why I don't take any just "Tt^ere that's the last Now, who] partially 'closed door at the bottom, was of a different temperament, Ids now. .Things aih't quite ripe for a are yon—SextonT* .*/ the passkge-way Mocked by a litter, mind far too active to find sleep possible. get away—see?" "Yes, sir,** weakly, and in a mere the exact nature of which could not His only desire was -to think, The Case "Sore she gave him some straight whisper, "an* I know jet voice, sir. be determined in the darkness. With plan, decide upon some future course stuff, hey?""She Thank God, yer found me, sir." of action.- With mind busy, forgetful some difficulty, and more than ever certainly did ahe's as smart of the very presence of his companion, conscious' of his weakness, and the "It was a bit of luck but well talk AUTO VICTIM NEAR DEATH as she is good looking. It somehow he indulged in a bath, again dressed pain of bruises* lie managed to crawl that over later. Now we've got to get 1 and Brainerd—Slippery paving Sunday don't strike me this guy is- going to over this pile of debris, and crouch out of here. Can you walk?" himself, and, lighting a cigar, settled bother her any more. I'm figuring afternoon caused an automobile to down finally in the intense blackness back into an easy chair to fight the "I don't know, sir after a fashion, The Girl that he's out of it." leave the road between Deerwood and whole out alone with himself. within. He felt like a trapped rat maybe. I'm mighty stiff and numb, "But his partner?" still gasping for breath, his body The mystery confronting him appeared Crosby. It broke a guard rail and sir." "Oh, we'll leave him somewhere quivering from exertion. more difficult of solution than ran into a large tree. Henry Johnson "Take it easy work your legs up propped up against a door. Likely Yet his retreat had been none too ev^r. He was more thoroughly convinced and down like that good, 'that will of Tenstrike was so badly injured hell never know what happened to rapid. The silence above was broken than ever that Percival Coolidge restore the circulation. How long that he is not expected to live. The him, or where. He ain't nothing to by tbe creak of an opening door, the had been murdered that the have you been lying here?" car was completely wrecked. be afraid of—just a butler with a sound of excited voices, and a sudden act had been committed either by Hobart "I don't know, sir," his voice Vd= cracked head. It's the other guy who gleam of light finding entrance himself, or under his direction. By Randall Parrish strengthening. "I must have been hit, HARD COAL DOESN'T COME has got the brains. Come on let's through the open cellar-way. West, He possessed no proof, however, nor the way my head aches. The first Duluth—Promises of large receipts take a look out in the alley.'! startled, crept' back into a corner, could he figure out a motive for the thing I knew after I went Into that VI u/ Their shadows yanlshed np the of hard coal for the northwest via the every nerve alert at approaching peril.. crime. Who was this Jim Hobart? room with you, I was lyin' here in stairs, the glow of light disappearing, lakes have not materialized, according Was he in any way personally Interested the dark. I couldn't move or speak, and leaving the cellar in Impenetrable to a bulletin issued by C. P. White, in the fortune left by Stephen sir, an' it was so black, I kind of got darkness. West did not venture? to Coolldge? Or did he hold any special northwest fuel administrator. it into my head maybe I was dead and y*i move, however, content to wait until relationship with the murdered man? Two cargoes of hard coal are scheduled buried. If it hadn't been for my hearing Oogyiight US b/ AIM A. Knopf, lac. thoroughly assured the way for escape More important still, what peculiar things—voices talking, and all to arrive here today, carrying a SYNOPSIS was clear. He had not learned influence did the fellow exert over that—I guess I would have gone clear total of 15,000 tons. much from this conversation, except the girl? Here was by far the deeper I.—Answering an batty. Maybe I didn't get everything CHAPTER advertisement Mr. White believes the northwest to increase his convictions that a serious young mystery, the one that troubled him calling for a man willing straight, sir, but one o* them fellows to of crime was being consummated. will receive less then 40 per cent of its engage in service danger, Matthew most. The others seemed possible of was Hobart, wasn't he?" lust from West, ex-service man returned The full nature of this conspiracy was normal supply of hard coal by lake of explanation, but the sudden change in France, where he had been captain "Yes we walked right into his trap. as obscure as ever rendered even shipment. engineers, meets Natalie Coolldge, writer Natalie Coolidge was beyond all understanding. of The fellow who came over to the table the advertisement* and without being more doubtful indeed, by the active Open weather through the northwest instructed as to his probable duties, Is and talked to us was Jim Hobart. He participation of Natalie Coolldge. engaged thatsame evening by her, and Except in face, form, dress, outward has been a big factor in preventig knew me at first sight, and easily fiance. This was what puzzled and confused Introduced to her friends as her appearance, she no longer seemed to a crisis, the bulletin continues, guessed what we were there for." him the most. He could no longer CHAPTER II.