Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 772) (1920 07 16)

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Issued ee price. $3.50 pry pene > est 23d Street, N York, the Post- Office at New York, ee Ne i hare Pac ’ a iein) FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. Harry H. Wolff, Publisher, 164 —— as Second-Class Matter, October 4, 1911, at N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. No. NEW YORK, JULY 16, 1920. THE CRIMSON Price 7 Cents MASK OR, THE TREASURE OF SAN PEDRO CHAPTER I.—The Two Young Clerks. “What are you doing, Bob?” asked Jack Red- wood, looking over the top of his desk at his chum and office mate, Bob Bassett, who was also perch- ed on a high stool at a desk facing his own. _.. Nothing,” replied Bob, in an abstracted tone, -. . with his eyes glued upon a boys’ magazine. x “Good boy; ‘you’re Leet hard at it,” re- 2 ered Jack, i, m waiting for the boss a bring out the in- ; alo > book he took away from me,” said Bob, _ _-without raising his eyes. Pia “And in the meantime you’re killing time read- ~~ ing that Mexican story you gave the price of a P _ nickel for.” - “Well, what of it? I notice youtre not above 2 Yeading one yourself once in a while,” retorted - Bob, turning a page and, after a glance in the _ direction of the open door connecting the room With the outer one where the head bookkeeper $ and his assistant were working, went on reading. Jack and Bob were employed by Pickering & Co., mining agents, promoters and engineers, \ whose suite of very ordinary offices was situated 2 on the second floor of a three-story building on Front street, near California, San Francisco, The -.. Co.’s name was William Winter. He was a | prospector and mining engineer, and represented “». the firm at the La Rosas mine, in the Sierra >. Madre mountain range, which divided the states $s of Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico: z The mine itself was about 150 miles east of _— Guaymas, an important town of Sonora, on the > eit 9! of California. Pickering & Co. had acquired La Rosas property, which was considered a issue, some months previous, and then F ac a company to take it over. Although right e midst of many rich mines worked by their exican owners, it had apparently petered out. After unloading 49,000 shares of an issue of 100,- pe a ae ase California public at 25 cents called a meeting of the sans Pee elf elected president; J scalar gi rons California — broker, Sem he a and 3 yore er, -vice- : en Winter, BY A SELF-MADE MAN It was about this time that Mexican papers be- gan to report the depredation of a gang of ban- dits, under the leadership of a man whose feat- ures were hidden by a crimson mask. Every now and then a convoy of rich ore, enroute to Chihuahua from the Sierra Madre, was attacked by the band and looted, Winter reported these facts, as he might mention some bit of news that ‘did not concern him, and Pickering read his references to the bandits with a sort of languid interest, and suppressed the information lest the La Rosas stockholders, learning the facts, might ask questions which he didn’t care to answer. One of Winter’s letters, containing a clipping in English from a Chihuahua City daily paper, after having been consigned by Pickering to his waste- basket, came into Bob Bassett’s possession, and the clipping, as well as the letter, greatly inter- ested him. He showed it to Jack, and for some days the chums talked of little else between themselves than the Crimson Mask and his band of bandits. It was about this time that a very important and unexpected thing happened. Win- ter, while exploring an abandoned section of the La Rosas mine, brought to light a very rich lode of silver ore. He immediately notified his part- ner. Pickering was astonished, and he wouldn’t believe it until he wired Winter for positive con- firmation, and received it. “The head of the firm at once recalled the order he had placed with the lithographers for a new issue ef treasury shares, and gave the news out to all the San Francisco cr Califone Stock Necaken and me to freely dealt in at fifty cents and hig The company had money in the tenses: re begin operations on a small scale at the mine, and Winter lost no time in getting the ore ou out, When he had collected 100 bags of it he sent it by mule convoy to Guaymas, thence by schooner up the oe and the Colorado River % to Yuma, in Ari- where it was put on a freight car of the Sou ern Pacific road and carried to Sen Paste coe Gass Kee wore taken to the ofc = ? exhibi on, an Fest was sent to Baley & Cert etaultie works. errs Raa ea office. Mr. Pi arrived and was in office. A telegraph the door with ge B i - message for the boss. Sack sc8F

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2 THE CRIMSON MASK Pickering. The head of the firm tore open the envelope and read the enclosure. Then he said something that wouldn’t look weil in print. “By heavens! I won’t stand for this, [ll ap- peal to the Secretary of State. These outrages have got to be stopped!” he exclaimed aloud. “One hundred and twenty bags of ore and sixty mules stolen, and, what is worse, Mr. Smith mur- dered for trying to defend the property. It’s 10- tolerable! If this business is allowed to go on, we won’t be able to get our output to tidewater. This mustn’t get out, or the stockholders will come buzzing around my ears. Winter wants somebody sent down right away who can speak both English and Spanish, to take Smith’s place. Who the dickens shall I send?” Then Pickering saw Jack standing in the room. “What are you waiting for?” he roared. “T thought maybe you had an answer to——” “No, I haven’t.. Get out!” And Jack got out in double-quick time. CHAPTER I1.—Under Orders. “The boss has got a fit,” said Jack, when he got back to his desk. “Got a fit!” cried Bob. “What do you mean?” “The telegram gave it to him.” “Bad news?” “J should judge so. I heard him say that 120 bags of silver ore had been stolen, the mules sSeattered, and Winter’s chief assistant, meaning Smith, I suppose, murdered for trying to defend ore, “Whew!” exclaimed Bob. “That’s the work of the Crimson Mask bandits, I s’pose?” “Evidently. Pickering never worried about them before, but now that they’ve trodden on his pocketbook, he’s mad enough to chew nails. He says he’s going to appeal to the Secretary of State.” It struck Bob that perhaps he’d better go in and ask for the invoice book. He knocked on t.e door of the private room and was told to enter. Picke was at his desk writing a let- ter io the Secre of State. sity what do you want?” he snapped, look- g up. “Are you through with the invoice book, sir?” he asked. “Yes; take it and get out!” “Gee! The ae Ss awfully mad — Aces pes . gram,” thou , picking u e an starting for the door. ” z. “Bassett!” roared Pickering. “Yes, sir?” “Tell Redwood to step in here.” een, ee - Bob hurried back to the little room. “The boss wants you, Jack. Get a move on,” OS ge: sald ° - “All right,” said Jack, slipping off his stool. _ “He’s mad clear through. I could hear him Jack entered the private rors “Redwood, you talk Spanish,” said Pickering ¥es, sir, Got something to translate?” “No!” = The word shot out of Pickering’s mouth like a stone from a catapult. “How long will it take you to get ready to leave town?” “Leave town, sir?” cried Jack, not a little sur- prised. “For Mexico.” “Do you want me to go to the mine?” “Where do you think I want you to go, con- found you?” “T can be ready by to-morrow, if necessary.” “See that you are. JI want you to take the Southern Pacific to Yuma. You’ll find some kind of a boat there that'll take you to Guaymas. Understand?” = “Yes, sir.” “If you don’t find one ready to start at once, hire one. You'll be provided with the funds to sec you through to Real del Monte, that’s the nearest yillage to the mine. The La Rosas is only about five miles from it. What are you working on now ?” Jack told him. “Turn it over to Bassett, and tell him he’s got to do your work and his own till further notice, He’s been having too easv a time. He’ll have to earn his wages after this. Clean up things; show him what to do, and then report to Brown. He'll hand you the funds you’ll need.” “All right, sir.” “You're getting $15 a week, I believe?” “Yes,. sir.” “Your wages, until further notice, wi be $25, subject to a raise by Mr. Winter if he thinks you are worth it.” “Thank you, sir.” , “You needn’t thank me. I’m not a philan- thropist. If 1 didn’t think you were worth the money, I wouldn’t promote you to Smith’s place.“ “Then Mr. Smith——” : “Was shot and killed by those infernal Crimson Mask bandits when they looted a mule train of silver ore on the way from the mine to Guay- mas.” : : “That is too bad, sir.” “The next train that goes out will be under — a charge. See that you give a good account ~ of i “I suppose I had better provide myself with a good rifle and a revolver.” “Do so. Get an up-to-date Remington and have the bill sent to the office. Buy whatever you consider necessary.” “You seem to have same confidence in me?” “Lhave. You're a smart boy. I’ve been watch- ing you. 3 ob is smart, too, sir.” 3 A hyena-like grin swept across Pickering’s ace, “ll make him smart before I get through with him!” he said grimly. “Is that all, sir?” : “Yes. When you are ready to leave the offica, __ come in.” sai Jack walked back to the room where Bob sat — erched at work, unconscious of the change that c ipne gee in his chum’s prospects. Bae: waited evening to break the news to Bob, _

