SATURDAY. DEC *, 1»1« V '

"Are you suref "They were there thirty minutes s*®-" _ ! "But are you uurer "Tee; I saw them." "Then the flrat thing to do 1» to make sure that she la still safe." Yet hurried as Manley's flight was through that quiet house, he took time to clrtle about to his own room and there thrust an automatic pistol Into j his pocket. Then he called Celestine. who was promptly sent to Investigate , Margery's boudoir. She returned with the disquieting report that the girl was not there. Manley. with a sinking ot the heart, j Manley, witn a siuriur ui —

continued his search through the low- | er regions of the house. And he did not breathe freely until, quietly opening the side door Into the library, he caught sight of Margery herself. In a narrow-backed Jacobean chair, bent low over a book which lay open on her lap. She sat clearly outlined In the bright fulcrum falling over her care-lessly-posed body, leaving her in a luminous shower from the single wall light, which she had left turned on immediately above her. This silvery shaft of light brought out the beauty of her heavily-massed hair; It brought out the tender lines of the white throat and neck, the wistful glrllshness of the slender figure. Then Manley for the first time noticed that she I was sitting directly in front of the I suit of Japanese armor. He could see ( I the polished metal of that armor flash j venomously In the strong sideligflL . -I As he stood there, clinging to the portiere and continuing to stare at I those two strongly-divergent figures, he found something almost hypnotic | In the virulent brightness of the pol ; lshed metal. Then » gasp of incred | ullty burst from his lips. For as he \ stared at the metaled hand holding , the long-bladed dagger, he saw, or ; \ thought he saw,, that hand slowly , , raise, as though some miracle had en i , dowed Its Insensate links and plates ] and vambraces with life. Then the , very blood in his body seemed to cur- i die with sudden horror, for now there ; was no doubt about It. The mailed . : hand holding the glimmering knife- ' blade above the softly-breathing girl ; was slowly but surely being lifted, higher and still higher. And In another moment, Manley felt. It would surely strike. Quick as a flash he caught the automatic from his pqcket, swung It up, and trained the barrel on the glinting high lights along the mailed fist. Then he fired. There was a muffled shout of pain, a short scream of terror from the startled girl, and answering calls from above-stairs as th6 uproar echoed through the midnight bouse. But to all of these Manley paid scant attention. With ten steps he had crossed the room. Then he flung himself on a the -suit of mall, twisting It about and sending It toppling from Its stand. But one glance showed It to be empty. • The framed canvas that stood behind It he Jerked from the wall. Then an exclamation of wonder burst from his lips. For, In the wainscoting at each side of where the canvas had hung he discovered two holes cut, not a yard apart, and sufficiently large to admit of a man's arms being thrust through them. And as he saw them, and began to batter on the dark-wood walnto oatter roe aara-wooa warn- lc

sco ting with his heavy pistol-butt, he h, realised what had taken place. c: Borne enemy, secreted behind that d wainscoting, had thrust an arm Into, e the metal shell of an arm holding the tl dagger, and had lifted it to strike f( down the girl so close beside it. And ft that enemy, Manley resolved as he b • battered down the panel and crowded xi v his way through Into a narrow pas- % sageway, he wopld discover and cap- d ture or know the reason why. • - tl Yet that passage, which led to the h abandoned conservatory and from t there back to a long unused butler's pantry, proved to be entirely empty, n All that rewarded Manley's frantic' j tl search was a sleeve button and a;.] a shred of cloth torn from a service j a coat, caught on a nail where the pas- s sage itself ended against the wain- j scoring. And by the time he had o pushed his way back to the library I: Golden and Da Espares and Wilson j fc were already there.-, a "Where's Wrench, that new foot- a man?" he demanded. "I saw Wrench In the upper hall, i sir, two minutes ago," was Wilson's prompt reply. I "But monsieur, what has happen' to my beautiful armor?" demanded the t softly-speaking Da Espares. i "Til tell you that when we find c Wrench," was Manley's curt reply. 1 "Wilson, you guard the front door, and you, sir." added Manley. turning t to Golden, "I'd advise to watch the windows there." 1 "And I. monsieur, what may I do to i be of assistance?" Inquired the imper- < turbable Da Espares. "You go up those front stairs and « stop anybody who attempts to come . dbwn. And mind you stop them I I'm y going up by the servants' stairs. And somebody watch the elevator!" He .was off the next moment, running with all his speed through the house, with his automatic In his hand as he went. It was not until he had mounted a second and then a third flight of stairs that he came to a stop. That was ! close beside the door of Wrench's own room. And listening there he heard the sound of movement within. He did not even try the door. Backing quickly aVay, he shouldered against the wooden panels with all hlB weight. The lock gave way and ho went staggering Into the room. There, bent over a suitcase, he caught sight of Wrench himself. One glance at that startled and pallid face.