—That night. In the Coolidge West as being the same woman he "And was Miss Coolidge here, too. but the weather cannot be expected to questitin her direct interest in the home, West Is Btartled by the appearance had formerly known. His original interest sir?" in his room of a young woman, favorable to lake shipping. affair, or h(£* willingness to assist continue whom he takes to be -Natalie, but who in her had vanished he had In overcoming his efforts. Even without "Yes, she was I had a talk with escapes before he can be sure. Next learned to distrust and doubt her sincerity morning Natalie tells West she has been the free testimony of the men her that has mixed me all up, Sexton. LOOKOUT FOR CONVICTS troubled by some woman, apparently her and truth. Beyond all question She seems to be hand in glove with this fact was sufficiently clear. She double, who has been impersonating her. Duluth—Every member of the Duluth she was openly playing an important had deliberately lied to him, attempted these fellows. Bnt how did you suspect police force has been ordered to part in this tragedy under Hobart's CHAPTER III.—Perclval Coolldge, Natalie's deceit, and then, when he refused to she was here?" uncle and guardian, apparently be on watch for the thirteen convicts direction, but for the life of him he yield to her efforts, had so reported Is disgruntled by West's appearance as "I heard her voice, sir up there could not figure out to what end. Still who escaped from the state prison at Natalie's fiance, and the feeling of antagonism to Hobart, and left him to his fate. somewhere, sir, soon after I come to and is mutual. Natalie, Coolldge, the very mystery of It had its fascination. Marquette, Mich., yesterday afternoon a and It was manifestly impossible for him West plan a visit of charity to poor my senses. She and some man went While he felt no longer any special and are believed to be headed for remote section of the city. Duluth to believe in her any longer. Yet what along outside. Sounded like he was desire to serve her, to further risk could it all mean? how could she hope and then to Canada. makin' her go with him. I couldn't CHAPTER IV.—Leaving West in the his life in her cause, yet he experienced car, Natalie and Coolldge enter a small to benefit by such an association? get much of what was said, but he In a long distance telephone conversation a fierce determination to learn cottage, remaining a length of time which Why could she thus shield the murderers sure talked awful rough, an' she the department was given full causes him some uneasiness. Before they what all this really meant to uncover return, West secures Information whlcn of Percival Coolldge? What seemed to be pleadin' with him. They descriptions of the thirteen fugitives the object these conspirators leads him to believe Coolldge Is deceiving possible object could there be in the wasn't there but just a minute, an' Natalie, and has ulterior motives. and these descriptions have been given had in view. If Natalie was Involved commission of this crime, except to then, a little later, I heard an automobile to all patrolmen. it could not be helped she would have CHAPTER V.—On the party's return to gain possession of her own fortune? start up." the Coolldge home, Natalie informs West to suffer with the rest his own duty A sharp lookout is being kept on It was all mystery to his mind a new ahe has been mistaken in her suspicions "You have no idea how long ago He Recognized Hobart's Voice. was clear. .trains and incoming freight cars as the concerning her "double," and that she unanswerable question arising wherever this was?" has no further need for his services. Yet how could he begin action? he looked. men are believed to have boarded a He recognized Hobart's voice, as the West is astounded, but helpless. He leaves. "No, I ain't sir. I been lyin' here What clew did he possess which could What strange influence could this train after their escape. Four of the fellow plunged down the steps from about half dead, I guess, an' I don't be followed? Practically none. Before CHAPTER VI.