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THE CRIMSON MASK 38 Bob sgh nearly. knocked off his feet when he Before Jack left the office he got all the parti- culars of train time, etc., from Mr. Pickering. CHAPTER IiIl—On the Way to Mexico. Jack and Bob talked long and earnestly to- gether that evening. The former thought his chum acted rather strangely, as if he ha thing on his mind, but he put it down to the re- a he believed Bob felt at * boys were up early, an started for the depot of the Southern Pacific road the foot of Fourth and Townsend streets. she time came when the conductor shout- “Good-by, xe chap!” _ Bob’s hand. “You'll hear from me soon. And "- don’t forget to write me at Real del Monte, care et La Rosas mine.” e ~ With these words he sprang on the train which Was already moving slowly out of the station. . We will = = him on his trip, which took 4 the populous and growing young city ef Los An okoad It is enough to say that he _ finally the small town of Yuma, on the ; poo bank of the Colorado River, about on a _. line with the of lower California, and : fee cried Jack, grasping here he left A train with his trunk and other - a —< and registered at a rather cheap-looking e hotel. The first thing he did was to make in- ae intment that there was ‘nothing doing in that line for two or three days, nor was there "any small craft on the water front that he could ‘ charter to take him to Mexico. There was noth- _ ing for him to do but make up his mind to re- « ™ain at least three days in ch was a "pretty hot town. a5, He went to the telegraph office and wired his arrival to Pickering, adding that it was impos- __ Bible for him to leave town by water under three et “Where are are you stopping?” asked the clerk. ae Rang bo ould get an answer to this, we ee, to know where to deliver it.” ey aa expect an answer; still there is no but some instructions might be sent to me. find me at the Yuma House,” replied the ‘ou ye. Jack was sitting vas to supper that eee telegram was bro con- TRG tis ? Tergetned: bine This is what he ‘ ae Jack ‘Redwood, Sanah, -Arizona.—Bassett - Suspect he’s followed you. Should he 1 up at es, send him back. » “Alonzo. Pickering.” Frisco. He’s crazy enough to do mnysting that he takes into his head. i must m haud at tae station in the morning when the nasthouna train comes in to see if he’s a passenger. My orders are to send him back, but aT he won't go back I can’t make him. When Bob gets a kink in his head, he’s as stubborn as a mule. I know him. If he’s made up his mind to go to Mexico, and ‘gets as far as this, he’ll go the rest of the way, in spite of anything I may say to the contrary: On the whole, I’d like to have his company; but if I should take him on to the mine, I’m sure to hear from Pickering about it.” Next morning Jack was at the station when the train came in, but his chum was not on it, and to say the truth Jack was rather disappointed. On the following morning he went to the train again, but there was no Bob. That afternoon he was hanging around the station talking to the agent, when a long freight train rumbled in, the engine stopping opposite the eating-house. The train crew ate an early supper there, and they came piling up from different parts of the train. The conductor came all the way from the caboose at the end of the train, and with him was a well- built lad carrying a suit-case in one hand and a rifle in a case in the other. This was Bob.Bas- sett, who had traveled first-class as far as Los Angeles, and then by various devices succeeded in getting passage on several freights until he succeeded in reaching Yuma. Jack saw him com- ing down the station platform and gave a gasp. “Upon my word, you’ve come at last, have ou?” exclaimed J ack, running up to him. .“And y a freight, at that!” "a didn’t expect to find you here, old man,” said Bob, “and you can gamble on it that I’m tickled te run across you. But you: ae if you ex- pected me. I never hinted that I had made up my aod to follow pw “T know you didn’t. But I got a telegram from Pickering. When you failed to turn up at the office, he suspected you had started to join me here, and he sent me word to fire you back.” “Fire me back?” “Yes. Here is his dispatch. Read it for bee = self,” and Jack took it out of his pocket and showed it to his chum eS Homy are you ‘going to do about it?” said Bob ml “Buy you a ticket for ‘Frisco and put you on the train which is, due here in half an hour.” “That’s what you’re going to do, eh?” “Those are BY instructions,” “J think I eat doing it,” grinned Bob. “You won’t go b “You can bet your = ei I won't. I didn’t beat my way from Los Arigeles on three freights to be returned like a lot of damaged goods.” aoe afraid you'll lose your job with the firm if you don’t go back.” S Don’t you worry; I'll be all right when I reach flie mine. I'm solid with Winter. He'll give im ; eat something to do.” After supper at the hotel Jack showed his chu about the =P alr op they went to bed, At six next morning they and their baggage were board the po: Fe El C ge bound dows ane eee river, their destination b ae

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4 a THE CRIMSON MASK CHAPTER IV.—A Vision of Beauty. It took the schooner two days to reach Guay- mas, the distance being over 400 miles, and the captain said they made time, at that. At last the boys were on the soil of Mexico—the land of sun and flowers, of love and hate, of the dagger and the pistol. Jack lost no time in ar- ranging for a conveyance to carry them to the village of Real del Monte, where Mr. Winter had his residence. They started after a light lunch along a dusty yellow road, with the Sierra de Bacatete range looming up on their right to the south. The driver told Jack that they would reach Real del Monte some time on the following afternoon, As the afternoon passed away they made good progress along the road. The boys spent the time talking and looking at the scen- os the country. Finall ind th J “Not far; maybe twelve miles,” he replied, whipping up the team. 3 Two hours later vagy! entered the village and to a stop-before the inn, the road on the outskirts. The boys carried their t g 2 chit ligt fe tek bite 1 i g ; a ; in is til gh af i the same. The pros- i there appeared . be us. “Is this the only inn here?” Jack asked Bruno. _. “The only one, senor. You will be well treat- td. But it is early for dinner, so if you give your _- order, and have a little patience, you will haye ha 20 fault to find.” “A nice fat pullet, senor,” he said, and then ~ went on to mention other things that made the -of a good meal more encouraging than Rie took of the house indicated. . it. Do your best, leptons. How long ou to get dinner 2 a Ie ian oe wae tatu but in the — could go up and look at the waterfall in the £ en. “We'll look at the waterfall. Where is the glen?” The landlord pointed out the direction. They must follow the defile which was just beyond the Meg Spee after a short walk they would come upon the waterfall. It was not much of a water- fall, the landlord admitted, but all things con- sidered, it was worth visiting in prefereace to bangee around the inn. “Come on, Bob,” said Jack. ESPs 2 are you going, old man?” asked his um. “To see the sights of the neighborhood. Din- ner won't be ready for an hour or longer, and we've got to kill time somehow.” “Is it safe to leave our guns in the vehicle?” asked Bob. “IT guess so. The driver is taking his ri the yard, so nothing is likely to be distur plied Jack. A circuitous tramp over boulders and through brush brought them at length to the glen, and there the waterfall burst on their view. It was very pretty so far as it went, and with the glen would have been hailed with delight by a kodak fiend, or even a less enthusiastic amateur pho- tographer. : “It isn’t so bad,” said Jack, as they took in the into Ky re- - view. Then he uttered an exclamation and pointed to a spot of velvet turf a short distance away. Ly- ing asleep in a negligent attitude was the love-— liest girl Jack had ever dreamed of. Her face was exquisitely chiseled in the purest S type, and it was easy to see that she came fine stock. Her figure was rounded in the most artistic proportions, and altogether she was a dream of female beauty. Her mantilla of ex- ener go re bork lace had partl one of her arms, and her ed, showing the pearly teeth behind. “Gosh!” exclaimed Bob; “she’s a beaut!” Jack softly approached her to get a closer view, and Bob was following when he saw his chum stop suddenly, stare at the ground near the senorita’s extend a then, to his amaze- is eRe ee is hip and draw his volver. ng he saw in the grass. It was a peculiar- looking snake, coiled on its tail, as if about to spring on the sleeper. In another moment Jack pulled the trigger. There was a flash, a whip- like report, and the girl sprang to her feet with _ a thrilling scream and looked at the boy with — frig eyes. ; er CHAPTER V—Mercedes and Her Father. “Don’t be afraid. senorita,” said J his hat with his left hand, while he ‘ is ov volver in his right. “The

