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WESTERN LIBERAL. Author of -THE OCCA SIONAL OF. FENDER. THE WIRE TAP PERS," "GUN RUNNERS,ETC. NooellxeJnm THE PATHE PHOTO PLAY OF THE SAME NAME 8YNOP8IS. On Vlndwird Island ralldorl Intrigues lira. Oolden Into an appearance of evil which etUMi Golden to captura and tor tura the Italian by branding- hit faca and crushing hla hand. falldorl (looda the la land and kldnapa Qolden'a Utlla daughter Margery. Twelva yeara later In Now York a Masked Ona reacues Marrory from Le gar aitu taxes ner to ner fathers noma, whence aha la recaptured. Mattery" momer iruiuessiy impiorea uoiaen to nna their dauchter. The Laughing- Mask again takea Margery away from Legar. Legar fends to Oolden a warning- and a demand for a portion of tha chart ot windward Island. Margery moats her mother. The chart Is lost In a fight be tween Manley and ona ot Legar hench men, but Is recovered by the Laughing Mask. Count Da Esparcs Acures In a dubloua attempt to entrap Legar .and claims to have killed him. Oolden's house is dynamited during a masked ball. Le gar escapea but Da Escures la crushed In the ruins. Margery rescues the Laughing Mask from the police. Manley finds Mar eery not Indifferent to his love. He saves her from Maukt's poisoned arrows. Man ley plans a mock funeral which falls to accomplish the desired purpose, the cap ture of the Iron Claw and his gang. Mar Kery la saved from death at the hands of the Iron Claw by the Laughing Maak. An attempt by the Iron Claw to blow up tho O'Mara collage Is frustrated In the nick of time. The Laughing1 Mask discloses bis Monti t y to Margery. Margery over heaiM the DOllce'a tilan ta take the Laugh ing Mask prisoner and hastens to warn, Dim. iney escape botn the police ana the Iron Claw. Later the Laughing Mask Is almost taken white with Margery her home. He eludes capture; Margery'! father tells her that the Mask has met death. FIFTEENTH EPISODE The Double Resurrection. As Legar leaned back In tha dim seclusion of bin smoothly running llmouslno bo permitted bis scar-ravaged f tures tho raro luxury ot a twisted sniilo. Behind that leering faco tbo activo brain was marshaling certain past Bvouts and generating certain futuro ichemos. Ono fact w,as lndlsputablo In tho past two men had blocked him at every turn. ThcBo onemlcs wore now out of tho way they woro dead. The llmouslno purred steadily southward through the deepening ibadows of the almost deserted ave nue. It turned Into a mean Bldo street and drow up beside the curb, woll beyond tho rango ot tho sputtering arc light. Two skulking figures sidled out of t gloomy arcaway and approached tho llmouslno os Legar got out. Theso worthies, answering to tho appella tions ot Red Eagan and One-Lamp Loulo, wcro ot that primordial typo which recognizes only the law ot brute torco. So It was that Red Eagan, mistaking Legar's twisted imllo for something approaching good humor, attempted au unusual degroo of familiarity. "Say, gov'nor, I don't want t ralso a holler, but that swell buzz wagon must oat up a pilo ot swag." Legnr replied curtly, with darken jig face. "You'll eet your share of tho stuff, Eagan, no more and no less. But there aro times when that kind ot talk might provo unhealthy, and the sooner the fact penetrates your thick skull tho better." Tho trio cautiously approached a ruinous old Washington Squaro man lion, and slipping into this dubious rabbit warren, crossed the hall, dimly lit by one sickly gas jet. As they started up the stairs, a slender, heavily- veiled young woman cam o hastily out of one of tho rooms on tho top flor She leanod for a moment ovor tho rickety balustrade, striving to plorco tho halt gloom enshrouding tho Identity of the oncoming visitors. Wheeling about tbo young woman darted swiftly through ono of tho half dozen doors off tho hallway. Her re fugo proved to bo a wlndowless walled room cluttered with dilapidated trunks and useless relics of bycono lodgers. From tho depths ot an ancient cab jot, tho veiled stranger drew forth i telephonic helmet. As sho quickly adjusted tbo microphones over her tars sbo hoard tho sound of voleos, rhe voices, restrained and low-toned it first, rapidly became loud and quar relsome Tho angry tones woro thoso of Jules Legar and Red Bagan. The storm it heated words centered about tho leavy Iron safo standing In ono cor ler o.f tho room. Dp to a compara tively