Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HSSv ij? flHj5B252B222225552552255252225E22S2u!!32^2S2 I The Million 0 M II II By HAROLD ill illustrated from Scenes i II Same Name by the Tha u (Copyright, 1414, hi This, the fifteenth episode of the interest in k serial story, will be shown in motion pictures at the Casino Theatre tonight.) CHAPTER XV. Another Trap Set. If the truth is to be told. Jones was as deeply chagrined over the outcoiuo "I Shall Have to Request You ar.d Stat I of the counterfeit deal as was Bralne. Tli my ^ 11 -v J -! 11 1 m. utj ikui ijuiii ictiit'u signuiiy xo reacn the goal sought. Hut: this time the organization had broken even with Jones, and this fact disturbed the butler. It might signify that the turning point had been reached, and that in the future the good iuck might swing over to the side of the Black Hundred. Jones, redoubled his cautions, reiterated his warnings, and slept less than ever. Indeed, as he went over the ground he conceded a point to the Black Hundred. He would no longer be able to keep tab on the organization. They had deserted their former quarters absolutely. The agent of whom they had leased the building knew nothing < except that he would have to repair the place. The rc t had been paid a year in advance, as it had been these last eight years. He had dealt through an attorney who knew no more of his clients than the agent. So it will be seen that Jones had in reality~recelved uas-A* f* -" * a check. More than all this, it would give his enemies renewed confidence; and this was a deeper menace than he cared to face. Rut he went about his af fairs as usual, giving no hint to any ; one of the mental turmoil which had ; possession of him. , It is needless to state Norton did not scoop his rivals on the counterfeit story. Rut he set. to work oxnlor - - t : .lng the cellar of the gutter] building, ana in one coiner he found a battered die. He turned this over to the secret j service men. There was one man he wanted to find?Yroon. This man, could he find him, should be made to lead him, Norton, to the new stronghold. lie saw the futility of trying to trap Braine by shadowing him. Ho desired Braine to believe that his escape from the freighter had been a i hit of wild luck and not a preconceived plan. Braine was out of reach for the present, so he began the search for the man Vroon. He haunted the water front saloons for a week without success. TT - -II -1 ? - a ? * ... xie aia not Know tnat It was the policy of the Black Hundred to lay low for a month after a raid of such a serious character. So the Hargreav? menage had thirty days of peace; always watched, however. For Braine never relaxed his viligance in that part of the game. He did not care to lose sight of Jones, who he was positive was ready for flight if the slight* est opportunity offered Itself. Norton went back to the primrose paths of love; and sometimes he would forget all about such a thing as the Black Hundred. So the summer days went by, with the lilacs and the roses embowering the Hargreave home. But Norton took note of the fact that Florence was no longer the lighthearted schoolgirl he had first met Her trials had made a serious woman of Jier, and perhaps this phase was all ollar Mystery MAG CRATH zm n the Photo THvtna of thm mmmimt Film Cotnpany c Harold HaoOffath) | tn? imare-enchanting to him, who'hn J Ms ?eriou8 side-also. Her young mlr. like an [Italian garden, alway opening mew \Vistas for his admirin gaze. lie went a bout1 his work the same*a of old. interviewing, playing detective fattening his pay envelope by special to the Sunday edition and some of th lighter magazines. Sometimes he hai -vague (dreams of writing a play, i novel, rand making a tremendous foi tune like that chap Munders, who onl; a few years ago had been his desl the Family to Accompany Me to th< ion." mate. He reallv besran the first rhnn ter of a novel; but that has nothing to do with this history. All ready, then. The chess are once more on the board, and it is the move of the Black Hundred. The day was rather cloudy. Jones viewed the sky wearily. He coulc hear Florence playing rather a cheer less nocturne by Chopin. Fourteen weeks ago this warfare had begun, and all he had accomplished, he and those with him, was the death or incarcera tion of a few inconsequent members ol the Black Hundred. Always they struck and always he had to ward off. He had always been on the defensive; and a defensive fighter may last a *.ong while, but he seldom wins; and the butler knew that they must win or go down in bitter defeat. There was no half way route to the end; there could be no draw, It all reminded aim of thunderbolts; one man knew U'llPro thou u'Drn irninw .. w 1' VI