The Washington times. [volume], July 23, 1916, SUNDAY EVENING EDITION, Page 12, Image 12

About The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939

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. THE WASHINGTON TIME&' SUNDAY; JULY 23; 1016.
. , 1ST 1
h
wlfystmsmon
Anlnspirin'Novcl
MottoaPicfureDiama
W
Written by Hereward Carrington.
Dramatized by Charles W. Goddard.
Copyright, 1111, by the Star Company.
All Fowtlgn Rights Reesrved.
'v:.' j ,smMm,WEMmm&n?&m ' :w i -
CHAPTER LVIX.
The Muter Persists.
THE potentate of the Devil Wor
shlpers, enthroned In his' Inner
chamber, retarded Arthur Var
ney'a nervoua face with an ex
pression of mingled fury and contempt.
Varney, kneeling In humble adoration
before the High Matter, trembled as
though with an ague.
I'l have told you my plan. Your re
monstrances are vain, Varney! Another
speech like that and I shall punish you
hM I have done with other traitors to our
fcrder In the naatl" cried the Master.
Xhe girl must diet Even should you
obtain her fortune for me,' by marrying
her, I will never be satisfied until I have
put her from the land of the living!"
He smote the great brazen gong at hia
aide.
The ceremonial leader entered at the
aummons, to be greeted by the horn
thumbed sign of tne evil brotnerhooa.
"Vour command, O Maeter?"
"Bring in the man and woman who
have bargained to serve us," snarled
the Master. Again he addressed Varney
whose downcast face waa drawn and
haggard from some Internal struggle be
tween the good and evil of his strange
personality.
"But, Master," he pleaded, -if she "
"I have spoken my will," came the
strident response, "bhe knowe entirely
too much aDOUt our order. Uraaualiy,
dear had Myrn! Maynard become to Ar
thur Varney that thla great ottering of
love seemed not too much to him now.
Aa ho passed along the. quiet semi
suburban streets toward the Maynard
mansion, Varney reviewed tho strange
maie of Incidents which had passed dur
ing the recent months.
ly Into tho rear room as though expect
ing some one. The place was empty,
however. A large door opened upon an
alleyway In the back of the building,
and It seemed from Vnrney's manner
that this portal was Important In his
scheming.
Ho rejoined Myra and her mother.
It seemed like some dream, now. In. who were discussing some cracked
the Inspiring, healthy environment of chlnaware on a weather-beaten mahog-
Krctty gardens, flowering ehrubs. and any table,
appy homes, as he strolled on to com- - Prefer Wedgewood ware," Insisted
plete the work of sin which strango i Mype wh"? her mother objected and
fate had decreed to be his task. ! tried to make up her mind which dusty
He remembered his early association tea set she wished to choose, from thoso
with Myra, when supplied with almost i on the table,
unlimited funds by the High Master, he Varney heard n footfall In tho rear
ui ma Biure
There are somo wedgewood pieces in
had forced his attentions upon her and
her mother, until he had Ingratiated
himself In the family's food graces.
ITfrnt. hlfl fAllnf hnfl hMn Ana nf
selfish satisfaction that hla charm had and wearing
been irresistiDie oy iao innocent young
girl. He knew that sne had become in
terested In htm: her mother's friendli
ness was unmistakable, and over in
Creasing. But, and his heart hardened as the
thought came, tho advent of the smil
ing, confident and ever-gallant Doctor
Payson Alden had changed all these
thinks. Myra had been treating the
physician with a growing confidence and
a sweet Intimacy which Infuriated Var
noy. Just when he had succeeded,
through the connivance of his evil Mas
ter, in winning iiie gill s conent to m-r-ry
him. the physician hod thwarted his
plans. Myra had told him that she did
not care for him enough to be his wife.
that back room, Myra," ho said, Just as
an old woman, dressed In black silk.
a quaint Donnet appeared
antique and wanted to aurprlse you with roada blindfolded, using the spirit eyes
It." . I of others to see." .
Mrs. Maynard shook her head, vexed. "Very good." said Aldan. "Well try
At her suggestion Varney remained at out and see what you can do!
the shop, to wait for Myra'a possible re- The young man waa entirely different
turn while she ordered Dick to drive her In type from the other medium enq
home at top speed. ' . mind-readers whom the physician had
"Be sure to wnlt here until. I telephone interviewed. His face waa extremely
that sho Is not :t home, Arthur. I don't 'pale. Hlo manner and speech nervous
dare let her bo out without an escort,"
ana me gooq lany began to cry.