short time ago this sat had been tho receptado of certain valu ables looted by Red Eagan and Ono itnp Louie, under Legar's directions, from a palatial upper Fifth avenue lesldence. Tho safo door now stood ipen Its contents scattered promis cuously about the floor, but of tho Van Horn family plato tbero waa no trace. "The guy what cracked this crib bad tho Inside dopo for suro' was Red Bagan's muttered comment. "Aro you trying to Insinuate this Is a flan to double-cross you and Louie!" queried Legar. "I ain't Inslnuatln' nothln', ' was the other's surly responso, "but who olio was hep to where tho stuff was ltedr The answer Red Egan received was Aotlt prompt and effective. A heavy tro eroJeotilA caught him neatly ea the point ot tho Jaw. Ho mrratod limply to tho floor, whero ho lay for a moment in dazod uncertainty. Then with a vindictive oath bo tugged looso his automatlo and fired point-blank at the sardonic face bonding over him. A purplo mist clouded the gunman's aim and tho bull o t apept Itself with a soft plunk in tho plastered celling. Beforo Eagan could flro a second timo, that torrlblo iron projectile attached to tho stump ot Legar's arm desconded again with lightning speed and sent tho revolver spinning to tho other sido of tho room. At tho staccato bark ot tho pistol the statuesquo eavesdropper in tbo storeroom Thad stiffened with rigid ex pectation, but when Legar's Incisivo tones again broko In on her eara sho displayed a sudden and startling ac tivity. Throwing off her metallic headgear, sho quickly up-ended an oblong packing caso and, balancing on this shaky pedestal, worked loose the rusty hasp securing tho heavy skylight. Forcing tho yloldlng frame work gradually upward with her head and shoulders, sho wormed and un dulated her way to tho flat tin roof. Catlike sho took tho ton-foot drop to tho root of tho adjoining house, land ing lightly on her feet, and, scudding through a door opening upon a stair way, made hor way down to the street. A few moments later the meditativo Red Eagan, walking slowly across tho narrow strip of shadowy park, felt aj Hgbt tap on his shoulder. Ho wheeled sharply In his tracks, his hand reach ing Instinctively toward his empty gun pocket. Ho quickly realized ho had nothing to fear from this vollod womnn who stood quietly confronting him, and who In no way rcsombled an emissary from that domed building known as hoadquartors. Sho silently motloucd htm toward a secluded bench near by. Prompted by a vaguo curiosity, Eagan warily followed her. It was not until thoy wero seatod that tho woman of myBtery spoke. "Nevor mind how I know, but you have a heavy scorn to settlo with a ono-armed man cal Ing himself Juica Legar I can holp -ou In this.' At that ror-nent this strango con ference wdj augmented by a third person, who took up his stand behind a thlck-bolod maplo, where ho could hear ovory word spoken. Legar, sur mising tho mutlnouB gunman was in a mood to stir up trouble, had dis patched Ono-Lamp Louie to shadow his formor pal. "Tho plan Is a simple ono your master has mado It appoar that a num ber ot terrible crimes wore perpe trated by bib onomy, the Laughing Mask. Evon tho police have been per suaded to tako that view. But you know, and I know, tho real guilt lies with Logar. This man must bo brought to justlco and the name ot tho Laughing Mask cleared, ovon though ho be dead. This can bo dono only by showing in dotall how thoso crimes wore committed If you will write out thoso details tonight and placo thorn In my hands tomorrow I will seo that your scoro with Jules Legar Is paid In full." Tho woman paused, and then continued evident ly trying a different tact "If you do what I ask faithfully, I will also make good your sharo of the loot which so mysteriously took wings and vanished from Legar's safe. Buf ro membor I havo tho power to punish aa well as to roward. "Como to a place in Jersoy called Roscdale when you get off tho train turn to tho loft and follow tho high way until you seo a big white houso standing on a bill a llttlo way down tho road you will see an old barn on tho edge of a doop gully at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning I will moot you just outsldo that old barn. I will havo your monoy and shall oxpoct you to havo the written statement disclos ing Legar's crimes." Again sho hesitated, and then, hop ing to play on Eagan's apparent cre dulity, added, "Tbo