V tjwuib IV OH IIVW. The telephone rang; at the eam moment Florence left the piano. Sh stopped at the threshold. "Hello! You? Where have you been? What has happened?" "Who is It?" asked Fiorenco, step ping forv,ard. Jones held up a warning hand, and Florence paused. "Yes. yes; I hear perfectly. O! You've been working out their new quarters? Good, good! Hut be very Careful, sir. One never knows wha\ may happen. They have been quiot for some time now. . . . Ah! You can't work the ceiling this time? . . Window over the way. Very good sir. But be careA.l." The word "sir" caught Florence's attention. She ran to Jones and seized him by the arm. "Who was that?" she cried, as h# turned away from the telephone. "Why?" "You said 'sir.'" Jone's eyes widened. "I did?" "Yes, and !t's the first time I evei heard you use it over the telephone Jones, you were talking to my father!' "Please, Miss Fiorenco, do not asl me any questions. I cannot answei any. I dare not." "But. if I should command, upoi the pain of dismissal?" coldly. "Ah, Miss Florence," and Jone tapped his pocket, "you forget that yoi cannot dismiss me by word. I am lc gaily in control here. I am sorr; that you have made me recall thi fact to you." Florence began to crv softlv "I am sorry, very sorry," said th butler, torn between the desire t comfort her and the law that he ha laid down for himself. "It is ver gloomy today, and perhaps we are little depressed by it. I am sorry." ) "O, I realize, Jones, that all th unending mystery and secrecy ha\ a set purpose at back. Only, it do< t 5 THE HORRY HE ^ _ 4 .-wKnl S i ^BpEB|^BBMH|^^^Bjfe v:^?K^ it ' Mr i ^ I'i i i ~ L mmmtwmmf -wrnrn^mimmmmmmi^ammmemfmi*^***^* It W.jis a Letter on the Back of WhicI \Va>- Drawn the Fatal Black Mask. | just seem as ir 1 snouiu go mau ?v>uio times with waiting and wondering." 1 "And if the truth must be toM, it is the Fame with me. We ha\? U wait for them to strike. Shall I get I you something new to read? I am I going down to the, drug store ami they have ti circulating library." "(let me anything you please. Hut : I'd feel better with a little sunshine." "That's universal." replied Jones, gong into the iuill for his hat. Had the telephone rung again at .that moment it xs quite probable that Uie day would ittive come to a close as the da V before tl!?d mnnntnimnolir - % ^ V? ! IllVltV WI1UUOI J Rut the ring came live minutes after Jon?.s had left the house. "Is this the Hargre&ve place?" "Yes;1 said Florence. "Who Is It?" "This is Miss Hargreave talking?" "Yes." "This is Doctor Morse. I Am at the Queen hotel. Mr. Norton has been badly hurt, and he wants you and Mr. Jones to come at once. We cannot tell just how serious the injury is. He is just conscious, Shall I tell him you will come immediately?" "Yes. yes!" Florence snapped the receiver on the hook. She wanted to fly, fly. He was hurt. How, when, where? j "Susan! Susan!" she called. s "What is it, Florence?" asked Susan, running into the room. _ : "Jim is badly hurt. He wants me to ? come at once. O, Susan! I've been dreading something all day long." Flor5 ' ence struck the maid's bell. "My } wraps. You will go with me, Susan." "Where, Miss Florence," asked the } maid, alive to her duty. : "Where? What is that to you?" demanded Florence, who did not know that this maid was a detective. I "Why not wait till Mr. Jones returns?" she suggested patiently. "And let the man I love die?" irnli ? I , f VliUlllCUll^ , "At least you will leave word where | you are going, Miss Florence." "The Queen hotel. And if you say another word I'll discharge you. Come [ Susan." There happened to be a taxicab con, veniently near (as Vroon took care there should be), and Florence at once I engaged it. She did not see the man hiding in the bushes. The two 'young r women stepped into the taxicab and I were^driven off. The^ had been gone > | less tfian five minutes wlien Jones re) I turned with his purchase, to find the I house empty of its most valuable asset. II He was furious, not only at the maid, j who. he realized, was virtually help. less, but at his own negligence. In the midst o! his violent harangue I the bell sounded. To his bones he knew what was going to be found there. It was a letter on the back of which - was drawn the fatal black mask. With shaking fingers he tore open the en, volope and read the contents: Viorencc is now in our power. Only the 1 fnirr* n<lrr of the million will save her. . Out agent will call in an hour for an answer. TFTK BT,AOK ITCIXOBFD. A Asa matter of fact, they had wanted , Jones almost as badly as Florence, but her desire for a book?some } popular story of the day?had saved him from the net. The letter had been written against this possibility. Jones became cool, now