—On his way out of the man Hobart exercise over the girl? convicts were serving life terms. the first floor out Into the yard. seem to have known anything after Svestigates. ounds, West hears a revolver shot, and morning, that saloon on Wray To West's judgment he was in no "To h—1, of course he's here!" he He finds Perclval Coolidge that until those fellows come down street would unquestionably be deserted, dead, apparently a suicide. The inquest way the sort of man to appeal to Natalie stormed. '"My G—d, man, he dived here with the lantern. Were they UNEMPLOYMENT AT MINIMUM mo determines. In the city West Is visited except perhaps by its proprietor, by Coolidge. He was of a low, cunning Sexton, an old servant of the Coolldges. out head first I saw him. He'll be hunting after you?" and Mike would simply deny Sexton tells him he has been abruptly Virginia—Unemployment will be at order, with some degree of outward dead as a door nail now. Gome on "Yes I outwitted them upstairs, dismissed, for no apparent reason. everything. Two possibilities remained polish, to be sure, yet Inherently a minimum in Virginia this winter, accordng with that lantern, Turner. Where in He gives it as his belief that Coolldge and jumped from a window. But that the police might have some was murdered, and about convinces West tough, and exhibiting marks of a thunder is the ladder—does any one to developments in the plans is enough talk now we'll go over the he is right. record of- the fellow, might know his birthright which indelibly stamped know?" oif the big mining industries here. The whole affair when we are safely away favorite haunts, even be able to locate him of a social class far below her CHAPTER VII.—Sexton has overheard "You think he lies on the roof?" from this place. How is it? Do you Oliver Mining company has announced a telephone conversation in the Coolldge his next probable hiding place. If own. Surely, she could not love the "Why not? That's where he must think you can navigate? home, in which a man demands Natalie's that shipping from Mesaba Mountain not, the only hope remaining would fellow, yet unquestionably he possessed presence immediately. He gives an address, have struck, ain't it, Shorty? I don't Sexton responded by getting slowly closed for the season Saturday. seem to be Natalie Coolldge. She and with Sexton, West, his suspicions a mysterious power over her, know, though it is so steep he'd of things not being right strengthened to his feet. He trembled and was so would undoubtedly return to Fairlawn However, a full force of from 400 to difficult to explain through any other by his learning that Coolldge had most likely roll off. Here, you, let uncertain, as he attempted to grope was probably there already, 500 men will be employed during the lied about the reason for the trip to the hypothesis. If West had not known me take that glim. There's nothing cottage, visits the place. It Is a disreputable forward, that West grasped him firmly, and, by shadowing her, the whereabouts winter months stripping ore and repairing the young woman under different conditions, here in these boxes. Ah, theie the saloon. helping him slowly toward the of Hobart would surely be reHealed he might have accepted this ladder climb up, Shorty, and see if machinery in preparation for foot of the steps. The two crept up CHAPTER VIII.—West is taker, by surprise, either sooner or later. theory, and dismissed the whole matter the guy is stuck anywhere on the roof. the opening of a big 1923 season. Three knocked out, separated from Sexton, the stairs cautiously, and surveyed from mind. But it was the haunting and comes to his senses to find himself Go on! What are you afraid of If But possibly there was a quicker million tons of ore were shipped from the cluttered-up yard as best they bound and helpless, and confronted memory of that earlier Natalie he's there, he's a stiff all right, believe way to learn their purpose than by toy a man named Hobart, whom West the Mesaba Mountain this season, might In the dim light of the distant Coolidge, the mistress of Fairlawn, knows to be the man who had rented the tne." thus seeking to find either. If It was street lamp. It appeared entirely deserted, which is the record for all time from house which Natalie visited. The man which would not permit his complete Turner's voice, hoarse ajid rumbling, the Coolidge fortune which was at tells him he (West) is Interfering with nor was there any evidence mining properties in this district. surrender. She had seemed all that came back from above. stake, why not endeavor to learn In his plans and if he persists will be done that the building above occupied. was away with. West refuses any compromise. his dream of womanhood called for. "There ain't nothin' up here, Jim. whose trust it was being held, and Hobart sends for Natalie, hoping No doubt lights were burning witnin, FIFTEEN FLEE MARQUETTE Unconsciously, he had given her his D—n me. if I don't believe the cuss she can induce West to give up his quest. what steps were being taken to safeguard but if so the shades must have been heart, and he could not tear the remembrance Marquette, Mich.