,-r CAW • "WtPtf. IWWW^iy^M. ^

Afl n | ■• H mi i. cow Each Episode Suggested by a Prominent Author ScriUiutioo by HUGH WEIR uid JOE BRANDT Produced by the Universal Film Mumfscturiny Company [Copyright. IRIS, by the Universal FUm Manufacturing Company.]

Liquor and the Law Suggested by IRVIN S. COBB. Author of "Back Home" Aod "Judge Priest Stories" DIDLEY LARNIGAN. district attorney of New York, was a man who would never be sua;<ected of^iysterlcal fear. Hla word was good. When be said a thing It was taken for granted that be knew exactly what be was talking about and that he had the facts to back up hla statements. And yet he was at this time almost the laughingstock of the city that had swept him Into office at the last election by an unprecedented majority. The newspapers, while they did not Actually attack him, made fun at him. Hla own friendB looked at him likuce. Even hla own son. Brace Tmrmifun an unpaid and volunteer as■totaat In the district attorney's office, ■bared the prevailing opinion, at least to a certain extent Father and wo were talking. Tve no doubt that thefe's a good deal of graft We *11 know there la. to fact" said Brace. "It's not eo very long since I was admitted to the bar, and. of course, 1 haven't been In this office long, but I've seen a few thing* Still, to say that there la a syndicate made up of respectable men, big bus! Mess-men. that practically makes a business of crime— I think yon want Brett j far. dad" < . pa die y Larnlgan sighed. He wasn't at all angry. He looked at his son patiently and a little wearily. "Yon think I went pretty far." be ■aid. "Half the city tlilnka I'm insane. I believe. And yet I shall prove, if I live, every charge 1 have P"ii» . i' eljall prove that the most powerful organization this country has ever seen has Its center right here In New York — an organization founded eel the determination to Secure unfalr Mdyfajn — graft — tor Its members. a Asll nm ttort this orrantssctos ■wtf not stop and has not stoppsd tot Brace laughed uncomfortably. "Ckn't yon tell me more. the*?" he Baked. "Why, there most he men to this organization that I know — men who are supposed to be respectabier "Supposed to be respectable!" said Ms father bitterly. "Why. they're the tosrttng men of the dty— of the whole •eon try. They are business men who I

? It Was a Yellow, Grinning 8kuU.

are the leaders of our greatest Industries. They control the business of the country as It is, tout they want to ; get everything Into their own hands. They want to stifle all competition. They are not content with the fair, legitimate profits. They want to get graft In every line and so double their profits. If they are not checked they will get a strangle hold on the nation. They will control elections everywhere; they will name one of them- . ■elves aa president, and this country J will cease to be a republic" Brace hesitated to answer. He sew ghe wild light in his father's ejm. He ! knew his father better than the mac •stride who laughed at bin, wh» had , Jssrrd the speech that had started all the trouble Never had Dudley Lara) . gan since his too could rem —tor tolled to make good am statement,' «7 PMohM- Yet to beBsve . what he brord now-called for tmm ,

faith than Brace could muster. He j was about to say something of the 1 sort when there was an interruption. I There was a knock at the door, and j an office boy uppeored, bearing a parcel, which he banded to the district I attorney. "This came by special messenger, j sir," he said. "The boy said there was j no answer, and he wouldn't say where It came from." i Bruce took the package and took out - his pockei knife, making to cut the 1 String, but his father checked him. ■ "Let me see that a moment," he said. He studied the writing of the ' address carefully, and then, with a 1 gesture of dislike and distrust, he | shrugged his shoulders. "I thought | so," be said. "It's from them." ! Bruce laughed aloud. "What do you mean, dad?" he asked. "Are you afraid they're sending you a | bomb?*', | "No; I don't think so." said Larnlgan quite seriously and heedless of hla son's jesting tone. "I doU't believe the time 1 Las come for that yet. Open 11. Brace. [ We might as well see what's in It" Brace cut the strings, tore off the paI pere. and then, as the contents of the package were revealed, be started back. ' filled for the moment with horror. It

"I shall an fores ths law." I »*»•,, Wire™ IIN low.