spirit of the dead Laughing Mask Is working with mo. He will watch your every move, un til that paper Is In my hands!" This chance shot told heavily, for tho suporstltlous yoggxnan, while roaring no corporal onomy, possessed an unreasoning dread for anything savoring ot tbo supernatural. Castlng- an apprehonslvo look about him, ho bleated out in terror: "For Oawd's sake, call off the splr- rit, lady. I give yer me dyln' oath an' affydavlt t' do what- yer nxed mo, but I don't want t' go up against no spooks." One-Lamp Loulo, who hod been drinking in this artfully staged flum mery with avid ears, his one good optic almost starting from Its socket, now proclpltatoly rushed to his chlof. As he reported In detail his filched vorslon ot the conversation between Red Eagan and tbo veiled guardian ot departed spirits, it was apparent he shared In no light measure tho superstitious fear of his traitorous confrere. But theso vaporish fancies were quickly dispelled by the crafty minded master schemer. "You're aa bad as some half-witted old woman? falling for that spirit bunk," snapped Legar. 1 suppose 'youU want eomeuno to hold your hand In the dark after this." "If thero ain't no splrrlts mixed up In this deal, gov'nor, who tipped off that bunch o' crape to all this lnsldo gossip she handed Red?" solomnly quorlod the wldo-oyed thug. "Unless I miss my guess thore's a dictaphone planted In this room and I m going to And it If It takes r week,' said Logar. Ho lost no time In making good this declaration, Ashing under tho fur- nlturo, along tho moldings and In the dark corners ot the room with that prohonsllo Iron hook which seemed almost endowed with human intelligence Suddonly he gave a gut tural bark of triumph undor tho heavy Iron safo backed against tho wall ho fpund the objoct of his search and a fow moments' work sufficed to traco the tcll-talo thread of wire back to the storeroom, whero the up ended packing case and unlocked sky light told their own story. "That ought to answer your rav ings," was Legar's quiet-toned com ment to his bowlldorcd lieutenant, and then ho added maliciously, "tbero will bo somo uninvited guests at the noxt seance of your high prlestoss friend, and somehow I havo a feeling that sho and Red are going to Join thoso departed spirits lnsldo of tho next twenty-tdur hours." Tho unsuspecting objoct of Legar's levity, with her features still hoavlly shrouded as on the preceding night, stopped out ot tho sagging doorway of a weather-stained old barn which clung dizzily to tho brink of a precipitous and rock-toothed ravino. As she ap proached tho formal Italian garden ccntorcd about a musically cascading fountain sho percolved a golden-haired girl seated on one of the rustic benches. Presently an elderly, white-haired man, whoso deep-lined faco and trou bled eyes bore muto witness ot past mental Btrlfo, camo slowly down tho graveled walk and stopped beside tho dlBconsolato figuro on tho rustic bench. "You mustn't tako this so to heart, Margery If Davy could speak from the grave ho would tell you to be bravo for his sako and aa for the Laughing Mask that unmitigated Bcoundrol and hypocrlto isn't worth ono of your tears." The reply trembling on Margery's Hps remained unspoken, for at that moment a young woman whoso feo turos wero hidden by heavy folds of black volllng stepped out from be hind a vlno-coverod trellis. "You aro doing tho Laughing Mask a gravo lnjustlco, Enoch Oolden," she cried In a clear and ringing volco, "and even now if you and your daugh ter will accompany mo but a short distance I will place In your hands indisputable proof of what I say." A suddenly reanimated Margery sprang to her feet. Sho turnod to tho unknown Intruder and cried Impetu ously: "Can you really show that tho Laughing Mask was Innocent ot all thoso torrlblo charges? It you can, plcaso, pleaso tako us quickly to whore you havo tho proof." "Walt, Margery," cautioned tho ex-perlence-saddenod banker. "First let this veiled person toll us who sho Is and where sho wants to tako us. This may bo ono ot Legar's tricks, for all wo know." "I am a woll-wlsher of tho Laugh ing Mask. Boyond that I cannot dis close my identity," camo tho guardod roply. "I am unarmed and ask you to go only as far as tho old barn on your own ostato." Still questioning tho outcome ot this dubious venturo, tho stern-faced millionaire finally yieldod to Mar gery's