The machine sped down the street,
and Varnoy walked Into the curio shop
once more. Alter a few minutes, how
over, he quietly left tho place and hur
ried to a telephone pay station. Ho
up a number anil war. soon delivering a
message that all was well.
"Oood," came tho snarling reply. "I
had mistrusted you Varney. Now keep
en with your task and I shall reward
you as welt as tho others, for at last we
havo victory completely within our
rraap."
The Varney returned to the atreet, to
walk bock to the curio shop. A frontlc
message on tho telepnono greeted him
there. Mr. Mrvnnm had found no
i trt.co of Myra owl begged him to notify
In the doarwav of the other room. She
gave him a quick signal clenched fists,
with upturned thumbs, pressed against
her cheeks and Varney knewi that his
confederates had arrived.
The old woman, ' who had entered
rm ftiA .llAvwav nntv tllrnrf hnrlr
Into the rear room, and as, Myra en-1 the police at once. The conversation
tnroil It tn Irmneet thn Weriirnwood aha iw fin abruntlv terminated by hysterical
conning, ns me mihiraoie momcr svo
way to her fright and tears.
Varney hung un the receiver, thanked
tho proprietor for his courtesy and
whlked out of tho store. He turned the
next corner, and climbed Into his own
automobile which had strangely made
Itt appearance there:
"The Master works without nn error!"
ho muttered, on he throw on the speed.
was busy stooping over a table to ex
amine a spangled fan.
Varney, who had accompanied Myra,
now turned toward the other room,
where her mother was still struggling
with her decision over the tea set.
"I must have dronned my cloves.
Excuse me just a minute," ho
- .., - . i-. . . r - --.---
under tne tralnlnir of tnls scoundre., iV "m utK"11 power pi nis cniei. against
if.d to undermine our strength and campaign of murder and destruction.
I must slay ner "and Aiaen, ai well" m ! Now, 'or the second tlmo had he made
orr to gVrd' Su7 own orothcrhooa. . P h'"m'nndn " ' "' V ca'"l" "
one sign ot weakness now and It will he winds and help the girl escape from
be the lost you make. In this life Var-.this new and almost certain fate.
ney. And remember, that you ' ,.He, ,"ad reached the street on which
have scores to sett.e wnen you are ' the Mnjnard mansion was located, and
ushered into tne existence beyond tho "? walked more slowly down the hedge
grave. I advise you to gut alt you can row, toward the driveway,
get out of the present one !" H0 was passing the smooth lawn now,
Varney did not leply. on which the croquet arches were set.
Even aa tho Master ceased, two figures ana he stopped as he heard Myra'a sll
advanced, guided by the ceremonial dl-1 very laughter.
rector. Varney drew hla hood about hla Her merry voice thrilled him. Now
face, aa tno potentate commanded that I at laat. ho told himself, he would prove
the blindfolds be removed from the faces himself a man-and a lover! Ho would
. .""" .'"."'I . " "";""" "" "- " warn ner in uroo to save her. He peered
instructed to kneel before him. through the leaves of the hedge, and a
Tne nrst or the newcomers waa awnve"of resentment lni nmr Mn
heavy-jowled individual, whose swarthy ijhat lnu.rh was not t?r Zl lm
skin and rough features Indicated that Jn" ,? ? nn 'V'J?,'1"! Jnd tho
ha had been engaged in outdoor , work Jh".
during much ot his Hie. ne bllnKeu i other than the hated Doctor Alden who
In tho unaccustomed brilliancy, as the I Jtood near tho girl on the croquet
red rays radiated from a. great luminous j ?,'" . ......
disc directly behind the Master's head. ,vra made a shot with her mallet, and
Then he gazed, bewildered, about him. missed. Alden took his turn and the
at the faces which were all apparently . wooden i sphero struck the final coal
Mvra.
nl1 na . nnlLrt.1 hnrW. tpnvlnr thA trlrl
The romanco had been "irolncr bv the ! nlon'n with the old woman.
board" ever Since. I t-rn liirnl nnrnrlmxl. n oh h"nrrt "itlld vet ami v-t!"
Afll.l.a...aJl f . ,.-.. ..a. 1 ... . .1 ... .,..1. .. la.. ..!
.Hitiii uuu HKHin. vuiv-v nnn vininnn i n crrnnn. i inn oia nnccmE inauznti unniQ imvK
. .. . " -. ..." w--. -..w .. ... . -.- ..-......--.. ..- ------ . , - .