that he knew just what to face. The Queen hotel mer.P,t nothing. Florence would r not be taken there. He called up Norm. It tooV. all the butler's patience. however, as it requin d seven c calls to locate the reporter. r Meantime the taxieab contain:,'* Florence and Susan spun madly toward ! the water front. Here tne two were separated by an effective threat. Flory ence recognized the man Vroon and n knew that to plead for mercy would j. bo a waste of time. She permitted y herself to be led to a waiting launch. a Always when she disobeyed Jones something like this happened. But this time they had cunningly struck 0 at her heart, and all thought of liei o personal safety became as nothing d For the present she knew that she was in no actual physical danger. She was merely to bo held as a hostage Would Susan have mentality enougl js to tell Jones where the taxieab ha?" re stopped? She doubted. In an emer ?s gency Susan had proved herself I ???fi RALD, CONWAY, S. 0. nonentity, a bundle of hysterica] thrills. As a matter of fact, for once Flor ence's deductions were happily wrong : When the chauffeur peremptorily de i posited Susan on the lonely oountrj j road, several miles from homo, she ran hot-foot to the nearest telephone and sent a very concise message home. Susan was becoming accltmatec to this strange, exciting existence. Norton arrived in due time, one! he and Jones were mapping -out a plar when Susan's message came. "Good girl!" said Jones, "Sbe'f learning. Can you handle this alone Norton? Tlfey want me <out <of the house again, for I believe they -were after me as well as Florence. Hall an hour gone!" "Trust me!" cried Norton. And he ran out to his auto. It -wai a wild ride. Several policemen Shouted ! o ftor him hut U* ? ? * "?'* H.?v> uim, UUL lie ncill uu uiuurnuiu.1. They could take bio license number a hundred times for all he cared. Sc they had got her? They could wait til their enemy's vigilance slacked and then would strike? Hut Susan! The next time he saw Susan he was going to take her in his arms and kiss her. It might be a new sensation to kiss Susan, always so prim and offish. Corey street?that had been her direction. They had put Florence in a motor boat at the foot of Corey street. ? * He was perhaps half an hour behind. 1 Florence never opened her lips. She stared ahead proudly. She would show these scoundrels that she was her father's daughter. They plied her with questions, but she pretended 1 not to hear. "Well, pretty bird, we'll make you speak when the time comes. We've got you this trip where we want you. There won't be any jumping overbom d this sossion, believe me. We've wasted enough time. We've got you and we're going to keep you." "Let her be," said Yroon morosely. "We'll put all the questions we wish when we're at our destination." And he nodded significantly toward the ships riding at anchor. Florence felt her heart sink in spite of her abundant courage. Were they going to take her to sea again? She V.r.^1 X ? ~ .3 _ ? - * i luiu Bujuueu a, nurror or me sea, bo big, bo terrible, eo strong. She had had an experience with its sullen power. They had gone about four miles down when she looked back longingly toward shore. Something white seemed to be spinning over the water far behind. At first she could Florence Knew That to Plead for N not discern what it was. As she watched it it grew and grew. It Anally emerged from the illusion of a gigantic bird into the actuality of an everyday hydroplane. Her heart gave a great bound. This Aying machine was coming directly toward the launch; it did not deviate a hair's breadth from the line. Fortunately the men were looking toward the huge freighter a quarter of a mile farther on, and from their talk it was?evident that that freighter was to be her prison?bound for where? Nearer and nearer came the hydroplane. Was it for her? It was impossible for the men not to take notice of the barking of the engines at last. "The thing's headed for us!" Vroon stared under his palm. It wa3 not credible that pursuit had taken place so quickly. To test yonder man-bird he abruptly changed th0 course of the launch. The hydroplane veered its course to suit. Florence heard her . name called faintly. One of the men drew his revolver, but Vroon knocked it out of his hand. ! "There's the police boat, you fool!" "Jump!" a voice called to Florence. She flung herself Into the water without the slightest hesitation. All ihis came about something after this fashion. When Norton arrived at the foot of Corey street a boatman , informed him that a young woman ol . his description had gotten into a fast | j motor boat and had gone down the ! river. "Was there any struggle?" | : "Struggle? None that I could see s ! She didn't make no fuss about go . ' lng." | j "Have you a launch?" ] "res, but the other boat has hall an hour's start, and I'd never catct | her in a thousand years. But there'i % r ! i ??