earnest Importuning, and, fol lowing tho black-garbed figuro ot their swiftly moving guldo, they presently stood before tho dilapidated old build ing tottering on tho brink of tho ra vine. At that moment a thick-set, flat-flootcd individual shuffled Into view along tho dusty road, the visor of his cap pulled low over his malev olent bluo-Jowled faco and his boefy fists Jerking uneasily as he walked. Tho woman In black turned to hor companions, and, indicating this un gainly figure, spoko rapidly. "I havo ovory reason to believe that man has kept faith with me, and It I am right I shall be ablo In a fow min utes to place In your hands tbo proof of which I spoko. But It thero should be treachery I wish to faco it alono. You will find that the harness room in tho loft of tho barn has a strong door with heavy bolts. Pleaso wait for mo thero, and at tho first sound ot trou ble barricade yourself until holp comes from tho houso." "This sounds llko a trap," returned the millionaire, with emphatic disap proval. "Como, Margery, come back to tho houso at onco." But Margery Qolden proved to havo a will of her own as well as a surpris ing faith In that mysterious detonder of the Laughing Mask. Taking hor father's arm sho half coaxed, half lod tho protesting master of flnanco into tbo ramshackle old structure which boro IltUo semblance to a citadel ot defense. So far everything had gone in ac cordance with tho carefully laid plans of tho muffled strategist, and with a feeling that victory was within her reach, she' quickly approached Rod Eagan, who was waiting near by with undisguised Impatience "Sure, I got what yer lookln' fer, lady," ho answered in reply to hor look of Interrogation, "but between them splrrlts an' a cramp in mo mitt, I'vo bad cne 'oil ot a night" Reaching into an Inner pocket Red Eagan drow out a grimy lnk-splasbed paper. "This 'ere dockyment will put th' bug on that iron claw gorilla all right. Now, tt yor ready f come across wld " The gunman'a words were suddonly cllppod short by tho sharp crack ot a pistol. A look of surprised consterna tion camo Into Red Eagan'a face for a moment ho swayed unsteadily on his feol thon slowly crumpled Into a heap of Inanlraato clay. Into tho startlod vision of his companion came a black limousine furiously racing along tho highway, tho evil faco of Legar plainly discernible as ho leanod far out from tho swaying vohiclo, emptying his automatic In their direc tion. Thero was not a moment to lose. Snatching the crimson-stained paper from undor tho limp body ot tho slain gunman, tho woman ran swiftly toward tho old barn, reaching that sanctuary just as Legar and his confederates swarmed out of tho llmouslno in hot pursuit Through tho sagging portals and up tho rickety stairs sho darted, the wolfish pack close at hor heols. For a brief instant she surveyed hor surroundings. Be hind tho heavy oaken door of tho harness-room sho know Margery and her father had taken rofugo in accordanco with her Instructions, and sho must In no way Jeopardize their safety. Close by a broken window, over looking tho depths of tho rocky gorgo, stood a shabby old-fashioned trunk. It took but a moment for tho harried fugitive to scramble into that ancient roceptacle, but oven as sho lowered tho covor Logar and his honchmon stormed up tho narrow stairs. Tho quick eyo of the master crook caught the movement of that closing' trunk covor. Grinning with unholy exultation, ho turned to his unsavory crow of followers. "Tako that trunk and throw it out tho window," snarled Logar. "Wo'vo caged our bird all right, and when sho hits thoso rocks she won't feel llko meddling with my business for somo time to como." As ho led his murderous band out of the old building toward the ab ruptly sloping wall of tho ravine, tho door ot the harness room slowly opened and Enoch tlolden stopped out, closely followed by his horror-stricken daughter. "I could seo plainly through that crack In tho door," murmured tho whlto-faced girl, "tho poor woman trlod to hldo In a trunk and Legar had his men drop her from tho window." Tho distressed look in her eyes changed to one of suddon bewilder ment". From out of tho cobwebbed mouth ot a grain chuto, ovor which tho trunk had been resting, appeared tho head nnd shouldors of tho veiled stranger. As sho regained hor foot ing on tho rough boarded floor sho drew from tho InBlde of her black gown a crumpled