I one cllmpse at the sleeve of the serr-ice-eoat from which a button nad , clearly been torn away, convinced nim ; that all his vague suspicions of the past week had been only too well founded. And he wasted no words on argument He leaped to that startled figure, thrust his automatic against the waist- | line cf the service coat and commanded Wrench to back up against the wail. As he did so a sudden shout sounded J from the doorway behind him and In- D stlnctively he glanced about to ascer- r tain the meaning of this shout, ft | Wrench, seeing his chance, knocked ■ r I

J Sprang Bodily on Manley.

menacing automatic-barrel to one side and sprang bodily on Manley. As ; did so an unexpected and strangely S mantled figure glided into the narrow ! 1 It was a figure wrapped and i hooded in heavy velour and only a second glance at its strange coveries would have revealed the fact that it was a portiere quickly torn from its fastenings and Improvised into a mask to conceal its wearer's identity. Manley. as he fought with Wrench, had small time to register this fact, or the further fact that a rent had been made in the portiere to Berve as an eye-hole for the head which it so completely covered. It was not until that hooded figure had Joined In the contest that Manlqf became aware of the second portiere which his newer opponent carried. For this portiere was deftly thrown over the yoilhg secretary's head and suddenly drawn tight about his arms. The white-faced and struggling footman, realizing that his final chance had ! come, promptly took advantage of Man- I ley's momentary helplessness to fall , back, leap for the open door and make good his escape. Manley himself, maddened by the ; thought of that culprit's escape, swung ; about on his hooded assailant with a fury that sent the latter also retreating towards the hall. That unknown enemy even sought to escape as nis 1 colleague had done, but at the stairhead Manley overtook him. Together they went down the stairs, a tangle of 1 limbs and striking fists and portiere ends. They fought and rolled- along the

lower floorway, fought until* Mamey - had freed himself from the other's clutch and was struggling to fear the from about his mysterlohs enemy's head. But that enemy, fran- c tically bent on remaining unknown, a fought back with an added fury which a brought 'the two swaying and clinging c full force against the stairrailing. That railing, under the strain, gave way. Manley. clinging to the portiere folds, felt * that voluminous drapery follow after as he fell.gasping over the well of , the Stairs . < " " c He fell sprawling, tangled up in niafly yards of velour. and landed on the lowering head aad shoulders of tbe i astounded Wilson, who, at that sudden , assault, promptly and vociferously shouted for help. When Manley. stunned for a mlnuto j or two by the fall, once more opened j eyes and blinked inquiringly about | he saw both Golden and his wife , and .Margery herself clustered at his ' side. | j "Did you get him?" he demanded, j | "Get whom?" asked Enoch Golden. I "That murderous blackleg. Da Es- | pares!" was Manley's reply, i "But Count da Espares has nothing ' , to do with this," protested the girl, ' j : with a frown of bewilderment. "He's I only been helping us, as he always I "As he always helped you?" scoffed I the incredulous Manley. ! "Yes, as he will tell you himself!" ■ For at that moment, suave and smil- 1 . ing, the count Joined the wondering i "Ah, monsieur, I keep watch above, , you ask." he explained with £ shrug, i "But nozzing happen. 1 see nobody. ■ *| Then, mon dieu. 1 hear the tumult, : i and coma down to you. But I cannot i ; comprehend. So tell mo, monsieur, I j' beg. what has happen?" ; Manley rose stiffly and slowly to nis j: | feet j« "You don't understand?" he asked i as his fixed stare met the mildly ques- j [ tioning eyes of the count, j "No. monsieur," was the other 3 i softly spoken answer, as he still gazed j -with solemn wonder into the seeding - face of the American. "But what do you mean by this, any- i way. Manley?" demanded Enoch Golden. "Oh, 1 guess he's merely the guy that pu( the Laugh in the Laughing Mask." was Manley's embittered yet , enigmatic retort. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

TEN Strong Companies Anrorat* Capital over HO.OOO 00» protection from loea by tire. Apply to j 3. F. ELBBBDOE a Merchants National Ban* Bulldln* tl Cap* May. Naw Jersey. "] Special Prices j WINES' S. Teitelman's v holesale WINES AND LIQUORS 312 Washington Street Both Phones Cape May, N- J . LUMBER AND Mill Work GEO. OGDEN & SON ESTABLISHED 1905 j . Troy : Laundry ' PHONE y ======== i