Tho old creature had awayca weaKiy to mm again. Despite me jeaioua iury
and Indecisive, while his features were
weak. He waa of a nature eaally Influ
enced by the minds of others, and n
this respect, aa Alden saw, undoubtedly
especially sensitive to psvchlo Influ
ences, although lacking In the power of
projective Initiative. Here waa the
type who could record the thoughts
and act on the commanda of othera,
but never control them with hla own
fnrrl..
The first experiment waa the choice of
... i il, j. rilrilnnsrv which the
young man produced. Aiaen ncipeu
blindfolded, and then sat down In a chair
facing the other man. as he picked out
. random word. H. closed the book,
handed It to the psychic, and then con
centrated his m.nd on the word. The
blindfolded man opened the book, ap-t-arently
without any definite purpose in
picking the poge. ran his fingers up and
down the page, suddenly stopping at one
"There." he exclaimed, pointing out the
word, "mentality." "Is that right?
"Verv goad!" exclaimed Alden, agree
ably iurpr.aed. "Now, we'll try hiding
ThVmethod of telephathlc effort they
followed for some time. But Just as
they were pi time Interested In some
new modes, the ti-Tehone Jangld dlscord-
Xonfound it!" muttered Alden, lifting
strange to him.
He looked with surprise at the woman
at his side. She was ajnarently forty
years of age or thereabouts. Her
heavy, sensual features betokened a na
ture more cruel, and Infinitely more
cunning, than that of her companion.
Sho regarded the man with curiosity,
and returned the Master's keen scru
tiny with a glance of Insolent self-confidence.
As Varney. with the same anxious
expression upon his tenso features,
studied them he realized that tho vil
lainous couple gave proof of the Mas
tor's Judgment In choosing "tools."
Here was as murderous a looking twain
as one could have found after diligent
search In the underworld!
"Do you understand what I have en-
?aged you to do?" demanded the Mos-
Both nodded, and the leader of the
Devil Worshipers smiled in silent,
crocodile mirth.
The Master began to Instruct them In
their new duties, and spoke without
interruption, until with a significant
ceature across his own throat, he ended
significantly: ."Tho knife, then, the
knife! And see that It cuts deep! It
cannot cut too deep!"
The woman leered at him.
"I can use a knife, and use U well!"
she exclaimed. "But, poison Is quicker
and easier!"
The man. whom the Master had ad
dressed aa "Pedro," stepped back, ap
prehensively. "But I don't want to use the knife,
or the poison either. I was told that
lfa Ilia. Irlrinnftln, nlfln! T rinn't
want no electric chair for all the money
tin the world!"
The Master glared viciously at Pedro.
and cried: "I command you to obey
J me to the letter. I said the knife, and I
. will punish any disobedience!"
"But. Master, he la right!" Interrupt-
,ed Varney. "I will be recognised by
'Mrs. Maynard, and perhaps Myra, aa
you have planned It. Then, there Is
Alden. who Is always Just where one
least expects It!"
"Will you do aa I bid?" cried the
Master.
Varney shook his. head and Pedro
grunted a surlv "No!"
The ruler of the Black Order suddenly
raised hla arms, extending his bony,
clawlike fingers toward the two recal
citrants. A terrible scene followed
for It seemed as, though forked light
ning shot forth from those stiffened
dlifts.
Straight to the breast of Varney and
the obstinate Pedro sprang the bolts
of living fire.
The men screamed and writhed In
agony as they sank miserably to their
knees. The woman, regarding them
with scorn, laughed cruelly at their an-
Sulah. The Master gave her an aDJprov
ig glance and dropped his hands ex
ulUngly. , ..,,
"Will you uDcy. no uen.unu.eu,
"Yes, yes!" groaned the sufferers, aa
the aparka faded out. They weakly rose
to their feet, while the evil pontiff beck
oned to the ceremonial leader.
"Take them out," he commanded. And
la a whisper he added: "Watch Varney
and the man, for I mistrust them!" ,
The woman was blindfolded once
more, as was Pedro. The black order
member led the man through the maze
'of passages to the old stone culvert,
which was one of the secret exits of the
council rooms.
"Oo that way," he commanded, point
ing to the north. "Meet tho woman at
the old house, where you will find tho
automobile. Hasten, for the time has
almost come for action."
Arthur Varnoy. with head bowed, next
passed Into the open air, regarded with
Acorn oy nis companions, weakness in
evil was' the greatest crime In the eyes
of the Devil Worshipers, and he real
ised that he was regarded as a fallen
member, the news of his punishment
having been whispered among the breth
ren in the outer council room.
"Oo that way," commanded the cere
monial leader, pointing to the south.