and blood-stained paper. This sho quietly handed to tho Btaruea gin. "Hero Is tho proof I promised you," woro hor low-toned words. "But how did you eBcapo from tho trunk?" interrogated tho still bewild ered Margery. "Who aro you? And why did you risk your llfo to clear tho namo of tho Laughing Mask?" The woman replied calmly. "Half tfid bottom of tho trunk was broken away and it was easy for mo to slldo through tho opening into that grain chute. As to who I am, tho time has como when I am ready to rovoal my identity." Tho woman of mystery, with a quick movomont, tore off her heavy vei and with It a wig of dark hair, disclosing a clean-cut and boyishly handsomo face. An In credulous gasp of surprise burst from Margery's lips "Davy!" she shrilled Joyfully. "Oh, Davy, you havo como back to us from the dead." "Yes, I havo como back to you," anBworod tho resurrected Manley, "soon I will toll you tho wholo story, but now unless we aro to fall Into the clutches of Legar and his band of cutthroats wo must loavo this building at once." e A llttlo later Manley sat on tho white-pillared veranda rolatlng his strange story to a group of Hstonors. "I remomber a torrlblo explosion," ho said reflectively, "then the mau soleum camo tumbling down about my ears like a houso ot cards. After that everything seemed to get dark, and about a woek ago I camo to my sonses lying on a cot in a hospital. You must havo mistaken some other poor beggar for mo, and, whllo every ono thought I was dead, it soemod like a good chance to catch Legar 'off his guard. I got tho papor I wanted, but I guess I've stirred up a hornet's nest." Ono of the Hstonors was a bull necked individual with a reddish brown complexion, wearing the uni form of a captain ot police. He now shuffled his foot uneasily. "That's all very intcrestln', younff man," ho broko In with an air of Im patience "but I've como all tho way to this Jumpln' off place from head quarters to get that -Van Horn loot you" say you lifted out ot Legar's safe. "I'vo got a couplo ot shoo fly cops from Jersey City workln' with mo on this job and It's time we got down to business." "All right. Captain Brackelt," re joined the smiling Davy as he roso to his foot, "wo can get tbo stolen plato whenever you'ro ready. Tho stuff Is down at tho old barn htddon In ono of tho feed bins. Wo had Negus, tho second man, mount guard over it with a rifle until you camo." As tho group moved toward tho stops ot tho veraüda a stoop-shouldered -old gardener pottering over a nearby tulip bed straightened fits blue-ovoralled figuro and touched hla cap respectfully. His patriarchal beard, streaked with gray, almost covered hla lcU arm. which he bor in a Una; I Improvised! from a red bandanna nand- kerchior knotted ovor nis snouiuor. I "You can let that work go and come 1 along with, us." Oolden ropllod, and ' as ho caught sight of tho stalwart i figure of ono of tho undorgardoners amid tho shrubbery he added, roneo- tlvely, "and bring Pbtor with you. Fishing In tho depths of a moldy bin, Davy drow out a heavily weighted gunny Back, which clanked musically to tho oars ot tho russet-faced pollco captain. "This is goin to mako Borne stir at hoadauarters," ho glootod, tenderly re placing tbo yellow mctaiiod ainnor set. "an I'vo got a hunch that ono-armed crook ain't so far off. Well send tho swag up to tho houso an' thon beat ovory inch of the gully for this bunch of rattlesnakes." This plan mot with Oolden's approv al, and bo turned to tho old gardener who was standing with mouth agape. "Hero. Tim," he ordered, "tako Peter and Nogus and get this bag up to the house. Tell Miss Margory I want it locked in tho gunroom safe, and keep that safe guarded carefully until wo get back." It was with much dubious head shaking that old Tim accepted this apparently unwelcome trust, and hob bled off In company with Peter, who bore the treasuro sack on his shoulder, whllo the perturbed Negus trailed close behind with his rifle As thoy reached tho graveled drlvoway swing ing in a graceful halt circle under tho columned porto-cochcro tho head gar dener stopped as though struck by a sudden thought "Bo gorryl" he ejaculated, "th mas ther clano forgot ho kapes that safo locked up ontolroly, nary a soul but hlmsolf ltnowln' th combination Na gua, bo a good lad and run back an' ask him what'U wo be doln' with th' sack." Tim nnd hla rnmrifinlnn nntnrnd thn house