was a yellow, grinning skull that b# revealed, and on its forehead some words were written. "Let the liquor trust alone," Brace read. "We will phone for your an- | Dudley larnlgan looked at him. "You see. Bruce." be said, "there are some who take this business mors aeriously than yon do." * "But — why— this Is a Joke — a silly, senseless, practical Joke!" exclaimed Brace. "Surely they wouldn't try seriously to frighten you with a stagy old trick like this?" "Whether they tried seriously or not, they succeeded." said his father, "for I am certainly frightened. Bruce." Brace stared at him Incredulously. "You are frightened— by this?" said Bruce, looking from bis father to the grinning skull. "Dad. you need a rest. Your nerves are upset You've been overworking. Y'ou'd better take a vacation and get back Into shape." Dudley larnlgan shook his head sadly. "I shall take no vacation until 1 have beaten the grafters or until they have beaten me," he said. "I have been waiting for the time to come, Bruce, when I could take yon into my confidence regarding this. I see that nothing 1 can say will convince you -that this is a real and deadly danger that I face. But the proof will come soon enough. It will be unmistakable when it does come. I know that 1 can count on you, my boy — that if they succeed in getting me out of the way they will still have to reckon with you. " In spite of himself Bruce waa beginning to be affected. His father waa so serious, waa so evidently in deadly fear, that Brace could not help being moved. It was impossible for him to believe when he tried to think things out that there waa any basis for his father's fear, but it was equally impossible for him to believe that a m'i like Dudley Larnlgan would give way to panic without the very gravest res "You needn't wait Brace," said hla father finally. "I have a good deal of work to do, and 1 shan't need you." Brace got up ahd moved hesitatingly toward the door. Just then the telephone on his father's desk rang out sharply. Dudley Larnlgan before he answered pointed to another Instrument and Brace, understanding, lifted lis receiver to INten to the conversation. A strnug. .olee. evidently disguised. Came thii.it to his ear: "HellolJrSfcllo: la this District Attorney liirnigsu?" -Yes." -Larnlgan, you know who to i— h If ytm are in doubt took at fhs tk*C we sent you."

•Yam looking at 11." ^ J the symbol of Hie -uncertainty of llfa. t We admire you— we admire any strong i and brave enemy. But do not mistake foolhardlness for bravery. You can t never beet ua. and you wlB sacrifice I yourself if you try. We do not offer i you money. Leave us alone— or you i will suffer." I "I shall do my duty. Yon have had i before the only answer I shall ever 1 give you. I am Bworn to uphold and enforce the law. I shall do so at what- i ever risk to myself." J "Remember, this Is the last chance i you will have to save yourself. We bear you no in will; we do not want • to be obliged to move against you. but ( if you do not yield your blood be on a your own head." i "I shall enforce the law. 8ooner or i i later you will pay the penalty for all ; your crimes." | ! And on the word Dudley Larnlgan. , ; his forehead beaded with heavy drops | . of perspiration, "slammed the receiver , [ Into the book He rose and stared at ] ■ Bruce. • i t I "Now d ■> you believe?" . he said. , j "You beard what I said. I think I , have one chance in a million to es- ] . i": cape them. I am a marked man. It Is , , s j impossible for me to guard myself ef- j . fectively. Yet I shall go on." i t "You said you were afraid." said j , Bruce. ' , "And so 1 am. I live In deadly fear, j . ) Bnt. no matter bow mnch 1 fear them, | . , I fear my own conscience mora They , L can neve r punish me, no matter what j , ! they do. as would my own conscience ' , I if I betrayed my trust." For the moment Brace managed to shake off the depression that his fs- , ther's mood and all the other clrcum- , , stances had induced. "They're trying to fright :en you," | , he said. "Good Lord, this is the twen- . , tleth century! They're trying to , , frighten you with old tricks. They'd ; never dare actually to use violence." , "We 8 hall see," said his father. "At | least I shall do my duty, no matter | s what the outcome may he, as long aa , , I am spared. And I have faith enough , I In you, my son. to believe that if the , men who are opposed to me give the . last proof of the truth of my words ] you will take up that duty and make | It your own.'* Bruce shook hla bead sadly as be ! . went out. It seemed to him that he ' , had hit upon the truth— that hW father j was breaking down from overwork and j | that he waa taking seriously a melo | , dramatic and absurd campaign of blackmail. "No doubt attempts are being made to dissuade him from doing his duty," , said Bruce to himself, "hut he is al- , lowing himself to be upset by threats - that would only have amused him a - few years ago. Poor old dad!" ; , Bruce himself had a pleasant er- > ; rand. Hla stepa took him to the home I - of Roger Maxwell, whose vast Inter- ; eats Id the field of insurance had | . caused him to be known commonly as | . the bead of what was called the la- | i surance trust. But It was not the ! i great financier that Brace went to see. ' • He seemed to be well known at the j • , bouse. The servant who answered hla i , ring smiled ns she took hla hat and I •Mic't- , i "Miss Dorothy's In the library, sir," «be said. "She Is expecting you, air, | Dorothy Maxwell as Bruce entered | , l be room was standing near a win- j dow. As she beard his step she turned. with a glad little cry, and came i straight to him. | I "Brace." she said. "I'map glad! You i weren't sure that yon could come." i i He took her in bis arms and kissed < her. I | "I usually manage to come, though, i I don't I?" be said, with a laugh. "StllL > ' it did look doubtful. Dad. you know"— I He stopped, and she frowned a lit- ' He. p "Whatever Is the matter with your I father. Bruce, dear?" she said. "Fa- t ther says he must have gone suddenly t mail to make such a speech; that he's 1 antagonized all the solid business me uuiagoiiuMNi an me souu business