NOTICE. T. H- Taylor . suneaa that t hla Central 8ho* 8 tor® M» Ws-btagtoo street, he continues the aho* business berora. for BALL BAND RUBBER I have taken the agency In Cap* May footwear, and would call special attention to the new VAC ooot, r-ad* by this company. The beet on the market. still do all kL a of repair work. findings and dressing for sale. T. H. TAYLOR •26 Waeh'rirton 8t-. Cape May. N. J. JOHN BRIGHT I GENERAL INSURANCE | Real Egtate and Mortgage Investments ' RIGHT BUILDINb WILDWBOD K. J. EAfeKER'5 jggUfgJ ^ HAIRJ»AL8AJH Children Cry FOR FLETCHER'S C ASTO R I A - -ROUGH OB RATS" ends RATS. MCE. ! . Die outdoor^ U Debatable ~ tert | mlnator. Used W#ld over, by U. S„ [•Gov't too. Economy Size 25c. or 15c. •Drug and Country Stores. Refuse sub- , 1 stJUJtes. FREE— Comic Picture R. E. I S. Wells. Jersey City, X. J. ijinuiWI Is your Money flaking Money for , lyouf ,The more of it you have emr, 1 | ployed for you, the less you need to ; work yourself. The Security Trust j Co. Will pay you three per cent on your - Tine aeeount. i , WE WANTETSSSSrS slreedy reprwenled, to Introduce BROWN HERB 1 TABLETS guaranteed remedy for ConiUpation, t Indication aac D/epepeL Orer 100* profit, . Bare aeOw. repeat order*. Permanent Income. JSAKfSr WSSSxast.

BMHMINi Tim ChmMi . THE mm STORE ' ; New Autumn Millinery 1 Remarkably good Hats at very low prices. All of Black Velvet of excellent quality, and -comprised of the newest and most distinctive shapes — new Sailors, Tarn O'Shanter effects, ricornes and drapped T urbans. 0. L. W. Knerr 518 & 520 Washington St Cape May, N. J.

Tissue paper of Fine Quality far packing gift* at Star aad Wave 8Utfoatry impertinent. Limit your spending— not your saving. Open an account with the Security Trait Company — a Strong Institution. W. L. Ewing Jr. i WAGON BUnXFER AUTOMOBILE PAINTER Large end Small Work Carefull Executed • Oti mates Cheerfully Furnished W. L. EWING. JR. West Perry 8ta, Keystone Phone

- STOVES NECESSARY IX CAP* MAX Most of. the homes of Ospe May sal surrounding country are heated wtlfc e tores and if yon would get the nori heat from a small quantity of ca<i» consult JESSE BROWN ' 110-112 Jackaon St. Cape May, N. J. Thi Sale Deposit Vault el the 8a- _ ca-rity Truat Co. has modern devieas for security and convenience. Boxaa nnted at $2 and upward* Kaie Spouting, Gutters and Tin Roota. Good work at d'fuitataot prices. Jeaaa Is R-own. 110 and 112 Jaeksoa Si. ■ CASTOR1A For Infants and Children In Use For Over 30 Years

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mixture unless every drop of gas- _ iffi MM oline that flows into it is absoJ|! "Dealer* in this lutely the same." Standard Motor Gasoline is de|M|||; Standard pendable wherever purchased. Motor Look for the sign — it means the Gasoline. IL best gasoline and a reli^le dealer^ I I See list below." MP Polar ine Oils and Greases end ||1| I ffl friction troubles and motor |j^ GARAGES AND DEALERS IN NEW JERSEY SELLING STANDARD GASOLINE EXCLUSIVELY. CAPE MAY CITY

v Biggs Garage H" BethTeheni Steel Co. Cape May Fisheries Co. * Central Garage City Garage Eldredges Garage r. Max Potasbnlck

Cape May Garage Konowitch Bros. Mbcray Bros. W. H. Mills George Ottlnger Phillips and Hughes WEST CAPE MAY George Sandgran * CAPE MAY POINT Edward Springer

Palace Garage M. S. Smith ' Capt. H. Smith , s Townsend's Garage Stites York ft William H. Smith ERMA, N. J. C

& Jobnaoa B. T. Johneon FISHING CREEK & Leslie Bate ' " f. TwMi . . 1- Woolsoc