—Fifteen convicts, got clean away. Gee, but he was sure It? He could explain the nature drawn closely, allowing no reflection CHAPTER IX:.—Natalie releases West from mind. There was a nervy guy, all right." four of them serving life terms, escaped of his Interest to an attorney, from his bonds and assureB him that she to escape. No better opportunity for something wrong, terribly wrong has no need for his assistance. Her actions "Nervy? Crazy, you mean. But he and be advised how to proceed. Determined from the Marquette branch prison evading notice could be hoped for, almost convince West she has guilty what it was he had no means of knowing, never took that fall without busting to take all three steps the first late yesterday afternoon. Later two knowledge of Percival Coolidge's murder. and West, alert now to every chance, two yet, there in the dark, he determined He deflps Hobart. and the thug, with something. The Mrd is lying about thing next day, West rested back comfortably made instant decision. of them were captured, the searchers a companions, attempts to kill him. After he would know, would never be here somewhere. You make sure he in the chair, already half terrific fight West leaps from the window. "They are all inside. Creep along being impeded by a heavy snow storm. content until he learned the whole ain't up there, Shorty." asleep. One hand rested in his pocket, behind that pile of lumber to where Crawling through a steampipe tunnel, truth. All his hope, all his future, depended "Well, he ain't 1 kin see every inch and as his fingers fumbled some object you see the hole in the fence. I'll be which runs under the prison yard CHAPTER on the answer. o' this roof. Perhaps he fell in between there, he suddenly recalled the knife just behind you. That's the way." Hobart and Turner were absent for and one of the cell blocks, the fugrtives them barrels down there." Sexton had found In the alley. The narrow alley was much lighter, 'Under Cover. some little while the sound of their made their way into the basement The two evidently searched thoroughly. He drew the article forth curiously, yet still dark enough to conceal their A shed roof was below, ami he voices ceased, but the distant flicker the rays of the lantern dancing and looked at It under the glow of under the warden's residence by movements, as they clung close to the •struck it. fortunately feet first, but of the lantern enabled West to' trace wildly about, while Hobart 'savagedlv the electric light—It was a small digging under three concrete walls and deeper shadows. Except for an old the sharp slant of the hoards sent their progress up the alley, and then cursed his companion, and reiterated silver-handled penknife, such as a a steel door. Then they fled through cart it was unoccupied, the surface him hurtling forward over the edge hack again. They returned In no his belief that no man could lady might carry, a rather strange a basement window in the warden's covered with ashes, so packed as to Into a miscellaneous pH of boxes betieath, pleasant humor, convinced thati their take that plunge. :ind escape unhurt. thing to be discovered in a dirt alley home. leave no trace of wheels. Ahead of his hndv finally resting on the expected victim had escaped safely, "Tt couldn't be done. tell you: back of Wray street. The Incongruity them at the end of the block glowed hard -ground. He ilu-re dazed, the but made no further effort to search lay 'maybe tie could crawl, but that would struck him forcibly, and he sat up, ATTEMPT DARING HOLDUP the only street lamp visible. Sexton, breath Uiv«-kert ontirelv out of him. the yard. West, confident at last that be all. Why lie went down head first wide awake once more, seeklpg for by now largely recovered from his bruised, ffd scarcely certain whether the way was clear, wriggled out from St. Paul—With a woman driver, saw him sro out the window, and some mark of identification on the he was dead or alive. For the moment. late experiences, broke into a run, his place of concealment behind the that drop would daze a cat. Say. polished handle. There was none, not bandits escaped late today, after one with West following from the immediate hV* seemed to have lost all consciousness. barrel, and stood erect. He feit Shorty, maybe the stiff dropped down an Inscription of any kind, but he had been seriously wounded in a pistol unable to realize even I neighborhood unseen. Suddenly into this cellar-way. Let's take a stronger now, and in less pain, convinced noted that the single slender blade did a crowded street here when battle on stumbled, but arose almost Instantly that his injuries were in ne Sexton not fit closely down Into