-^ i j She Flung Herself .Into the Water. ' I i xi hydroplane a little above here. You might interest the feller that runs it." "Thanks!" , But the aviator would not listen. VA life may hang in the balance, mtftj!" expostulated Norton, longing to pommel the stubborn man. , "What proof have I of that?" Norton showed his card and badge. ! ""O, I see!" jeered the aviator "A little newspaper stunt in which 1 em to be the goat. It can't be done, Mr. I i\orton; it can't bo done." ' "A hundred dollars!" 'r "Not for five hundred," and the aviator callously turned away toward the young woman with whom he had been conversing prior to Norton's approach. The two walked a dozen yards away. j Norton had not Berved twelve years j as a metropolitan newspaper man for j nothing. He approached the mechanics who were puttering about the ' machine. "How about twenty apiece?" he : began. *4For v/hut?" ttio iricn ^^kod "For sending that paddle around a : few times." "Get into that seat, but don't touch any of those levers," bne of them warned. "Twenty is twenty, Jack, and the boss is a sorehead today anyhow. Give her a shove for the fun of it " lercjj^ Would Be a Waste of Time. It It was a dumfounded aviator who R , saw his hydroplane 8kim the water a and a moment later sail into the air. 3 Those swift moving days a reporter of the first caliber is supposed to be able to run railroad engines, submarines, flying machines, conduct a war; able to shoot, walk, run, swim, fight, think, go without food like a python, and live without water like a camel. Norton had flown many times in the last four years. At the moment he ^ called out to Florence to jump he dropped to the water with all the skill of an old timer and took her aboard. And he r.onlfl not n?o n Hn<* *v?4a ..WW V 1 tuio exploit for his paper! ******* Jones heard the bell. It was the p 1 agent from the Black Hundred. He smiled jauntily. "Well, old fox, we've cornered you at last, haven't we? I want that money, or Hargreave's daughter takes another ! sea voyage, and this time she will not jump overboard. A million; and no more nonsense." "Give me fifteen minutes to decide," begged Jones, hoping against hope. x f "Fifteen seconds!" "Then we can't do business. What! Give you a million, knowing you all to be a pack of liars? Bring Miss Florence back and the money is yours. We are tired of fighting." As indeed ( j Jones really was. The strain had been ( terrific for weeks. i "The money first. We don't lie any ? better than you do. Fork over. You'll have to trust us. We have no use > for tho girl once we get the cash." * "And you'll never touch a penny of It, you blackguard!" cried Norton 1 / rx At J % 1 ^ # I Hum uie aoorway. S ! | The agent turned to behold the repcr.er and the f^rl. T!e did not stop j to a*?k questions, but bolted. He never p go! beyond the door, however, i "Always the small fry," sighed ' j Jones. "And if I could have put my % . * ' * ' "* l\^j v t T *^? l I??.?a maiwp^^iggi J Took Florence Aboard. I * 1 iiends on the money I'd have given it. to him! Ah. girl, it doesn't do any vjB good to talk to you. does it?" "Put they told me he was dying!" .Rnes shrugged 1 ro BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK H. H. WOODWARD, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, CONWAY, S ~ 1 ,./! HAL L. BUCK, Fire Insurance Office Conway National Bask Conway, S. C. J R. B. SCARBOROUGH Attorney at Law, CONWAY. S. C. LUM JUNG LAUNDRY, CONWAY, S. C, -4 Beginning July 1st. 1913 All persouf. must take tickets :for >rk left here Possitiveiy r.c/ovk delivered until ticket is presented. Laundry not called for in days will be ?old for charges LUM JUNG * VILLIAM EUGENE KING. M D Physician and Surgeon I Office in Piatt Drug Co. I iYNOR,. ... S. 0^ I m I J. M. JOHNSON, I CIVIL. ENGINEER I Marion, SC. I lailroad, City and Land Surveying^ I ud Drainage. Road-building am- I ewers Draughting and Blue Printing I W C SINGLETON I ATTORNEY AT LAW I Conway, S. C. I Iffice up Stnirs Buck Building I > I D A Spivey & Company I On "THE CORNER" I In I ?EOPLES NATIONAL BANK BL'LQ fk I londs 1 Fire * I Life I And I Other I INSURANCE. I ). A. SPIVEY. W. B. KING 1 CHAS. R. SCARBOROUGH, I W" I 'onway, 8. ft B Tnmnlnfn WOA r.?.v t. ?tci nvms, meant, nvvwi* I ter and Hot Air Heating Plaata I INSTALLED ANYWHERE t-f I )nly Plumbing and Heating goods ill 1 material of highest quality used. I 7ull line of Tub, Toilet, Lmrsts^pf I link and other Bathroom Aw**!? I and repairs on hand at all u I Plumbing and Hesttsti^ I >UT WATER AND HEAT I IN YOUR HOUSE I