in New York by the wild statements h made. 1 think— I'm afraid he isu quite as pleased as he was a* the ide of our— of our engagement"— "It's got uuthing to do with us!" d« clared Bruce uugrily. "I'm not r« sponsible for my father's actions, think myself he's wrong about thin that he's Ix-cu excited by tbluga tha have happened. But 1 can't let you fatber criticise him to uie""Of course not." she sahl soothlnglj "And he wou'ti I'm sure. And, an] , how. Bruce, dear, we're not going t quarrel, you and I, even If It turns ou that our fathers do." Bruce was about to reply when h looked over Dorothy's shoulder an saw two men In the next room. On was her father. Roger Maxwell; th other waa -Stanford Stone And Stont who did not know that Bruce couli see him, was regarding them witl such a malevolent expression in hi usually inscrutable eyes that Brno was startled. Stone at this time wa reckoned the most powerful man ij the great financial world of New York He was concerned In a hundred grea enterprises, flven the Sunday newa papers did not pretend tp estimate the size of his vast fortune: But while Bruce. ^Hindering, was on the very point of saying something to Dorothy. Stone broke into a smile. He took Roger Maxwell's arm. and the two older men came into the library. Both greeted Bruce in the most friend ly fashion, while Stone shook Dorothy's hand, his eyes devouring her. "I hear I'm to congratulate yon. young man." saM Stqne, and Dorothy blushed l>ecomlhgly. "By the way. I yojjr father's given h}» frk(Bfif-sad I ' want you to remember tbstltoe oat of ' tbabeat of tl^em— a good deal «f aax ! toty lately. Cant yon persuade him to » 1

to£t a rait? He ought te go toilto vfesM . aaa-ptoy colt tar a wosk er two— get sntlraly rid of the strain aafi worry of his efBee." -I suggested something of that sort him today, sir." said Brace. "£nt ltfa always been very hard for my mother and myself to persuade him to spare himself In any way. He works as kard aa If be hadu't a cent in the world, and. ns a matter of fact, he's a fnlrty rich man." "That's always the way— always the war." said Stone. "WeH, do the best you can to persuade him. thy boy. He needs thtotost." "1 thtok no. too." said Maxwell. "Dorothy, suppose yon take Brace somewhere else. Stone aod 1 have some business to talk over. and^weH need the palters I have In my desk In our bilk." Bruce and Dfirothy were not at all loath to To'. They smiled at one another ns they went, and neither turned to see the look that Stauford Stone sent after tbetn. a look that might well aroused Brace's fear and wonder had h- seen It. knowing what he did of Stone's power. Meanwhile District Attorney Land- ! gan had stated at his office long j enough to finish some Important work i and tljen had taken his place in his au- ! tomoblle. | "Drive me around the long way j Jack." he said to his chauffeur. •The air la so beautiful today that I ' think It will rest me Just to ride around. Go up Into the country along j the river and don't turn back until It's i time to get me home for dinner." "Yes. air," said the chauffeur. Brace got borne long before hla father's return. In spite of his feeling concerning his father's fears. Brace was worried. As for his mother, she had always opposed her husband's entry Into public life, and she waa worried every time he was few minutes In getting home. Brace tried to calm her Increasing nervousness, tout himself waa worried, and as It grew dark he stood In the hall, looking for the rays from the headlights of the car that would herald hla, father's coming. At last he saw them, far down the drive that led to the His heart leaped happily, and j went back to call his mother. I "Here be comes, mother. It's all I right, o' course!" he cried. "You were | silly to be worried." ! Bbe was In the conservatory at the I of the house, cutting flowers for the dinner table, and he had to go well I away from the front door to find her. I Then he slipped an arm aronnd her waist, and they walked through the great hall together. They heard the car stop outside and heard Dudley voice giving some order car started again, and then out- | side there was a muffled cry. Mrs. | Larnlgan screamed. Bruce leaped forI.ward. The door burst open, and hla father staggered In, clutching convulsively at his side, and fell. Bruce took ow 'took. He saw the blood that stained the floor, and then, as hla j mother, transformed by the need of j action and gaining control of herself, I went to work to stanch the flow of blood. Brace raced for the telephone. gave a number and waited im[tttlently for the answer. "Hello, hello!" be cried at last "Dr. Morgan? Hurry over here, doctor. Bruce Larnlgan talking. My father's been badly hurt It's very serious, I'm afraid. Yes. bring your Instruments." Tben be helped his mother to do what little there was to be done before tbe doctor's arrival. Together tbey got tbe wounded man on a couch and made blm as comfortable as tbey could. He bad fainted and was no I conscious. His breathing was heavy, and a growing, spreading gravj In his cheeks told Bruce, little as was used to such scenes, that there little hope, If any. Tbeu Bruce telephoned to tbe iioHce. he could give no clew— be had not taken the time to try to .find the assassin. But then, as he heard the doccar chugging up outside. Brace