Its place. Ionic." they attempted to hold up and rob the what had occurred in that upper room, to his feet again, grasping degree serious. The darkness was so He opened it idly to learn the cause or to comprehend tbe necessity of immediate "money wagon" of a detective agency The light streamed in through the something which gleamed like silver —beneath appeared the white gleam flight. All about him was intense between Fifth and Wacouta streets. narrow opening, and Hobart scrambled intense he had to grope his way I01 in his hand. of tightly folded paper. darkness, and. after the crash cautiously down the rotted steps. ward, anxious to make no noise wb,ich One of the bandits obtained $2,500 '•Not hurt, are you?" asked West of his fall, no sound broke the silence. West, drawing himself securely back ni: ht betray his presence. (To be Continued) from the armoured car but was forced anxiously. He could see nothing, hear nothing of the gloom, his behind the protection of his barrel, the intensity to drop it in his flight for safety. It "No what's this I found?" £o arouse his faculties his flesh quivered saw the lantern thrust forward, and failed, taking him of direction is believed that he was shot through The other took it impatiently. with pain, although lie felt sure a face behind it peering in the shadows. back before he further "What is it? 1 Why a small pocket the back by operatives of the detective PUNGENT PARAGRAPHS no bones were fractured, for he could The fellow did not advance r-» bI'-sited the exact position of knife, of course. Come on, man, don't agency. move both arms and legs freely, Miner steps. Then as he turned Into the room, but Hobart did, pressing stand mooning there.!' He slipped the •white after the first shock, his mind his way roughly past, and standing :i!i".11il.v. his font came in contact An Ohio man is the inventor of a article carelessly into his pocket returned to activity, dominated by the TO WAR ON WOLVES there full in the glow of light, itli an obstacle on the floor. For an clod crusher and ground leveler that "Where are you going?" Sexton •single conviction that he must, get staring about into the dim shadows. insijint lie could not determine what Duluth.—A war on wolves will be panted, endeavoring to keep beside can be hauled behind a tractor drawn away from there before those men He evidently saw nothing to arouse it was then, with a thrill of horror, instituted in Minnesota after the next him. "Have you anything planned could, get down stairs. harrow. suspicion, for his voice was angry lie realized the presence of a human legislature goes into session, providing out He endeavored to rise, rolling partially Olive stones and skins and similar with disgust. body. There was no sound, no movement, a bill, increasing the amount of bounty over in the effort, which failed, "Not very much Milwaukee avenue "Not a d—n sign here, Shorty. It and West drew back from contact refuse from oil presses are used for for destroying he pests can be put first. There is sure to be an all-night hut the movement, slight as It was. looks like the fellow maybe did get with the object, shrinking in firing the kilns in the potteries of ., run-. restaurant somewhere in sight. Telephone ,, through .successfully. 1 he rapid depletion left one hand dangling over an excavation away. But it beats me how. There horror. Then he gripped himself Morocco. at his right. His fingers explored for a taxi, don't dare to risk a of game in this state is said to ain't no place now for us to look but sternly—whoever, whatever this was, To prevent golfers swinging their the edge of this opening cautiously, street car, we both look too tough." be due more to the ravages of wolves the alley." he must know. Alive or dead he must cjubs too far is the purpose of a leather revealing a cellar-way leading down "Suppose they will follow us?" than to hunters. Trapper sassert that "An' if he ain't there?" determine the truth. He bent over, device to be strapped to their left into the basement. The opening was "Then we'll hop this dump mighty "Hardly they will have no idea feeling with hands in the darkness. the wolves are killing deer and moose black, silent, mysterious, yet it was arms. sudden, I'm telling you. With that which way we went, or how long we'll The flesh was warm it was no cold along the Canadian border not only a hiding place. If he could manage to More than half of the total area of guy loose, it won't be healthy for me corpse he touched, but a living human have been gone. Once we turn off this for food but with all intention of destroying roll down those steps into those hanging around here." England and Wales is under the plow being ay! tied like a mummy, unable street, we'll be safe enough." the big game. Carcasses off ,depths below, he might hide there unseen, "He ain't got the goods on you, has to