and made their way along high ly polished floors to tho gunroom at tho furthor end of the imposing hall. Horo they found Margery Goldon, who Hfltnnpd with nmnnnrl Intnrnat in thn old Irishman's voluble description of the treasuro. "Thero wan no nnennsltv for (tnnrilno- Negus back," she exclaimed, "I know tho combination of tho safo aulto as woll as father." A Btartllnir transformation midden. lv took nlaco In tho nnrsnn nf nlrt Tim. Tho stoop vanished from his back, and with a quick movement ho fróod his loft arm, carried in a sling by his side. Tho noxt moment that loft arm, bearing a heavy hook ot wrought iron, crashed down upon tho skull of tho unsuspecting Peter. With a Danther-llko snrlnp thn mntn. morphoscd gardener was upon tho bo wllderod clrl bendlnir ovor thn unfa. nnd again that cruol Iron claw shot out, clutching her arm aa In a viso. With a derisive laugh of triumph Lo gar toro off his false trappings, his tnm lips gave a shrill, penotratlng whistle. In response to this signal a faint shuffling nolso came from tho dlroctlonof tho fireplace, and two of Legar's followers, with faces black ened llko Imps of darkness, sprawled out. At a curt command from their grim-faced leador they quickly bound tho shrinking girl, and, tying a hand kerchief over her mouth, dragged her across tho floor Into tho fireplace. Le gar caught up tho sack of disputed plunder, and, clawing his way up the ragged lining of tho murky chlmnoy fluo, vanished. Even as the quaint personality of old Tim mergod Into that viciously depraved character, Jules Legar, the baffled group of searchers returning to tho old barn saw approaching them tho rheumatic stooped figuro of tho old gardener who carried his left hand In a red bandanna sling. "What does this mean, Tim?" Enoch Goldon Interrogated sternly. "I thought I told you to guard tho sato until wo roturned." "Faith an' I don' know phwat yo molght be talkin about, MiBther Gol den," rejoined tho old man quorulous ly. "th new docthuro yor was afther sendln' to look at mo hand gave mo a shlapln' powdher to relavo th' pain an' said 'twas yo'or ordhors to stay in mo bod th' whoilo." Into tho faces of his startled listen ers flashed bewildered amazement, then they rushed with ono accord toward tho distant manor houso. Davy was already throwing his slondor weight against the "bolted door of tho gunroom and calling out words of encouragement to tho gentío girl he believed was In that room. Tho strong-armed police captain, seizing a medieval battlo ax which ornament ed the wall, smashed In tho locked door with a couple of well-directed blows. The men stormed across tho threshold of tho gunroom, thon stopped short In blank surprise Tho windows wore shut and fastened from tho lnsldo, tho limp and sprawling Po tor lay whero he had been droppod In his tracks, but of Margery Golden and the burlap sack there was no traco. It waa Davy who, eagerly circling tho room, picked up by tho fireplace a dainty square ot filmy lace, and rec ognized It as that samo handkerchief which a llttlo earlier had fluttered lta friendly mossago to him from Mar gery's hand aa she stood on tho vo randa. His quick eyo noted the marks of grimy Angora on tho wood work and tho layer of dislodged soot coating the brick flooring ot tho flro placo. Tho noxt moment ho dived into tho gloomy throat of tha chimney and gained a narrow ledge formed by tho Junction of tho gunroom chimney with one leading to another wing ot the house. Cautiously peering" about for some sign of hla unseen foe, Davy caught a brief glance ot a swaying shadowy figure perohM high above him. Thin, with a muffled oath, that tottering fiiruro came avalanchlng down the chimney, and landing on the narrow lodge, gripped at Davy aa a drowning man clutches a floating bit of wreck age ' Tho Interlocked antagonista hurtled headlong down tho shaft into tho fireplace of tho gunroom. It was duo to tho fact that Legar's picked assas sin had landed undornoath, and brok en tho forco of Davy's fall, that the badly shaken socrotary owod his lite. At that instant a volley ot staccato reports, like -those ot a galling gun going Into action smote their ears.' "Theyve stolon tho Mercury," criad the frantic millionaire, "and If thoy've stopped to put tlio Arrow out of com mission they can show a clean pair ot heels to anything on tho lake". To Enoch Oolden's Intenso relief, the machinery ot tbo high-powered