"See what Myra Maynard Is doing, and
he ready to obey the master's commands
to the letter!"
The member watohed him disappear,
until confident that he had not rejoined
the untrustworthy Pedro for a possible
conference.
Then the woman was brought forth,
her blindfold removed. She was given a
final word of Instruction. Her brutal
face lit up with an unholy light as some
sold was slipped Into her hand.
"I will earn It. aye, I will earn It!"
she gloated. "And I will get more than
this," was the muttered undertone, ns
she followed In the path of Pedro.
Varney walked slowly, lost In a thou
sand miserable thoughts, as he endeavor
ed to crystallize some plan of action. He
realized that the master had conceived
and started the execution of the mont
cunning or all hla plans, it seemea im
possible to thwart him, without abso
stake.
She looked up at Aldcn's droll grim
ac of triumph.
"Luckv at games unluckv In love,
they say." she told him. Alden's fnco
beenme serious, ns ho regarded her
with a wistful look.
"I'm afraid so." he answered.
But Mvra reached for his hnnd. tim
idly, nnd held It for Just the fraction
of a pK?ond.
"I didn't mean that." she said, and
then dronned her eyes, as she started
toward the house.
Alden followed her. nuletly. while
Varney drew bock from the hedge. His
race was nuhed. and he clenched his
hands angrily. His former mood of
self-s.crtflee was swent nsld" In a jeal
ou maelstrom'of hitter egotism.
"And I. fol tht I am. would hv
maria way for him 1 to have given
un life, hnpntnera. everything, In ordar
that he rould wno her In nance' It
rhall not he. If T can not h,w Myra
Mavnard for myself, Alden shall never
do IM"
And he strode anaTllv toward tha
drlvewav. his eves burning w'h hatred,
his mouth grlmlv set in his determina
tion to win all for himself or sacrifice
tha all of others.
Ha met Alden coming down the drlva,
nnd the two man exchanged tho curtest
of formal greetings.
There wn a miitupl Interchange of
distrust and dislike In their eyes as
the" passed.
little ball of paper dropped by one of
the men.
Myra saw It, however, nnd ns the
woman screeched her denunciations at
the two men for Interfering, sho nicked
It up and unfolded the tiny note. Its
message waa short and startled the
girl:
"Exchange the cups and pretend to be
nolanned."
"I wonder If It can be some friend of
Doctor Alden's." the girl muted. She
heard the wordv altercation outside the
door. There waa not a minute to lose.
Bhe hurried toward the table and looked
at tha eun. Onn waa old and cracked.
without a handle. The other was new.
To change them would undoubtedly ex
cite suspicion.
Then, with feminine Ingenuity, she
hathnuirht hariialf of tha tumbler, hid
den beneath. She brought It forth
and a slight moisture was deposited oo
ine glass from her dellcnto brcnthlng.
Vainly he tried to rouse her. II was
evident that her coma was the result of
hypnosis or a drug he could not ascer
tain which.. Tho psychic. Hill nctlner
under the Influence of the tremendous
occult excitement, which had seemed
to guldn his every move, now sank Into
a chair nnd drew forth 'his dictionary.
His finger reached a word and re
molned there.
"Head this!" he cried. "Ilcad It!"
Mrs. Maynr.rd reached over his
thoulder and pronounced the word hla
iremnnng nnccr Indicated.
..Tneumogastrlc!" she exclaimed.
"What does that word mean, doctor?"
Alden started.
"Why. that's In the neck. I wonder"
Ho ran to the side of the girl.
reacning arouna to discover the Clamp.
poured the contents of the cracked cup He removed It, with an exclamation of
into the tumbler, and then turned the triumph, stroked her forehead, nnd
milk In the good cup Into the cracked snapped his Angers commandlnsly.
one. "Oh!" .in.l the girl awakened with a
It was simple now to pour the milk m start. "Where am I?"
the tumbler Into the newer cup. after Her .mother rushed toward her loy
carefully wiping It out with the hem ouslv. as Alden caught tho soft hand
of her gown. She replaced the cups aa )n hllli Hcr rctUrn to the lind of the
they 'had been on the tray, hiding the nVng was as unexpected to Hyra ns lo
tumbler. I any one else.
She turned away. Just aa the woman An(1 tho failure of Pedro to consini
re.tnter'1 thB. room , . , mate the well-laid scheme of the Master
"Now, my dear, will you have aome WRg cven ftt ,gfB instant being pun
mllk and aandwlches? she asked, with I ,.,,,, wltnln tho council room of the
a serpentine glitter In her dnrk eves jji-v Order. Varncv had escaped suo-
yra timidly noqaed. The women neio pc)0n by a hair's breadth. But the
other man sanK dock iiieicss, oeioro
thn tarrlhln occult nnwer of the Mas
ter's extended hands, who had foolishly
forth tha trav.