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i THE CRIMSCN MASK § “Dancer!” she exclaimed in liquid tones of the purest Wastilian. “what mean you, senor? Why did you shoot?” Jack pointed at the twisting and writhing rep- tile, its head shattered by the bullet from his revolver. “Madre de Dios!” exclaimed the girl, gazing at the snake with eyes of horror. “It is one of the dama blanca species—the most deadly kind in the country. Its bite is fatal.” : “T saw it as it was coiled and about to spring at your extended arm. [ did not know how dead- ly it was, but all snakes are alike to me—dan- gerous!” “Senor, you have saved my life!” she cried im- pulsively, seizing his hand, revolver and all, and carrying it to her ruby lips. “Heaven knows how ee I thank you with all my “You are welcome, senorita. It is a pleasure to me to have rendered Beg a service,” replied Jack, his heart beating like a triphammer under of her glorious eyes, which he now saw ‘or the first time. “Tell me your name, senor, that I may remem- a ce ne geared; Week. went S Ge mass,” f “Jack Redwood.” “Jack Redwood,” she repeated. “You aré an American?” Wer’ ge Spanish perfectly.” Jack acc ease ; “May I ask your name, senorita?” he said. “M. Castilano.” “You are Spanish?” _ “Si, senor.” “And you live in this neighborhood?” “Si, senor,” she in a low tone, a rich flush flying in her face as she cast down her eyes. _ *T should be glad to see you to your hacienda, | senorita, if you care for my paren. - - *No, no, no!” she cried wtth sudden energy, _. which rather surprised Jack, “I—I—you—pardon me, it is impossible.” i “Very well, senorita; I have no wish to intrude on your company. I merely thought—you under- stand me,” said Jack, clearly disappointed. ~The girl saw the look on his face. “Senor,” she said, laying her hands on her breast, “do not feel provoked with me. I can- not explain why it is impossible that you can ac- company me. I must first tell father. But you an are a stranger. Perhaps I may never see you’ to the silver mines in the aps you are re to +5 dm gett to the La Rosas mine, five miles or i the village of Real del Monte, which J understand is fifteen miles from the vil ie der, where we have stopped to dine. I have ‘been sent from San Francisco to take the enti ) ; aaa Are you goi ~~ Sierra Madre, or ; Gua rae > man who a few days ago was murd it im by udden cry the He a il at the drow Back and’ pat er to her “What is the , senorita? Does the name oda So ey fe did not reply, but seemed all-of a-tremble. “zarcon me, senorita, for distressing you. I Woux. i.0¢ have mentioned the name, had I sus- pecied “suspected! What mean you, senor? You cannot suspect that—no, no, it is impossible!” she cried feverishly. Her manner was so strange and excited that Jack did not know what to think. “I was about to say that I would not have men- tioned the bandit’s name had I thought it would have distressed you.” : “Ah, yes, yes; I see, Forgive me. You must think me a very strange creature, but if you knew my position. Ah, senor, you are good, and brave, and so handsome! How happy would I be if I were permitted the pleasure of having you for a friend. But I have none—none but m Jather.” Her voice ended in a dry sob, she dropped her face in her hands. Jack sympathies went out to nes oie as his heart had already go: ne. cannot be that one so lovely as yourself has cause to be unhappy, senorita,” he said. Gee gt Madre de Dios! If you knew! But let us about something else,” she added hur- riedly. “You say you are going to La Rosas mine to take the place of a man who—is dead?” “Yes, senorita. It will be my business to ac- company the mule train of silver ore each time it goes to Guaymas.” “No, no, senor, you must not,” she cried, seiz- ing him by the hands with feverish earnestness. “Anything else, but not that.” “Why what do you mean?” cried the antonished “Tt is dangerous—dangerous! You have saved my life. I am grateful, I cannot bear that you should run the certain risk of losing yours.” “It is my duty, senorita, and a true American never shirks that, be the peril what it may.” “But you do not know what you would have to ace. “You mean the Crimson Ma——” She clapped one of her hands on his lips. “You would face death.” “Well, senorita, a fellow can’t die but once, and I intend to carry out my orders. If those bandits interfere with my mule train there’ll be something doing that’ll open their eyes. As for the leader of that gang—well, you saw what I did to that snake, JI have an American Remington that’s warranted to kill at 1,000 yards or further, and I can shoot some. I’ll know him by his mask, and if I ever gét a fair crack at him he won’t lead an more ans on mule trains, of silver ore,” sai Jack in a determined tone. The girl seemed overwhelmed by the boy’s words, “You would shoot—him?” she cried, almost hysterically, “Why not? Isn’t he the terror of the mine owners of the Sierra Madre? Didn’t he, or one of his s, kill the man whose place I hava been sent to fill? Well, my instructions are to carry the ore trains through to Guaymas, and I’m going to do it—if I live.” “Brave young senor! Spoken

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6 and drew away from the boy. Jack was much im- ‘ pressed by the newcomer: He looked like one of nature’s noblemen. His snappy black eyes flashed like one born to command. His manner at that moment seemed exceedingly gracious, but Jack felt he could be stern and authoritative when he chose. “Thank you for the compliment, senor,” replied “~ Jack. “I meant what I said.” “You look as if you did,” said the newcomer, with a kind of military directness. “So you have come to Mexico to exterminate the Crimson ‘Mask and his band, eh?” There was a slight tinge of sarcasm in his voice. “Not at all. Ef the bandits leave me alone I certainly shall not bother with them,” said Jack. “Tt is the business of the Mexican government to take care of them.” “Which they have failed to do, and always will.” “Why do you say that, senor? Do you not sympathize with your own government?” “My government! I am a Spaniard,” drawing himself up proudly, “and I owe no fealty to Mexico.” “Still, while you live in the country it is to your interest to—” “We will not discuss that. Let us return to the subject you spoke about. What are your plans for carrying your silver trains to Guaymas so as to avoid the Crimson Mask and his follow- ers?” As he asked the question the senorita made a step forward as though to interfere, but the new- comer, though not looking at her, seemed to per- ceive her purpose and se, 3 a slight gesture which to Jack appeared to have no reference to her, but which she evidently understood, for she stopped and cast down. her eyes. “T have no plans as vet,” replied Jack. “I am “ stranger in the country, and have not yet re- ported to my superior. | shall act under his or- sles and ‘do the best I ean.” “Very good, senor. I think I heard you say you have a Remington rifle, and that you ‘are an expert shot.” “Can you Bet eet Kh sce? 53 “Can hit a man # yards ? rs “Hardly, except by accident.” ~~ “At 500, then?” oe “Tt would be a chance unless the man stood still = and invi the shot.” ’ = “But suppose you got an excellent chance at the Crimson Mask at fifty yards or even feet, he - would have no show of escaping you, eh?” ef ive much for his life.” _ “Bxcellent!” laughed the Spaniard. “Perhaps on you I have heard he can _ sSoot some himself. I have myself taken lessons rs. Let me show you what I can five-spot of clubs from his a sm@ll jewel thirty paces, ed the chance will be yours soon; but beware lest he’ THE CRIMSON MASK have never seen it beaten, or, for that matter equalled. I take my hat off to you.” A sarcastic smile stole over the Spaniard’s face, “You have a revolver, young senor, perhaps you'll let me see what you can do.” “Not after your exhibition.” “I thought I heard a revolver shot from this place a while ago.” “You did. I fired it.” “At what, pray?” “At that snake,” said Jack, pointing. “You took its head off, I perceive. An excellent shot even at close range. It is a dama blanca, the most venomous reptile of Mexico. You did well to kill it for had it struck you, a third person would have been needed to guard the ore trains of La Rosas mine on their way to Guaymas, which would be a great pity.” Again the sarcastie inflection in his tones. “Tt was not within striking distance of me, but of the senorita.” “What!” exclaimed the Spaniard, his manner suddenly changing. “Is that true, Mercedes?” “Si mia padre (Yes, my father). life.” “Senor, you have placed me under the deepest of obligations to you,” said the Spaniard; seizing Jack by the hand. “I assure you I shall not for- get it. My child, my Mercedes, is the apple of my eye. In saving her life you have put your— but no matter. We shall meet again, I trust, young senor. You will honor my hacienda with your presence at an early date, I hope.” ‘ “T will endeavor to do so if you will tell m where it is.” “I will send a carriage to fetch you in a week, perhaps, when you have got settled at the mine. Till then I wish you adios ¢farewell).” 6 “Adios, senor,” said Jack, acknowledging the Spaniard’s courtly bow by lifting his hat in American style. + “Bid the senor goodby, Mercedes, and follow me,” said her father, stepping into the bushes after regainine his jeweled dagger. : The girl was all surshine now. “Senor Jack, I shall not forget what I owe ou,” she said, stepping up to him and offering er shapely hand. “We shall meet again soon.” — “T hope so, senorita, for it will be a great pleasure for me to do so,” said the plucky young American. - “Ah, senor Jack, you do not know what a load He saved my is off my mind. I no longer fear you will en- counter danger that you cannot protect yourself against.” ‘She flashed him one bewitching look and spring- — ing into the bushes was gone, and with her going Jack felt that the day had lost some of its brightness. CHAPTER VI.—At Their Journey’s End. _ ~ Bob had remained in the background whole of the interview Jack had had with cedes and her father. He now came forward. POF ay me, Bob, I forgot all about you,” said oe the