i ' Bruce Was 'Making a Splendid Cam1 paign.

6 went to the door and flnng It open. | I Pinned to the dooraill was a note writ- i - ten on rough paper In an unformed i - hand . \ • "Compliments of the fifteen!" < That waa alL Bnt it was enough. I Bruce shuddered with terror and re- , ■ morse as he realized tbnt his father I , be<en right- that he had been mark- i [ ed for death by j;n Impl.K-ahleetganlza- ,j f Hon, which had struck Mm down at i . on Ms own ' doorstep. Then ths , doctor came. At the sight of Laralgu |

"^"emwion* "^Tbera1 J'wiOdng'l < can do— except perhaps to bring him I to before— before he— he goes." Bruce, speechless, nodded, and the 1 doctor bent down and used a hypodermic needle. Iu a few moments Its effect waa manifest. Dudley Laral- 1 gan's eyes cpened. and he reached out a hand gropingly. Brace took" It and bent down to listen. "You will believe — now"- be said painfully and with a mighty effort "It Is the work of tbe fifteen— of the graft syndicate. Hunt them down— tree this land of this mighty graft trust. Finish my work— ran for district attorney**— His voice died away: tben. with a tremendous effort he spoke again, one word. "Mary!" be said feebly. With tears streaming down his cheeks Brace turned to his mother. She leaned over, and It was In her arms that Dudley Larnlgan died. And, standing over his body. Brace swore that he wonld be true to the trust his fatber

Dorothy Trtsd to Follow Him In Vain.

haw imposed Upon him— that be would avenge his death and bring hla murderers to Justice. Against tbe adriee of his friends, against the pleadings of Dorothy Maxwell, agalust bis mother's urgings even. Bruce stuck to his determination. The murder of Dudley Larnlgan bad thrown tbe reform elements of the i city into a panic. This terrible and sinister proof of tbe powers of tbe forces of graft bad caused a revulsion 1 of sentiment. Men who had assailed the dead district attorney as a fanatic and a hysterical demagogue for his great speech attacking graft bad to ad- 1 mit that there had been some basis f„r bis sensational accusations. But these same men were afraid to move. So It had liceu easy for Bruce to secure the reform nomination for district attorney No one else wanted It. The graft syndicate bad made It too plain that |M-rlI as well as honor went with the office Bru<e was making a splendid cam palgn. too. n-ali -q the forces of graft All tbe loner, vh lou« elements of iht city tver,. arrayed against lilni. Ftom the dives, the gam! ling hoiirps, the haunts of the druc sellers and the men and women who lived on vice and depravity, on crime and Ignorance, the forces of evil sent out their cohorts aguinst him. But Bruce, dwelling always on his father's martyrdom, on his own determination not only to avenge tbe dead man. but at whatever risk to himself to continue to fight against all the forces that were exploiting the poor and the Ignorant, .made a great Impression and Increased His own popularity tremendously. He developed Into an effective speaker. and his bitter, ringing speeches made many converts to his cause. Dorothy Maxwell had op|K»sed his en- ; trance into the campaign since she 1 feared for his safety. Dorothy was i beginning to be haunted by frightful j suspicions, suspicions 6he had not dared I i as yet to communicate even to Brace, j < But once be was in the fight she I stood by him. Ungrudgingly she eon- j sen ted to tbe postponement of their | . marriage that was made inevitable | • since It was Impossible for him to take ] , the time for his wedding during the J campaign. And Dorothy, herself an j ardent advocate of woman suffrage, ! did all she conld to array the women . of the dty on his side. "Women can't vote," she said in a ] speech she made to a suffrage organ- , ization, "hot they can influence the • men who can. Let every woman here go to the polls with some man and see that he votes right— for Larnlgan, and , decency, against graft and corruption." ( Thousands of women took up that cry, and the graft organization, which expected a walkover when it had eliminated Dudley Larnlgan, began be worried and to see that it had removed one only to raise up another In b\B place whose youth made him even more formidable and dangeroua And meanwhile Dorothy grew mere and more suspicions. She learned that