"I am afraid, unless you drink and
eat some, too," faltered the girl.
Oh. yes. I will do It' and the
M
At the Cnr.o Short.
1A was sitting In the llbrnry
anirrosw' In a Cosmonolttnn
Mncazlne. when her mother
".ntored the room.
"My dear, yon are neglecting your
music: you simply must practice now,
for you have had entirely too many
distractions of late." was tho matornal
reproof.
'All right, daar." but there was n
sigh nn .the lnld nsldo tho story. "I waB
so glnrt to road something to toko my
mind off our own tragedies here In the
house. And my music always makes
me sad, of late."
Myra went to tho plnno, and was dili
gently running ncnlei. with a surpris
ing skill in the slender white flngcis,
ns Arthur Varney was admitted to tho
house.
He passed Willis, to enter the music
room.
As ho did ho. with unusual nwkward-
nass. he brushed past an antique vaso
which stood upon the table near the
door. Indi-ed. an observer might have
deduced tnat it was an intentional acci
dent, but ns the butler entered the
room, varnoy was pici:ing up the rrag
ments with simulated mortification.
"Whnt i clumsy fool I nm!" he ex
claimed. Mvra had followed the butler, and she
shook her head In disparagement of tho
loss.
"It Is nothing. Arthur." she answered
to his protestation: of regret. ".Tint
lome old piece that father bought In
the Orient. The house It full of them
and one. more or less, won't he missed."
Mrs. Maynard had entered, and she
echoed Myra'n Indifference. But Vnr
nev wns strangely apologetic.
"I Insist that vou allow me to roplace
It." he penUted. 'And, bv the way, I
remember an old curio ttoio which I
passed this mornlnr. It had Just such
a vase In tho window. I will feel very
mortified If vou do not come down with
me right now nnd let mo replace tho
loss1'
He was so lnsltent nbout It that
finally, to make him feel better. Mrs.
Mavnara nnn .uvrn ncrecu 10 rmo
down with him. Tho butler was sent
for the nutoinoi.no. ana in a rew min
utes they were riding toward the old
shop.
It was as much of a curio as Us
contents, this old place.
"I havo orten passoa. it, saia myra.
ns the car drew up before the door of
the shop. "And now I nm really glnd
thnt you lirnught us down. Arthur, for
I have always wnnted to browse around
among th fninltit n!d tablet, nnd china
ware, nnd tnnartrlos,"
The three of thorn entered, while tho
chauffeur drew his machine up a little
nearer the doorway, for their conven
ience on the return.
There ho sat smoking a cigarette and
mentnlly laughing at the "rich folks"
for their foolish Interest In what he
termed "old Junk." The aged proprie
tor of the place led them about tho
rooms llstlssly. He seemed absolutely
uninterested In the possibility of a sale,
and he returned to his account books,
an they walked from one antique to the
other.
Vnrnnv. unseen bv tha other. lonkrH
lutely sacrificing his own life. Vet, bo at his watch and then peered cautious-
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2XIYRA "WAS TERROR-ST RICKEJT
woman held out the uncraeked cup to l ward off his fury,
her. "I'll drink from the old one you There was only
.. .b a .-.. aa ai.Ii tt AM.A 11I1A mwn I mrA -M l" .....-a-i a in.....
mined a knife against the evil ruler, to
one result another
are company, and she smir-ea ami-; scoundrel had been sent tn the una.
ably. i reckoning. And the Master's malevo-
Myra waited until the other had quaff. icnt will wns more set than ever upon
ea irom me crscxea cup ana men the death of tno rescued .Myra.
she dranK tne contents or tne one sne i
held not without a tremor. Remember-1
Ing the contents of the note, she walked '
(To Be Continued Next Sunday.)
nw.r.1 th. h.H nnd hmran to irrnan. I See ibis eplaoae loamy at iiippo-
"Oh. that has made m llir she ex-1 drome, Dth and X. Y. Ave Advt.
claimed, nutting her hand to hcr head ......,...
and pretending to stagger. Flmt and Second Episode Tod-r,
Teh woman laughed and retreated to ! Georgia Theater. 3-122 Ga. Ave. IV. W.
the door, witn a tnumpnani expression aovc.
on her evil features. But auddenly It I ...
changed! The woman clawed at nen
own throat and gave an Inarticulate '
cry. as the deadly poison began to tako
UIK t'llCWI. , j I
"You chanced the " she began. . '
and then drew a dagger from the folds
of her dress. Unsteadily he lurched1,
toward Mvra. who snatched up a chair.'
to ward off the other's attack. It wns
well that the woman's strength was
waning; even as it was Myra had a
terrible struggle to keep the maddened I
creature at a distance. I
But the deadly draught sudden.v took !
