dated this 18th day of November, 19U. Elizabeth E. Warlaumont. Br Wilson & McDhide, Her Attorneys. 12-21 adv Notice of Election. Notice Is hereby given that ln pursuance of a resolution of the Council of the Village of HUlsboro, passed on the 12th day of rxoveniDer, mt. mere win oe suDmutea to the qualified electors of said Village at a special election, on the 15th Day of December, 1914, at the usual voting places, the question of Issuing nohds of said Village ln the sum of Twenty Thousands Dollars lor the purpose ot paying off the certificates of Indebted ness of said Village heretofore issued by the Council of said Village, and of the Indebted ness of The HUlsboro Light & Fuel Company against said Village. Those who vote ln favor ot the proposi tion of Issuing the bonds as aforesaid shall have wltten or printed on their ballots the words "For the issue of bonds." and those who vole against the same shall have writ ten or printed on their ballots the words "Against the Issue of bonds." November 13th, 1914. James A. Wileims, adv Mayor. SINKING SPRING. November SO, 1914,. The funeral of Wm. Mull was held at the M.;E. Church Saturday at 10 a. m. Services were conducted by Rav. Van B. Wright ; Interment at Gyn thlana. Anumbenof youngjpeople were en tertained at;the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney;TolleSaturday evening Mrs. J. J. Amen.has returned to her home at Cedar Rapids, la., after an extended; visltwlth her sister, Mrs. O. C. Wickerham. Rev. JDiepert Is conducting a series of meetings atJConway's Chapel. A Thanksgiving program was glven at the M.E. Churcbl Thursday even ing. Mrs. Wm.Overholser and daughter, Juanita, ofJSprlngfleld, have been the guests of relatives here. Mrs. John,' Tolle "took dinner with Mrs. Dora Tolle,lMonday. Mrs. Margaret 'Chapman, of Win chester, spent a few (days last week with relatives here. , Mrs. Jennie Miller spent Thursday with Mrs. Louisa. Lawson. Mrs. JohniNace and daughter, Mrs. Edyth Covan.i spent Thursday with Mrs. PermellaJKisllng. Mrs. Rose Toole and daughter, Bea trice, spent one ,day last week- with Mr. and Mrs. John Tolle, east of town. Mrs. Jennie McKeehan spent a few days last week with her sister, Mrs. Richard Reynolds, at Peebles. J. E. Chapmanand wife spent last Thursday with relatives at FdrtHill, - Gore, Ga., P. A. Morgan had occa sion recently tojuse a liver medicine and says of Foley Cathartic Tablets : 'They thoroughly cleansed my system and I felt like a new man light and mi uAi u.- nuirt T ireu. xuuyciuu ljioi ucbu iucuiwud . have over taken for constipation. They keep the stomach sweet, liver active, bowels regular." adv Gabhett & Ayres. Amateur Hunter I killed that one, didn't I ? , Guide Yes, sir; you killed him as dead as anybody could have killed him. Philadelphia Ledger. HUMPHREYS' Witch Hazel Oil (COMPOUND) For Piles or Hemorrhoids, External or Internal, Blind or Eleedlng, Itching or Burning. One application brings relief. Two sizes, 25c. and $1.00, at all druggists or mailed. Send Free Sample of Oil to Humphreys Borneo. Medicine Co., 15S WlllUn. St., New York. Sick Animals The treatment of diseases of norse, Cattle, Sheep, Dogs and Jfowls, is given in Br. Humphreys' Veterinary Manual, mail free. Humphreys' Veterinary Remodu.., 166 William St., New Votk. 1 M i . 1 Agt&uLyug tffijtj JL