campaign." he said. ;'Yas*ake ma look ridiculous." He said this In the prassaoawf {Radford Stone, but Dorothy was not afmlff to speak her mind "I have a right to Hvs my own HffT sne flashed. "Why are you so opposed to Bruce?" "Beet use he's n demagogue, a dumgero^Lman." said Maxwell. "Ha, * rich is siding with the poor— th* Social^V and the anarchists. He "Is a traitor to his own class." ' "Now, Maxwell. Miss Dorothy to entitled to her own view." said Stone soothingly. Bnt Dorothy bad btgua to distrust Stone. She refused to aocept hlin as an ally. Bruce had told her of a discovery he had "made. Stone, while pretending to be friendly, had secretly contributed heavily to the campaign fund of the opposition. Election day came. Bruce, in his office, waited, knowing he had done hla best The result was with the voters. Would they trust him? Would th flj give him tbe power he required to <!fl his work? He was waiting for Dorothy. She came at last. "You're going to win. Brace," she aald as he took her In hla anna. "1 know It! I feel it!" And thep came Stoae. "Well," he said, "how doss It look?" "Bad for you." said Bruce nncompromlalngly. Stone laughed, with an excellent assumption of amusement "My dear boy," he said, "why <to you mistrust me? I'm your frisud." Bruce looked at him. And Just then there was a scuffle at the door. A rough looking man burst Iu and me do for Brace, waving a knife. Bums with a quick leap grappled with Mm, sstxad his hand and bat tbe wrist back tlQ the knife dropped. Then quite calmly he pushed him out "Just an election rowdy," too said, with a smile. He handed Bruce ibt knife "Perhaps you'll believe Th your friend now. Well, IU toass yoa.1* "I'm grateful, Mt Stone" saVd Brace. But he waa puxsled aa be looked ht Dorothy. Then hla eyes fell on a bit of paper the thug had dropped. He picked It up and cried out In aurpriaa and delight. "Look!" be said. He gave It to Dorothy, and together they looked at It It was s typewritten ■Up and read: Come alone. For safety we wto admtt but one man. Will outline plan regarding Laraku should he be elected. Number la S Heater street. Rap one. then two> then one. THE FIFTEEN. "Its my chance," Cried Bruce, With glowing syes— "my change to get on the Mgof this secret enemy at last! ru mi" "Brace, there'll be danger!" said Dorothy. '■"> ■ ■' "Then I must face It!" he cried. "My dear, you know I must!" "Then IU go with your cried Dorothy. That evening before the count waa finished Brace gave the signal and waa admitted to a dive that looked like a fit meeUng place for conspirators. Dorothy attempted to accompany Mm. but was thrust back. "We thought you'd come," said a man. "Mr. Larnlgan. you walked into a trap. Now. you have one chanceSign this paper agreeing to obey tha commands of tbe fifteen or'yonr political career is at an end: even your life Is at stake." Brui-e stared at him. tben laughed. "Do yon think." be said, "yoii and rfliir i utthriuilM «-»n intimidate ma?"

j "Mr. Larnigan!" he aaki. ' He made for t be door. "Stop him. Bradford!" cried i- >me one tbe door The man -who had accoated Mm struggled «-iib Bra -e. ] Outside came a pounding ou ihe door, j Dorothy In terror called for the police. As tbe door burst open a shot i ang out | police, snatched Bruce from Uls as- | nallants. I "Mr. Larnigan!" tbe sergean: aald. | "Yea. Larnlgan!" said he. - "Officer, arrest these men and call the coroner Bill Bradford is dead." As Bruce ami Dorothy left tbe room entered Bradford's ns me on a page of a memorandum book-beaded, "The Men Who Have raid." He looked toward Dorothy, smiled and then aald: "I wonder Who will be the next to pay the penalty? Thank I have rid the community of sna of tbe fifteen!" (End of First Episode ] READ NEXT WEEK ; "Bw Brut Urtffiu Eifsso tie TeMseitoif Vice Trtsts" -