Ar row had not been tampered with and soon tho chase waa on. The delicate mechanism of tho Mer cury revolted at tho unskilled han dling of hor clumsy-fingered onglneer. Sho began to miss badly, while her speed perceptibly diminished. Legar caught up his glasses and for a mo ment Intently studied the on-coming Arrow, which was evidently gaining. Thon, with a quick twist ot the stoorlng wheel, ho sent tho racing power boat heading directly for tha nearest shore Even as her sharp prow grated over the shelving beach Legar and his villainous crow swarmed over the sido, carrying tho fettered girl and tho burlap sack with them. They scrambled hastily up tho em bankment of tho railroad track skirt ing tho lake, Just as tho enraged father of the abducted girl boachod tho pulsating Arrow and sprang has tily ashore Hampered by his captive and tho heavy sack of loot, the master schem er realized he could not hope to out strip his opponents by ordinary meth ods of flight But tho evil genlua ot the man was equal to tho occasion. At a llttlo distance down tho track a dozen Italian laborers were busy re pairing the roadbed, under tho super vision of a burly Irish foreman. The handcar on which theso men .went to and from their work had been set off to- ono side of tho tradk near where Legar was standing. "Got that handcar back on the ralla and be quick about It," came his sharp command to tho men. With his bur den ho loaped aboard and was laugh ing at his pursuers as he raced away, Just then an automobile of ancient vtntago, driven by a stupid rustic, camo wheezing up the highway, which paralleled the railroad. " s- "Wo want to catch a handcar that Just went up tho track!" shouted Gol don. "I will pay you $100 to holp us." Legar had congratulated himself too soon on tho ease of hla escapo. As tho handcar started tolling up a long, gradual grado, ho looked back and saw the automobile loaded with armed men In ot pursuit. But ho checked his muttered oath as the sputtering car struck tho hill, slowed down and finally came to a dead stop. Tho heavy load had proved too much for the time-worn engine. Legar could seo his opponents gottlng out of tho balky automobile, which, re lieved of its burden, started crawl ing up tho hill, with its pasBongera hurrying behind It Then tho handcar reached tho crest of tho rise and went rapidly coasting down tho incline on tho other side But Legar know that eventually he must bo overtaken. Human s'lnowa could not prevail against the power driven vehicles of his, enemies. At that moment thero beat in upof his ears tho long-drawn scroech of a locomotive whistling for a crossing. With a look ot fiendish hato, Legar stooped and lifted Margory. Golden from tho rough flooring of tho Jolting handcar and droppod her between tho glistening rails. In a breathing space his victim would be ground to death beneath the ponderous driving wheels of the en gine rushing down upon hor. But in that breathing spaco an incomprehen sible thing took place At somo dlstanco beyond the foot ot tho incline tho rails, sweeping In a wldo curvo, around a bend In tho road, were lost to sight It so happonod that Just around this bend tho switch ing apparatus used to throw freight trains on to a siding was undorgolnt certain repairs at tho hands of a blue Jenned track walker. This man, all unconaeioua of threatening tragody. had finished hla labors and waa wip ing his grimy hands on a pleco oi cotton waste Suddonly he became conscious of a motionless figuro stand ing besldo him. - As he glanced up he saw the-stranger's, faco was covered by a mask, silt by a grotosquely laughing mouth. Without a. word this strango figure bent and grasped tho long lever con trolling tho switch! and tho train rolled onto the siding. The half-conscious girl fólt herseli lifted by tender arms and laid on a soft bed of grass. A hazy figuro bent ovor her, cutting away the cruelly biting thongs and gently chafing her wrists. Then she folt a kiss Imprint ed on her aching hand, but when 8ho oponed hor eyoa tho strangor waa gone. In his place came the figures ot hor tortured -father, the anxious Davy and tho solemn-faced pollco cap tain. "What yon. say is Impossible," Enoch Oolden said soothingly. "Tho man la dead." "But it waa tho Laughing Maak, 1 tell you," Margory wearily answerod. "I aaw him plainly, and besides, Jho kissed my hand boforo ho went away.' fTO aa CONTINUED, u