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- = “ 2 ie 5 4z a hy ca _: aa | Non ty sy eae 7. *” mye oe have Bob with him at the mine, though was called a THE CRIMSON MASK i to. Who was the gent who came out of the bushes and d.d the crack shooting?” “The young lady’s father.” “You don’t say. He’s a fine-looking man all Tight.” “Yes. He’s a Spaniard, not a Mexican. He has invited me to call at his hacienda. Going to send 2 rig for me after I get settled at the mine. “You're in luck, I'll have to pick up the Span- ish lingo if I remain in this country, otherwise I might as well be on an uninhabited island.” . le talking the boys were retracing their steps back through the defile. They now came in sight of the village. They had been away from the inn considerably more than an hour, and they calculated that dinner was ready by this time. And they were fully ready for their dinner. When they reached the inn found a table set for them under the shade a spreading tree, and y sat down and were immediately served by landlord himself. They ate the meal leisurely, during it Jack told his chum a part of what aoe between Mercedes and himself, ‘and her father said, so far as he could re- member. Before the boys had finished, Bruno brought the rig out of the yard and appeared to to proceed on the last lap of the journey. to Real del Monte was accomplished in- two hours, and the boys were set down at r of Mr. Winter’s residence. The general xr was at the mines, but they were wel- by Mrs. Winter and her pretty daughter. Jack was expected, but not Bob. Mrs. Winter, however, supposed that her hus- band had not been advised of the coming of the latter, and made him as welcome as Jack. After ga short conversation, Jack explained that his chum, not relishing the idea of parting from him, had followed him to Yuma on his own respon- omg and he had brought him the rest of the way, hoping that Mr. Winter would find some- pled for him to do at the mine. Mrs. Winter re- e2 that their countrymen were so few in that that her husband would be very glad to that neighborhood without authority. The puilt about an open s : thing after the style of a haci- rs) ce, which of course had no roof, ae tation and was shaded by tall pecan th which were set rustic seats. The one story, was quite a good- . the bandits?” asked Jack. ns after that the conversation continued in Eng- ish. Clara and the two boys were getting on swim- mingly together when Mr. Winter returned from the mine. He welcomed Jack heartily, but waz manifestly surprised to see Bob. Jack explained why his chum was there, and said he hoped that Mr, Winter would nos be put ont by bis coming, but find a job for him at the mine, since he and Bob were such warm friends and companions that they really wished to be together. The general manager laughed and said that would be all right. “I know Bob, and always liked him in ’Frisco, so, on the whole, I am rather pleased to have him here,” he said. “I’ll make it all right with Pick- ering, and will manage to find something for our young friend to do.” “I’m much obliged to you, sir,” said Bob. “It was rather cheeky of me to follow Jack, and try to force myself on your consideration, but I could- n’t help it.” “The fact is, Bob wanted to help run down the Crimson Mask bandits,” laughed Jack. At the mention of the rascals the manager’s face clouded. “The scoundrels!” he exclaimed. “They mur- dered poor Smith. You will have to look out for suereett, my lad, for the duty of conveying the ore to Guaymas will devolve on you.” “Can’t I go with Jack? We've provided our- selves with first-class magazine rifles on purposé to protect the train,” said Bob. “T should hardly like to expose both of you to the same peril,” replied Mr. Winter. “What’s the difference, sir?” said Bob. “I’m here on my own responsibility, and if anything happens to me it is not up to you.” “That’s a poor argument. Still I’ll consider the matter, for it might be safer for both-if two went than one.” : ; “That’s the way we've been figuring it, sir,” said Jack. He then told Mr. Winter about his meeting with Senorita Castilano and her father in the mountain glen near the village of Rio Chico, where they stopped that day for dinner, The manager was quite interested. “He is called Don Castilano in his neighborho midds sald: te te a bidalga of thukAn Spal bet banished from the country for some political offense. I know very little about him, having met him “32 once, and that was the other day just before I sent out that ill-starred convoy in the defence of which against the bandits Smith met his death,” he said. “He seemed to be much rr aree 3 ‘their ore east to Chihuahua, I did not look for the to bother with our small output. I there- rascals to b : fore told him that I did not think the mee | 373 any special protection. That Mr. Smith — on gid peons would take f it.” SS: “How did the peons ae aa he attacked by : “Very badly, ! understend. It was wholly <= * mien Se on — 1s +

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SS ‘THE CRIMSON MASK through their cowardice that Smith lost his life. Had they put up a good front the rascals might have been beaten off, for Smith was a fighter.” “T suppose you have notified the authorities of this State about the attack.” _ “Yes, but we Americans do not get a whole lot of sympathy from the Mexica I was told that a detachment of soldiers would be sent from the Guaymas garrison, but they haven’t showed up as yet.” “Mr, Pickering was awfully mad when he got - telegram concerning the outrage. He said e was going to appeal to the Secretary of State.” “That will simply mean a lot of red tape and nothing done. We have got to protect ourselves.” “Bob and.I will do our share, sir.” Jack told Mr. Winter that Don Castilano had in- vited him to his hacienda, and would send a rig for him in a week or so. “Well, you can go, of course, for you seem to be the only person in this vicinity whom the Don has taken friendly notice of. I suppose that is be- cause you saved his daughter from the bite of the dama blanca, which would have killed her ac- cording to the reptile’s reputation. They say that No one bitten by that snake has ever survived.” “Then I hope I do not run across any more of the species,” said Jack. “tT trust you won’t, as it probably would cut short your usefulness quicker than the bandits.” At this point the evening meal was announced and all hands adjourned to the dining-room. The evening was spent by the boys in strolling around the villare. with Clara. were sho\'n to a large airy chamber, looking out on-the back garden. “When you get up in the morning I advise you lads to shake out your clothes and your shoes be- fore putting them on,” said Mr. Winter. “Why so?” asked Bob. “To get rid of any stray centipedes that might fancy to lodge in them during the night.” “Gosh! Are those things so plentiful as that?” “There are quite a few around, and their bite is unpleasant. They sting with their tail. We are accustomed to them, and they don’t bother us much. Sometimes I step on half a dozen in a jay at other times I don’t notice one for severa ” S. _ “Why don’t they stop out of doors where they belong?” growled Bob. “It’s hard to say why they don’t,” laughed the manager; “but I guess they think they own the country and all that is in it. Goodnight.” “Goodnight, sir,” said Jack, and soon afterwards "© CHAPTER VII.—The Brotherhood of San Pedro. careful to look the floor over be- oe S Bob was ‘ “4 he | out of bed next morning, for he On their return they , front. A-light breeze was stirring, and though warm the morning was unusually charming. They strolled around a portion of the village, flirted with two or three pretty senoritas engaged in their morning avocations, and then returned to the house to find the family in the patio, and breakfast ready to be served. Soon after the meal the peon servants brought out three saddle horses. “J suppose you boys can ride some,” said Mr. Winter. “At any rate you can’t very well fall off these Mexican saddles, and you will soon get accustomed to riding.” “T can ride,” replied Jack,*“and I believe Bob can, too, though I never saw him on a horse.” s ees = thing I can ride is a hobby,” grinned ob. t “As your hobby at present is the annihilation of bandits, a la Bertram, you'll find it necessary to acquire horsemanship,” laughed Jack. Bob was helped into the saddle, where he felt strange and looked foolish. Jack needed no help, and the party set off at an easy pace to accom- modate Bob. Bassett clung on to the pommel with the tenacity of a drowning man to the pro- - verbial straw, and the motion of his animal bounced him up and down. Jack and Mr. Winter accommodated their bodies to the movements of the animals, thereby dispensing with the jolting that Bob received, and which subenrasely made sitting down as uncomfortable as if he had re-- ceived corporeal punishment in the old-fashioned style. In due time they covered the five miles between the village and the mine, and. Bob, with many grimaces, dismounted with his companions, They were introduced to several Mexican em- ployees, and then taken into the mine, through a — of long galleries on a level with the en- rance. There was no shaft extending downward as in- i most American mines, where the ore is hoisted to the surface in steel buckets by machinery. The main tunnel went straight into the mountain, like -— a railroad one, and from it branched off smaller ing one with the other. Where the ore had been dug out by previous owners were ged cham- bers of different sizes, according as the ore lode spread, acter that the roof and sides required no shoring timbers. As modern drills had not been used the and a far larger output secured. The boys bah 4 tunnels and galleries, on either side, all connect-_ Some of these were of such a solid char- __ ~ Se x e.