Its Ann! effect and the would-be mur-j
deress felt headlong to the floor, before n. .. ws. i m.
! fnnren'ed .lowly txnd the twolUOfl t UP Up YOUf
j lliutui-u llguica i-''i;i. .... I
The brothers have gone to get tne .
Master, whispered varney to i'edro. j
"Now we must use the pneumogaatrlc l
ciamp'.' 1
in. nthar wnllcad toward Mvra. telling i
hnr- "VV'n urn trvlnar to nvi vou. but I
you must let us hypnotize vou first." J
Myra objected, but the man had
A..a.la V.A mKa... t h .hniilH.! nnill
waist, varney. disguised, was snovmg dandruff, falling hair and other
the body of the dead woman under tho
bed. out of sight, now he turned, ana scaip diseases manifest themselves
aa hla companion held Myra's head and r
body rigid, he drew forth a small U- tn .,--. tn thn. n nf crtane mma.
. . -. .. A au 1 Liui a. iu iiiu ajrf j a uvuu.ii rrxa
GIVE NATURE A
CHANCE
Scalp With Soaps and
Foaming Mixtures
It is a common mistake when
naarai n,, nA . n mrtnn In n rntniaDtIC
atate.
The sound of an automobile was heard
outslrte.
"Now, beware the Master." said var
ney. as they atretclied the girl upon the
bod. "That clasp on that nerve, witn
nypnotlc catalepsis, produces suspended
animation, tie will believe sne is
' dead.
Kvcn as he spake, the Master, accom
panied by another or the Black order,
entered the room.
"Where Is the woman?" he asked.
"8he has gone to tell you of her sue
toward the table, which she gripped I of an hour before, hid affection for Myra
for support. The sympathetic girl ran was reasserting Itself,
to her side and put a supporting arm ' "If I cun only outwit him, without let
about her waist. Ing him suspect!" he muttered to hlm
"Are you HI?" she Inquired gently. self, as he steerrd the car through nar
"I will be all right, when I get Into the i row streets, along quiet roadways, to a
air, my child. Could you please help mo farmhouse on the farthest outskirts of
to my car?" she answered weakly. The
virl armilaaeed. and sunDortlng the
pther, walked slowly to the rear door.
She was so taken by surprise that for
tho moment she did not realize how
the city. "Tl.nt Pedro showed signs of
being a human being perhaps I can get
him to help inn for he fears the electric
chair."
Varney drew up beforo the door or tne
ndH It wnn fnr the old Woman tO enter I hnn,. nn ilnnAl 1nKlrl rurpfllllv muf
the shop from the alleyway, whiio rid- nine his face with a black handkerchief,
lng In an automobile. nnd drawing nn old sloui.li hut down
As sho approacnea trie car, supporting , ovcr his forehead to shield his eyes
tho supposed myaiia, me cnuuueur fr0ITl Myra's possible recognition,
sprang out from his scat to hold open within the place, he found the worn-
Cw rinr nf the Umouslno.
Just as the old woman stepped Inside,
she suddenly caught Myra's arm. and
dragged her after her. Tho chauffeur
none otner man mo "uiu, c..B -
the High Master of the Black Order
pushed tho girl's shoulders with tre
mendous force. . .
He slammed the door shut, and be
fore Myra realized what had happened,
the machine was speeding along the al
ley while the old woman miraculously
cured of her weakness, was sitting on
r-i i-i k.MIni, lior nlnnad to the bot
tom of 'the limousine with a surprising i of Pedro.
an. and Pedro waiting his arrival.
"She fought like a cat, said the wom
an, In a hoarse voice, "But. we, quieted
her. Now she Is locked In the room, and
she can't escape, for the windows are
barred. I told her that no one would
harm her If sho remained quiet.
"What aro you going to do now?"
"Poison or the knife!" hissed the vil
lainous creature, her eyes sparking with
a light which was almost maniacal In
Its cruelty. Varnev shuddecred. and he
noticed a queer expression 6n the face
T
i l . - Ank stl Vior nsrf
vlrney ' chatted' wltirMrs. Maynard
for a few minutes In the front room of
WHh his usual good taste and chival
rous attentlveness he assisted the good
lady In making a satisfactory choice, as
well as purchasing a vase which almost
duplicated the one which he had so
unfortunately shattered.