move hand or foot. Then, as as compared with only 15 per cent of it was considerably past midnight which little meat had been taken are until he regained strength, until he?" suddenly, his groping fingers, eager Ireland. when the two men finally reached the to be found all through the north the first effort at pursuit had been "No, he ain't got the goods, but he enough now, discovered the cause of University club they had lunched at Pittsburg scientists have found that abandoned. Then there might be a woods. Experts are of the opinion that is dead wise to some things, and he silence—the man was gagged, cruelly an all-night restaurant, washed and ordinary carbon dioxide will dissolve chance for escape. didn't get out of that shindy upstairs unless the wolf is exterminated big gagged, helpless to utter a sound. made themselves as presentable as the scale formed in boilers by some West grasped the idea clearly without getting hurt. He'll be sore game hunting will soon be a thing of The situation once realized, West possible, yet were hardly recognizable waters. enough. Those fellows wohld be there all right, and will raisc^H the h—1 worked rapidly. If this bound man the past. as they entered the club lobby. Neither swiftly. If they found him gone they Ecuador will hold a corn exposition, he can. It's safer to keep out of the was Sexton, the quicker he could be possessed a hat Sexton was in his would have no doubt but what he way." with numerous prizes, open to growers released the better. Hobart had already How Not to Take Cold shirt sleeves, while West's coat dung landed safely, and had made a getaway. "An' what about that other buck, of all the Americas, at Quito next revealed his plans, and might to him in rags. Without waiting to explain Some persons subject frequeat are to They would search, of coarse, Hobart? It won't do to have him appear at any moment for the purpose October. anything to the servant in colds, while others seldom, ever, if perhaps out into the alley, hoping he picked up, if this guy gets the harness of executing them. If escape was An automobile bumper invented by charge, except to state briefly that have a cold. will the might have been injured, but it was You find that bulls to take a look around here." to be achieved, it must be accomplished Sexton would be his guest for the a Michigan man can also be utilized as "hardly probable they would think to latter take good care themselves. "That ain't his style, Shorty he of at once. In the darkness his night, the. captain hurried into the a jack and lock that prevents a car •explore the cellar. Even If they did, They take a shower or sponge won't spiel anything: to the cops about cold fingers could do nothing with the waiting elevator, and accompanied by being moved. she could surely creep into some dark this row. He's an ex-soldier, a captain, jba*h every day in a knot, but the sharp blade of a knife war::-. o-n, avoid his companion, ascended to his apartment •comer where he might escape observation. and he's nuts on the giii. That's quickly severed the twisted cloth, and overheated rooms, sic* window above. Anyway, crippled as he KILLED BY TRAIN why he dipped into this mess—trying the gag was instantly removed from open or partly open, excesses, The reaction from the excitement .oid .was, this offered the one and only to save her—see? Maybe he won't be between the clenched teeth. The man Cloquet.—Phyllis, 11 year old daughter overeating, becoming overheated of the evening left Sexton dnll and chance. He could not argue and debate so keen now, after the song and dance moaned, breathing heavily, but made drowsy once he felt secure from any of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wyler of and then chilled and getting he must act. she gave him upstairs. I'm half Inclined no other sound' while West slashed possible danger. His only desire was this city, who was struck by a Great He rolled over, and lowered himself the feet wet Then, when they feel to think the guy will drop out at the cords lashing his limbs, finally to lie quiet, and forget. Stretched down into the opening, locating the Northern passenger last Friday while the first indication of a cold, they take entirely, d—n glad to get off alive, freeing them entirely. Not until this out on a comfortable lounge, be fell hnlMozen broken and rotted steps turning home from school, died at a Chamberlain's Cough Remedy without now he believes she is as rotten as had been accomplished did he pause asleep almost'instantly, making no effort with fc'-f. He made no attempt to the rest of as. But I ain't sure-—maybe hospital without regainiag consciousness. delay and it is soon over. On sale at enough to ask questions. even to remove his clothes. West ssiamcl hut singly si|d down, finding a 4- »v he is the kind that sticks. That's S. N. Rubin's. r* i-!WW ik *04 4