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ec . THE CRIMSON MASK $ “In a few days I shall have 159 bags of ore ready for shipment,” said the manager, “and I shall send it without delay to Guaymas. I might even go along with you boys to make sure that it gets in safety to the Gulf.” : “You have no idea what became of the bandits after looting the last train?” said Jack. : “One of peons who ran away af the time of the attack told me that they disappeared with the mules in the direction of the range of Rio Chico,” replied Winter. “I do not imagine that they are hiding there, though. It is probable that they skirted the mountains and then made for the Sierra Madre, in the fastnesses of which it is suspected they have their rendezvous. From all accounts seem to have stolen more than 1,000 bags of silver ore, some of it of especial richness. Our mine would seem to be the least productive for them when there are.so many richer ones in the neighborhood.” The manager did not assign the boys to any branch of work that day, and around noon he told them they could ride back to the house and rest themselves. They were glad to take adyantage of his permission, and off they set for the village. During the ride, Jack gave Bob some instructions in horseback riding, and they reached the house in time for the light midday meal. Later on Clara had her pony saddled and proposed that the boys accompany ee on a trip around the country. Jack had no objections, but Bob had. “However, he wouldn’t stay behind, for he had no way of amusing himself, so he accompanied the others. He felt like a wreck when they got back several hours later. “Holy smoke! But I’m sore,” he said to Jack, as he deposited himself on a settee in the patio in such a gingerly way as to provoke a loud : een on laughing at?” said Bob. eS t are you ga i “You. One would think you had suddenly be- = brittle from the way you sit down,” replied “Well, if you felt as I do you’d want a cushion.” “TI guess I can get you one, but it will give you ~ away.” “Don’t disturb yourself. I can stand it.” _ “When start for the mine in the mo 1 think y you're riding a redhot stove,” patos | “If J don’t feel any better than I do now I won’t . So Vou'll do as you are told, I guess. You're un "2 au are “No one knows. They disappeared.” “Were the church yaults searched for the al- leged treasure?” ‘ “Yes, but it was never found.” “Then I guess the legend doesn’t amount to much.” : “I don’t know. The people of the village round- about all believe that the sil hidden in the church.” “Why don’t they keep on searching for it, then?” “They wouldn’t dare penetrate those vaults, - They would regard it as a sacrilege, for the bones of most of the Brotherhood are buried there.” “Then who was it that searched unsuccessfully for the silver?” “The State authorities did on two or three oc- ons. “When they need money, I suppose. If I thought there was anything in the yarn I'd go and hunt for it myself on the quiet, with Bob, if he’d join And if we were lucky enough to find the treas- ure they’d stop us from taking it away, eh?” | “Indeed they would. The whole e of San moe would ye eo to help them.” “Tf we visit the church, as you se, will we to inspect the vaults?” “Oh, dear, I wouldn’t go down into those musty cellars for the world,” said the with a litt shudder. “Why they are nothing a kind of ae ver treasure is really - seo al = as

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10 underground cemetery. There must be more than 200 of the Brotherhood moldering away there.” “They must be buried one on top of the other; but I don’t suppose the coffins are in sight. Pm not afraid of dead men. They’re not dangerous at all, It is‘ live rascals, like the Crimson Mask band, who are to be avoided,” “T’ve heard people talk that way before,” laugh- ed the girl, “and discovered they were afraid to pass a lonesome churchyard at night.” “Well, Miss Clara, if you fear that the spirits of the moldy Brotherhood would get away with me you had better not dare to venture into those vaults. If I believed there was a treasure there nothing would stop me from trying to get at it. To prove to you that I’m not a coward, [’ll make a trip to that old church some night and bring away a coffin plate if I can find one, or a piece of a broken coffin.” “You wouldn’t do any such thing,” said Clara, incredulously. “Do you dare me to do it some time?” “I’m_afraid vou’d never come back.” The entrance*of Mr. Winter put a stop to the talk about the church of San Pedro, and soon af- terward dinner was announced. CHAPTER VIII.—Crimson Mask and His Band. A week away, during which Jack and Bob got well acquainted with the mine as well as the village of Real del Monte. Then Mr. Winter announced that on the eye 160 bags of silver ore would be shipped to San Francisco, via Guaymas. They were to go in two lots of eighty bags each, on the backs of forty mules, and Jac was to be in charge of the coavoy, with Bob as his second in command. Jack received full instruc- tions as to the delivery of the ore in Guaymas, "and after he had made the first trip he was to ae mules back at once and start out on the second. Ps A force of fifteen peons, armed with Mexican menkee, was to accompany the boys, to look after the mules and to protect the ore in case of a ban- dit attack. Jack and Bob would carry their rifles, so that the convoy, as far as appearances went, at any rate, was quite a formidable one. The convoy that went out under Smith, and was loot- ed, consisted of sixty mules with 120 bags of ore and fifteen peons. Only four of the peons car- ried muskets, while Smith had only a pair of Colt’s revolvers. They were attacked! about dark midway between Rio Chico and another small vil- lage to the west. : “From the most reliable accounts the bandit band does not number much over a dozen men,” said the general manager to Jack. “With the force and the arms you have at your our command : ‘you ought to foil any attack that might be made on the train. It is m opinion you will not be probably informed its are son Mask had en convoy powerless to an attack. Jack took a long THE CRIMSON MASK “It wouldn’t be good for the traitor that I found in our ranks,” said Jack, in a determined tone. “I think I’d hang him to the nearest tree aS an example.” “I wouldn’t blame you if you did. A traitor is entitled to no consideration, arid a firm hand is the best thing under perilous circumstances.” it was decided to start from the mine as early as possible and get beyond the danger zone dur- ing daylight. Accordingly, after an early break- fast Mr. Winter, Jack and Bob rode out to the mine, where they found the mules and the peons already assembled, The bags were quickly bound on the mules, and the start made at once. At Real del Monte four mules laden with provisions were taken on, and then the convoy continued on the road to Rio Chico. When within a mile of that hamlet a single horseman was declared a proaching from the mountains. He proved to be a Mexican of sinister aspect, and was armed with a rifle and a pair of revolvers. He asked for Senor Jack Redwood. “That’s my name,” said Jack, who, with Bob, was riding at the head of the line. Then, senor, this note is for you.” Fanding it to the boy, he wheeled his horse and sterted off. “Hold on,” shouted Jack: “Come back here.” But the horseman paid not the slightest atten- tion to his words. Nothing but a rifle shot would have stopped him, and Jack did not feel that he could proceed to such an extreme as that, though he strongly suspected that the messenger came from the Crimson Mask. Such proved to be the case when he opened the note and read the follow- ing: “Senor Redwood—I am fully acquainted with everything connected with your convoy—its ap- parent strength and its actual weakness. Look to the muskets of your men, as well as to the rifles of yourself.and companion, and you will under- stand how completely you are at my mercy if I chose to attack you. But be not afraid. A more potent power protects you than powder and What that power is I may not say. It is enough for you to know that you are safe. Go your way in peace. I accord you the right of way. Not only now, but at all times. : “Crimson Mask.” Jack was fairly staggered by the contents of. the note. With a feeling of uneasiness he cocked his rifle and pulled the trigger. There was a snap and nothing more. He threw out the cartridge and examined it. It had been tampered with and was useless. Every other cartridge in the maga- zine was in the same condition. Bob looked on until he comprehended the situation and then found all the cartridges in his own weapon to be out of commission. “Who in thunder has done this?” he exclaimed. “We have one or more enemies in our that is clear,” replied Jack. He pulled out his revolver and found the same condition there. He took a musket from the near- ee ee en It ’t be fired in a thousand years. The Crim- the truth—the | es was