"Where is Myra?" suddenly asked Mrs.
Maynard, as she was relieved from the
engross task of making a choice
,fOut In that other room, looking at
the Wedgewood. isn't sner; ana varney
walked nonchalantly to the doorway.
"Myra. Myra! Your mother Is ready to
go homer- , . ... ..
mere wm nu icojjumoo, .. ... .-.-,,
nard followed him anxiously, to peer
into the empty room.
areat Scot! She has gone!" ex
claimed Varney, albeit with no dismay
in his manner. "She must be Plnylng a
Joke on us. I wonder If she Isn t hiding
behind some tall grandfather's clock 7"
Mrs. Maynard had a presentiment of
danger, ana sne cauea in a vuxeu miia;
"Myra, Myra! Come out at once!"
But there was no response. They
searched the place thoroughly, and flnat
yl went out to the chauffeur.
"Did Miss Myra come out, Dick?"
asked Mrs. Maynard.
"No, ma'am. I was right here all the
time and would have seen her If she
had." The door was In full view of the
chauffeur, and Mrs. Maynard was mysti
fied and worried, as he persisted In his
statement.
"All that she has done has been to
play a prank." and Varney endeavored
in comfort the anxious mother. "Ill
vnnr that vou will find her at home.
even now. Perhaps she bought aome than .find
But It seemed Impossible now to in
terfere with tho fate of the unfortunate
Myra.
CHAPTER LXI.
Payson Alden'a New Physic.
HE physician's laboratory work
had been Interrupted Just
when he waa getting deepest
Interested In It, by the nrrlval
of a strange looking young man.
"I am a psychic." tho newcomer
told him, "nnd was sent to you by
your friend, Dr. Burnham, who has
trlod a number of experlmento with
me. He said that you would "iirely
give me a trial, and that wo might do
s;me Interesting work toteth)-,'
"What Is your peculiar lino? ' asked
AUIr-n, forcing hlmseif to bo ijrr.ible,
for, Important as his work might be,
he realized that these unexpected op
portunities frequently turned out to be
of value. "I am extremely busy today,
and would like to have you come
around aome time when Wo can work
better together,"
"That's Just It," said tho visitor. "I
was going to leavo for the West tomor
row, but Dr. Burnham Insisted that
you might be able to help me In my
work, and make It of Interest to us
both. I have discovered that I am es
pecially strong along the lino of tele
nathlo haunts. I am a sensitive, al
though I have never done much else
the receiver from the hook and placing
It on the tabls." I don t want to be dis
turbed. They can Just say that I'm
bu.y.' "
Little did he reck that it was the terror-stricken
Mrs. Maynard. trying to
i each him at this supreme moment of
disaster.
And still less could he gueaa what was
going on In tho small farmhouse where
the girl he lovid was a prisoner.
Myra had pccrcc" Into every nook and
cranny of the room In wlhch she waa
confined. But there seemed no way In
which she could escape no manner of
communicating with the outside world.
Suddenly sho beheld something which
sent a spark ot hope Into the blackness
of her respalr.
It was a tumtlcr, set upon a small
table In tho cm ner of the room.
"I wonder If I could use that as a
crystal?" sho muttered. She hurried to
the table and sat down upon a delapl
dated chair before It. Inverting the
tumbler, sho gazed fixedly Into he
Ulars. which began to radiate facets of
brignt lights as she applied the menial
strencth of concentration taught her by
Alden. Dimly within the glass she
caUKht a vision It was that of two men.
As she peered closer she saw that it
was Payson Alden, talking to a blind
folded man.
Here. Indeed, was n curious cross-current
of telepathic influences.
"If I could only reach him," she mur
mured, "I know he Is In his labora-tory--"
But she was Interrupted by the en
trance of tho woman who had made her
captive. The woman was carrying J
small tray, on which were two cups of
milk nnd some sandwiches.
Mvra hid the tumbler, for future ex
perimenting under tho table, as the
woman turned her back to carefully
shut the door.
"Here, mv dear." were her suave
words. " U a little nourishment. Don't
be nervous, for no one will harm you,
If vou remain oulet for a few hours."
Myra Inked suspiciously at the food,
and backed timidly toward the old bod
In the corner of tho room.
She was not aware that Arthur Var
ney. well disguised In an old coat and
u mask, was conversing earnestly with
Pedro outside.
"I will drop the note," snld Varney.