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THE CRIMSON MASK 11 breath and his eyes instinctively wandered in the direction taken by the messenger. Across the men, : “Gee! I see our finish,” said “Bob. e’ll have to give up the mules, for here 4 ndits as _ eertain as eggs are eggs.” ye : Jack bit his lips. There was absolutely nothing to dé. They could not resist with clubbed guns, for the rascals would simply hold a short distance aloof and pick them off at their ease if he re- fused to surrender. The horsemen rode up to within a hundred yards and then stopped. At their head was a stalwart figure across whose es Was drawn a crimson mask. The band con- sisted’ of sixteen men, and the majority were hard-looking chaps, who would not have disgraced a pirate ship. The Crimson Mask made a gesture and they spread themselves out. Another ges- ture and fifteen rifles were raised, pointed heaven- 5 ward and discharged. ; ; The Crimson Mask then removed his sombrero and: made a bow toward Jack. « Swinging his = horse he darted off the way he camé, and his iS band followed in his tracks. The convoy had in- stinctively come to a halt, and every man, as well as the two boys, had watched the movements of the bandit band with peeing hearts. They watch- ed them de and gradually disappear in the distance with feelings it would be hard to de- scribe. : ee, es Yll be blowed!” cried Bob. “If this _ doesn’t beat the Dutch then I don’t know what I’m talking about.” __ : Jack said nothing, but started his horse on, and the convoy behind him got in motion again and = ed on its way. . — “Say, what do you s’pose this means?” asked b. ~ “Read the letter from the Crimson Mask. The facts seem to be exactly as set forth in it. We ___are helpless-yet are promised safety and the right i » Help! y ht of way. It is not according to bandit procedure to _ | away, and yet such seems to © be the case in this instance. It is a ¢ mys- 4 tery to me. As much so as is the real identity of - _ the Crimson Mask himself,” said Jack. : zi Bob read the letter. He certainly has us down ~._ “fine,” he said. “What does he mean by saying “that a more potent power protects us than powder = "Sow ca I tell you? I’m not @ mind reader.” tg Maybe we have some kind valley were approaching at full gallop a body of - et-a sure thing afraid of? The Mexicans are very su tious, __-*%tio; 1 don’t believe it’s anything like that, It would take something stronger than a charm to ee AR bandits from an easy snap.” e it up,” said Bob, handing the let- “Jt’s migh . ST alate Tite us, like a rabbit’s foot, that he’s: the Rio Yaqui, by fording, and camped on the other side for dinner. After an hour’s rest they proceeded to San Jose, and, thence to Bonancita, "twenty miles fur- ther, where they put up for the night at the inn. The pretty senorita seemed delighted to see Jack and Bob again, and hung around the table when she served them with supper, talking glibly with the former and making googoo eyes at the latter, In the morning the convoy resumed its journey. The second night was passed in a small village on the Matape River, and they reached Guaymas af- ter dark on the third day. Jack turned the bags of ore over to Mr. Winter’s agent, and next mora- ing his party started.on their return journey to Real de] Monte, where they duly arrived. CHAPTER IX.—The Ride to San Pedro. Mr. Winter had already been informed by a note from Jack, sent by a messenger from Rio Chico, of their meeting with the Crimson Mask, but beyond intimating that they had not been molested, he inclosed no particulars. When the mule train returned to Real del Monte the first thing the general manager did was to congratu- late Jack on having carried the convoy through in safety and with dispatch. “IT got # Paso note,” he said, “saying that you met the bandits and were not interfered with. I guess the Crimson Mask was shy of attacking you _— he saw you were well prepared to receive im.” “That’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Winter. We were in worse shape than Mr. Smith was to stand them off,” replied Jack. “Why, what do you mean?” said the manager, in surprise. “A dozen of the peons carried mus- kets, while you boys had your rifles, and a re- volver apiece.” “Yes, I know it, but they were of no more use to us than wooden dummies.” “T don’t understand you.” “Every cartridge we had had been tampered with. Not one could be fired.” - “What!” gasped Mr. Winter. “See for yourself. There are the cartridges I took out of the magazine of my rifle. They are centerfire ones. The fulminating caps have been removed.” : We will state here that this could not have hap- pened with the present style of cartridge in use to-day; but the events described in this story bain ss tnd and thi 2?” asked Mr. ow under di s happen?” asked Mr. Winter. r “That’s what I would like to know. We have . traitors in camp, and the damage was done before we set out.” “But how could any emi of the bandits ssary have got hold ef your‘rifle and Bob’s? You kept them in your room.” open.” difficult . windows et “Well, this is Sie pete ig : “I don’t think it will happen again if there i ;

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12 any faith to be put in the word of the Crimson Mask, whose actions towards us, I must say, were very extraordinary.” “What do you mean?” “Prior to th ‘ horseman rode up to the head of the train, asked for me, and after handing me a note, retreated the way he came. Here is the note. Read it and gee what you can make out of it. It is Greek to me. Mr. Winter read the note. “Most extraordinary,” he said. “It certainly is. The actions of the band were in perfect keeping with it,” and Jack described the approach of the bandits, their salute and their retreat. “I’m bound to say that the conduct of the Crim- son Mask and his followers is past my compre- hension. If he holds to his word we shall have no further trouble in sending our ore to Guay- mas; but I suspect there is some ruse behind it. I shall continue to take the same precautions, and we will make sure before you start again in the morning that all your weapons are in working order.” Nothing else was talked of at the dinner table but the trip to Guaymas and the peculiar incident connected with it. Next morning the second con- voy started out, and as they approached Rio Chico the two boys kept a sharp lookout for the bandits. They did not appear, and the train pro- ceeded to Guaymas without incident. When the boys returned to Real del Monte they heard that an ore train on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre had been attacked and captured. ‘The Crimson Mask had evidently been at work on his former stamping-grourids. The boys had een three weeks in Mexico, and there was hardly an hour during that time in which Jack had not thought of Mercedes Castilano. He wondered when her father was going to send for him to pay the anticipated visit at his hacienda. Jack hoped that the don had not gone back on the arrangement, for he was eager to meet the Spanish beauty again. He believed she would be delighted to see him also. A meeting between them depended wholly on her father’s pleasure, however, and until the promised vehicle was sent the boy felt he could do nothing. The Winter family and the two boys were at breakfast on - the third Sunday morning of Jack-and Bob’s ad- vent into Mexico when, during a break in the con- ‘sation, Miss Clara said: | E “Father, have you any objections to my going to San Pedro to-day with Jack and Bob to see the church and monastery of the Brotherhood?” “Hum! That’s a long horseback ride—all of Do you think you ? tand —o- for the pleasure of looking fices,” she answered. “We Fics, THE CRIMSON e appearance of the rascals a single ‘ MASK over last night, and it was decided to go if you had no i ountable objection.” l.. I place my daughter in your _ haveeno doubt that you will bring and sound,” said the general man- ager. ~ : “Yes, sir, we'll look after her,” said Bob, who was somewhat smitten with the young lady, though she, on her part, divided her smiles equal- ly between the boys. A peon was called and received his orders. Clara retired to her room to put on her riding dress, while the boys strolled outside to await the bringing-up of the stout pony and two horses. “Don’t you think we’d better carry our revol- vers?” said Bob. “Now that would look well on Sunday, wouldn’t it?” said Jack. “There isn’t any danger, or Mr. a would have vetoed the arrangement off- and.” “We might meet the Crimson Mask and his band.” “If we did, a couple of revolvers wouldn’t do us a whole lot of good; but there is little danger of that. They are doubtless twenty or thirty miles to the northeast in the Sierra Madre. It is only a few days ago that they pillaged that ore train on the other side of the range, and retreated with the spoils to their rendezvous, which everybody agrees is in some inaccessible part of the moun- tains where the soldiers couldn’t find them a couple of months ago when they were scouring the district,” said Jack. “All right,” said Bob. “I only offered the sug- gestion.” : “I applaud your foresight, only it’s unnecessary in this case.” 3 “San Pedro is about five miles north of Rio Chico, Miss Clara said.” “Something like that.” “In the same mountains that we paid the brief visit to that day.” “Yes, The glen with the waterfall is at the extreme southern end of the range.” “Don Castilano’s hacienda is somewhere be- tween those two villages, don’t you think?” ‘ AD, Recharge sonoma are roe I wish “Kind of funny that the Don didn’t keep his word to send for you. He and his daughter are under great obligations to you.” . “There must be a good reason for his not doing so, for he is surely a gentleman, if I ever met one. I am satisfied that I shall hear from him, for —. Spaniards of standing are very scrupulous about their honor, and wouldn’t break their word under any circumstances. Probably he thinks it best to let me get accustomed to my new surroundings | before he arranges for the visit.” “We might s his hacienda on our way to San Pedro without knowing it.” : “Tt is quite possible, but even if I knew the place I would not venture to call there on my own responsibility.” : x “I should think you’d take a long chance for the pleasure of meeting his daughter again. You ap- : vag Sed ae geod gone on her,” grinned Bob. — 3 ‘ow do you know that I’m dead gone on he == iat Yok ie = Aa ee

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i THE CRIMSON MASK “For reasons. Besides, you’re blushing like a full-blown sunset now.” “Get out.” The simultaneous appearance of the horses and Miss Clara put an end to the discussion; the party mounted and, waving their adieus to Mr. and Mrs, Winter, took the road leading to Rio Chico. There was no danger of their missing the way, for when they got in sight of Rio Chico all the had tp do was to turn and ride north parallel wit the mountains till they came to a broad o in the range. Riding up into this they woul presently see the village of San Pedro nestling within, and the church and monastery on the heights beyond. In less than two hours after ate the house they discovered Rio Chico aha “We have made Leg & good time,” said Jack. “You are a fine rider, s Clara.” “I dearly love to ride, and as I have been in the habit of going out nearly every day since we ought to be a fair rider by this Practice makes perfect, you know,” she “Bob has rounded to pretty well for-a fellow who never rode anything wilder than the un goat on which he was initiated into the secret order of the Knights of Coveo,” chuckled Jack. “Do belong to a secret order, Mr. Bassett?” asked diara, with a look of interest. “It must be great fun to be initiated. I’ve heard my father that he was obliged to ride a goat when he the Masons.” “No, Miss Clara, I don’t belong to any secret order. That was just one of Jack’s jokes,” said b. “Aren’t you just horrid, Jack Redwood!” cried the girl, with a pout. “I'm anything the opening beyo' in pid ridden b female. She was ap- i a a at-a Paik: gallon: which showed she Was an accomplished equestrian, Suddenly Jack felt a thrill run through his blood. His sharp eyes had recognized the fair rider as Mercedes Castilano. CHAPTER X.—What Jack Said to Mercedes. oment later Bob identified her. It’s the Spanish girl, Mercedes, Jack,” that young lady?” asked cee , for she saw that 13 “Why, Senor Jack, what brings you here?” cried Mercedes, with a bewitching smile that com- pleted Jack’s enslavement. “I am so glad to see you.” They halted and she offered her hand. “My friend and I are escorting Miss Winter, the daughter of our employer, on a flying visit to the ‘church and monastery of San Pedro. We a heard it is something worth seeing,” said The smile faded out of Mercedes’s face and she looked serious. “I am sorry you are going there,” she said, “for you will be disappointed if you expect to go through the monastery. It is possible you may be pod to see the church. As a rule no one t the priest and his assistant enters the build- ing except in the morning when mass is read, or in the evening at vespers; as for the monastery, it is wholly closed to vistors.” “That is too bad. Miss Winter will be greatly disappointed, for she, more than Bob and I, under- took this round trip of forty miles to see both buildings. Come, I will introduce you to her, and also to my chum.” Mercedes showed no eagerness for the introduc- tion. She saw that Clara was pretty and shapely, and perhaps she was not pleased to find Senor Jack, who was never out of her thoughts, in her company. But she went forward with Jack to the spot where Bob and Clara had stopped. “Miss Winter, this is Senorita Casti ” said Jack, in Spanish. Clara bowed in a friendly way, but the S irl acknowledged the introduction in a well bred ut haughty manner, taking in the fair American with a rapid sweep of her beautiful eyes. Jack told Clara what Mercedes had said about the im- Reapers. boy would. Mercedes admitted that it was a pity, and then invited the party to visit her father’s haci- enda, which was on the mountain side overlook- together, took the lead into the secluded valley. Mercedes told him that her father would have kept his promise to send a carriage for him but for the fact that he had been away a consid- erable part of the time. He was now at the hacienda and had told her he intended to send for Senor Jack on the following day. ‘ “It isn’t necessary for your father to send for me,” said Jack. “I can ride over here myself just as well as not.” “But now that you are here you will stay, will you not?” said Mercedes. “It would give me great pleasure to do so if I could; but I must return with my friend Bob and Miss Winter, as I am partly responsible for her return,” e Mercedes looked disappointed. “Senorita Winter, you like her very much, is it not so?” she said, looking steadily at Jack. . “She is a very nice , and of course I like her; but I like somebody else better.” : “komebody else!” exclaimed Mercedes, with a flash in her eyes. “Ah, you then have a sweet- heart in the States?” es ee es pais:

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14 THE CRIMSON MASK “No. I have no sweetheart. The only girl I care for in the world thinks of me only as a friend.” “And who is she?” Jack shook his head. “You will not tell me, Senor Jack?” with a jealous flash. “No; it is impossible,” Mercedes became silent and constrained, and they rode in silence for a few moments. “Have I offended you, Senorita Mercedes?” he said at length. “Oh, no; it is nothing to me, this girl that you care for. She does not interest me in the least,” she replied, drawing herself up with all the pride of her race. “Let us talk about something else.” Jack, however, saw that her manner had sud- denly grown. cold and distant, and his face reflect- ed his own feelings. He made no effort to talk about something else, and so they rode along without a word, while Bob and Clara laughed and chatted behind them. In a minute or two the village of San Pedro burst upon their view. It was only a small collection of one-story houses and thatched hovels, in all not more than fifty or sixty. They stood in picturesque confusion on the left slope of the range, and overflowed into the narrow valley. On the right was a long, rambling building of two-stories, partly hidden by a cactus grove, and flanked by many small one- story buildings on the slope behind it, the whole collection sleeping peacefully in the sunshine, This was the hacienda. Straight ahead was the church, of so preten- tious an appearance that it looked out of place in such humble surroundings; while above and behind it towered the monastery of the Brother- hood of San Pedro, built solidly of stone, and bearing every trace of its 150 years of exist- ence. scene itself was one. well worth com- ing some distance to gaze on, and Clara uttered an exclamation of admiration. But as her eyes rested on the church and the monastery, her dis- Praga Was increased when she reflected { the interiors were closed to strangers. Bob | = and Clara gazed around with interested attention, ? but to Jack the scene might have been a blank wall for all the pleasure he took in it. Bob no- ticed his solemn look. “What's the matter, old man?” he asked. “You look as if you had just lost your best friend.” Sets worry ut me,” replied his chum, arply. Bob knew that something was the matter, and he laid the change in Jack’s manner to something that had taken place between him and Mercedes. oe saw ae his rues soa = no pero Eee itted, so he prudently his tongue. party had for a moment, and then Mer- cedes and Jack again went on in advance. “Senorita Mercedes, I have certainly offended you,” began Jack. : “Not in the least,” she answered with a short laugh that sounded harshly on his ears. “I could not be offended at anything you said. Do TI not owe my li : softness. ag BE Ee Her voice i a : ___“Please do not refer to that,” he said earnestly. - *“T only did my duty. Anybody would have done _othe-same for you. But, in meeting you I have lost something that—well, what’s the use of talk- ing? It wouid not interest you to know. I sup- pose I can stand it. At any rate I’ll have to.” _ The tone of his voice caused her to regard him intently. “What did you lose, Senor Jack?” she asked. “T can’t tell you any more than I could answer your other questions,” he said. “Is it very valuable this thing that you have lost?” she asked. “T would rather not discuss it.” “I am sorry, Senor Jack, that is saving my life you should lose something you think so much of,” in a tone of sympathy. “You have hunted for it and could not find it. Ah, if I knew what it was I would look for it for you. I would not rest till I had found it.” Jack remained silent. “Won’t you tell me what it is?” she said, lay- ing her hand on his arm. “I wish I could, but—I dare ‘not.” _ : “Dare not, Senor Jack,” she exclaimed, opening her eyes in surprise. “No, I haven’t the nerve.” : “And yet you dared tell my father to his face that—” she stopped abruptly and with a kind of startled confusion. “T don’t understand you, Senorita Mercedes.” She uttered a little forced laugh. : “It is nothing. See, yonder comes my father. He will be surprised to see you, but none the less glad. It is a pity that you cannot stay with us now. Perhaps my father can a e to send some one in your place With your friend Senorita Winter so that they will surely get back home in safety.” “Do you wish me to stay, very much?” - “Why what a question, Senor Jack,” she cried, with a vivid blush. “Do you not believe I do?” “T should be very glad to know that you did. I should be very happy to feel that my company was half as welcome to you as yours is to me.” “Ah, Senor Jack!” blushed Mercedes. “You must not say that to me. It is not fair to the only girl you care for in all the world.” “Why not,” he replied, in sudden desperation, “when that girl is—you. There, you have forced the secret from me, and if I have offended you I can’t help it. I have loved you from the first moment [ looked at you. It was my heart I lost in the glen of ‘the waterfall, and have it in ooo keeping. You may not want it, it is true, ut I can no more help loving you than yonder sun can help shining in a clear sky. If I could win you I’d be the happiest boy in the world; but I have no such expectations. You are the only daughter of a proud Spanish Don, while I—well, I’m nobody but a plain American boy, with my fortune to carve through my own efforts. Now you know the truth, and I hope I have not offended you.” ; Mercedes did not reply.. She could not, for her own heart was in a tumult. Her whole nature thrilled as he acknowledged he loved her. The ' emotions of her young heart painted her cheeks with a hue that vied with the reddest rose that ever grew, And she was happy—happier at that moment than she had ever inher life, for she had loved Senor Jack ‘at first sight, and now” she knew he loved her. >