"We must ret rid of the woman some
how, or else go to the electric chair."
The mnn winced at the last two words
and agreed. .....
Varnev nnd the other walked to the
door nnd opened It. They entered It,
to be greeted nngrllv by the woman.
Myra. even more frlgbjened at the
muffled ilgures. controlled herself from
screaming with difficulty.
"Oet out of here!" cried the woman,
angrily. She rushed at them and
ahoved them back through the door
way .but aa she followed them outside
naned anting, which he claaped under , '
Myra's hair, at the base or the skuii. . . ..,.;... rnntnin.
ine gin tried to resist the hypnotic nut oil, ana preparations contain
ing alkalis. If you are doing this,
stop right now.
A dry scalp is the primary cause
of dandruff and similar affections.
The use of soaps or other alkalis
(their presence is assured in prep
arations that foam) serve to dry
cess," said varney. 'Hut. at last youi
nave succeeded." r the scalp. Give your hair a good,
lhe Master regarded the rigid form of ....
the girl, felt her pulso. placed nia eariStiff brushing daily and get yOUT
to hcr bosom, and nodded approvingly. I ' '
scalp back into perfect condition
by the use of Speiser's Scalp Tonic.
This wonderful preparation cor
rects the dryness and other abnor
mal conditions, puts a stop to dan
druff and actually promotes the
growth of the hair. Speiser's Scalp
Tonic is sold only at O'Donnell's
Drug Store, 904 F street. Price,
50c a bottle. Mr. O'Donnell will
refund your money if it fails.
Advt.
Ss he heard no flutter. Mo was strange
ly quiet in nis triumpn, out nis eyes
danced In wicked glee.
"Vou have done well, varney and
i'edro. I shall reward you. Brtng in
i the sack and needle!" he called to the
, man outside. .The member obeyed, witn
a large gunny sack, a ball of heavy
twine, and aome long needles.
"Now, aew her Into tnat, cried tno
Maater, "and we win dispose or the
body in such a manner that we will be
sure."
The Master had walked to the win
dow, aa the other brother left the room
on aome errand, ihe pontm called otter
him and hurried out to give aome ad
ditional Inatructlons. As he did bo. var
ney called to Pedro. They quIcKly lift
ed the woman's body from underneath
the bed substituting It ror Myra's un
conscious form. They placed tho corpse
within the sack and began to sew it
up. The Maater found them thus dili
gently engaged when he returned.
Quick work was made of tha task and
they were soon speeding back toward
the council chamber for the paymont ot
the reward.
Alden's best experiment with the young
psychic was suddenly Interrupted by tho
man's exclamation: "Thtre Is some other
power in this room hero: It Is a presence
and It diverts me from tho search."
The doctor was puzzled, but his be
uiMrmant changed to consternation as
Mrs. Maynard was announced. She weep,
vtnsly told of Myra's dlsanearanco
ond begged the physician to help. The
automobile was outside, she sa'd, and
they would take him anywhere. Alden
snatched up a revolver and donned his
coat. He was Just leaving the psychic
with a short promise to see mm later,
when the young man Interrupted.
"Something tells me I can find her!
It Is something to do with the presence
In this room!" he said. "Blindfold me
and let me lead you."
Alden hesitated, and then his Intuition
prompted him to make the effort. He
agreeed. and the young man. to his own
and Mrs. Maynard's amazement, led
them blindfolded as he was, down the
stairs, with unerring steps, to the auto
mobile. "Let me drive!" he cried to the horri
fied chauffeur, as he clambered Ipto the
driver's seat.
"But you can't see with your eyes cov-
arnri." oblected Dick.
"I don't need to see. The spirit of a
young woman is leading me." was tho
strange reply. They started off, with
misgivings, but the psychic directed the
car with unerring skiii, tatting aarins
turns, and cuts between passing vehicles,
with an uncanny certainty. At last they
drew up before the farm house, now ap
parently deserted. The psychlo was
trembling with nervous excitement, nnd
he leaped from the seat before the oth
era could slide opon the door. He ran
up the path to the house, followed by
Alden and Mrs. Maynard.
"Too late!" groaned the doctor, as he
followed the psychlo Into the empty
room. But the young man, still hood
winked, knelt down by tho bed, ond
touched the hidden body of Myra. He
and Alden drew It out, while Mrs. May
nard screamed.
"She 16 dead!" was her weak words.
but Alden cried: "While there Is life
there Is hope see. sho breathes!" He I
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hidden objects, ride over to berate them she did not noUce the Was holding a tiny mirror before her HP",
t s
u