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THE CRIMSON MASK 15 CHAPTER XI—At San Pedro. And so they rode forward side by side, without exchanging another word until they halted before Don Castilano, who recognized Jack with not a little surprise. “Welcome, Senor Redwood. Welcome to my hacienda, and pardon my seeming neglect in not sending the promised carriage for you.” “l’m glad to meet you again, Don Castilano,” said Jack, springing off his horse. “Let me in- troduce you to Miss Winter, the daughter of the manager of La Rosas mine.” The Spaniard bowed ~~~ courteously. “Also to my friend, Robert Bassett, of San Francisco, California.” The Don expressed the pleasure he felt at mak- ing their acquaintance, speaking in very good 2 English. The Spaniard then invited them all to 7 accept the hospitality of his home. They were soon seated in the spacious patio, which was paved with well-scrubbed stones, laid in geometri- = cal designs, and shaded by the usual pecan trees. t roses bloomed on all sides, mingled with other gorgeous plants. Jack subsequently learned that the house was older even than the monastery, and was the original residence of the Brotherhood ~~~ of San Pedro in its infancy. A substantial meal Was ordered prepared by the Don, for he knew that his guests must be hungry after their long ride from Real del Monte, and until it was ready om the party talked together in a lively style, that is S Bob excepted. for his inability to converse in ; Spanish placed him at a disadvantage. However, he and Don Castilano were able to get along fairly well together, while Jack and the two girls made up a group of their own. Now that reedes saw that she stood in no fear of Clara : as a rival for Jack’s heart, she dropped the haughty, distant manner she had.at first assumed S toward Miss Winter, and treated her in a parti- . ularly friendly way. She did not sit next to ~=ee Jack, but on the other side of Clara, and even when she replied to the young American she did not at any time look at him. Under these cir- ~ eumstances Jack was not sure how she had taken ~ his declaration of love. He was not sorry he »-- made it, for at least it set his position right in the senorita’s mind, and cleared up the misun- ~ derstanding she had at first labored under. Fin- __ ally the meal was announced and all went in to the dining-room. Mercedes and her father had already dined, and so they merely sat down to _ keep their guests company. __—-—- *Don Castilano, why are the church and mon- __astery closed to public inspection?” said Jack. = “There are reasons connected with the latter which I cannot explain, Senor Redwood. The - church, however, is not absolutely interdicted to S They can see the interior by apply- priest’s quarters on the ground floor the monastery, when an assistant will show of t wi : them through the edifice. It is very well worth — eel , being bes Ss. much superior to the usual country . church of which she has rd. = her curiosity,” said _ “Miss Winter came on this trip especially to see and monastery, which a great deal to arouse a “I regret that it will be impossible for her to enter the monastery., Strangers are not allowed . within the postern gate. After all there is noth- ing that is so very interesting there. The rooms are mostly of cell-like appearance and propor- tions, for the Brotherhood led a very austere life. They have absolutely no furniture. The Brothers slept on beds of straw or dried brush, and knelt on the bare stones when they performed their private devotions. The ground floor, now occu- pied by the resident pastors, is the only part of the building that is worthy of inspection. Here the rooms are large, particularly the refectory, where the Brotherhood took their meals at long bare tables, seated on benches without backs. There are niches about this room that once were filled with solid silver images, it is said. They are empty. now. Where the images went no one knows. The monastery was never despoiled by vandals, so the inference is that they were hidden by the last of the Brotherhood, with all the valu- able vessels aid decorations connected with the church. The church, however, you can see. [ will send a servant for the key, and will show it to you myself,” said the Don. Although Clara and the boys would liked to have gone through the monastery, their disap- pointment was rendered less keen when they heard that they were to view the church. The Don said there were several rare paintings in it, which had been brought from Europe more than 100 years since, and that the carvings in the wooden altar were really excellent pieces of work. The wooden panels, representing the “sta- tions of the cross,” had also been executed by some member or members of the Brotherhood. Be- fore the meal was over the Spaniard excused himself to send for the key of the church, and when the young people arose from the table he was ready to accompany them. Mercedes went along, of course, but Jack could not get her whol- ly to himself, as she persisted in attaching herself to Clara, and so the boys walked on either side, with the Don by himself in advance. The interior of the church surprised Clara and the boys. “It was quite spacious, considering the size of the congregation that attended the two morning masses on Sunday and holy days, or even at the evening vespers service, when all went in a body. It had a framed roof covered with thatch, and this roof was supported by heavy columns, arched from one to the other, giving free ingress to the light and air from the garden on either side. When Jack looked at these open walls, the base percty more than two feet high all around, he thought it almost a superfluous precaution to lock the double front doors. An y could enter the church at his ease by way of the gardens. He afterward discovered + it was impossible to get into the gardens except through a small door at the back of the church owing to the thick and high wall of prickly cactus which surrounded them completely. ey were standing in the center of the stone floor, which had no pews to obstruct it—the worshippers kneeling on it all . through mass, which was begreioes. 7s} @ penance, — Z when you come to think of i : ture of the “Immaculate altar, when Jack noticed that — blocks bore the words in Latin, “Et t ee,

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16 rectionem mortuorum” (And I expect the resur- rection of the dead). “Why is that there, and what does it mean?” he asked the Don. explained that the slab covered the stone steps leading down into the vaults under the church where some 200 of the Brotherhood were buried, several of whom had been there nearly 150 years. years. “It is said that the Brotherhood hid a consid- erable treasure jn the vaults, including all the church vessels and ornaments and images that you mentioned at the house.” “You mustn’t believe all you hear, Senor Red- wood,” said the Spaniard, with a slight frown. “It is true that the mysterious disappearance of the ornaments, vessels and images has given rise in the vaults, but they can hardly be called a treasure, though quite valuable. The authorities of the State once searched the vaults for the alleged treasure, but they found nothing, and went away convinced that there is nothing of value the Sy re.” is The Don then showed them through the gar- <a dens, which were one mass of blooming plants, oe i after which they left to return to the hacienda, 3 passing close to the wall of the monastery 50 they could obtain as near a view as possible of oy the old edifice from the outside. The postern aS gate happening to be open, they caught a view of : the cou rd, which gave them an idea of the depth of the enclosure. When they reached the ~~ hacienda, Jack said it was time for them to start on their return. Mercedes said something in a 2 low tone to her father and he nodded. a: _ “Now that are here, Senor Redwood, why ; mot remain with us for a week or so?” said the Don. “One of my servants shall go with your friends and see that they reach home in safety. It will saye you the trouble of riding over to-mor- row or next day, for I was about to send for you.” » Jack was perfectly willing to stay. In fact he was eager to do so, for it meant many tete-a-tetes “jn prospect with Mercedes, but he was not sure that suth an arrangement would meet with Miss Winter’s approbation. Clara, however, quickly put any doubts he had to rest by saying that she - guessed Jack had better stay and get his visit over with, since he had talked so much about it that she felt sure he would have a very pleasant time. And so it was decided that Jack should remain and one of the Don’s servants take his place as Miss Winter’s second escort. ~ “You will have to take the next convoy out, = Bad said Jack. .“Look cut for it, and take no Leave that to me,” replied Bob. , Mercedes “Don Castilano invited Jack to tak Dana ie property, the cultivated fields of which earn Don Castilano translated the sentence and-then’™ to the impression that they are hidden somewhere- walk THE CRIMSON MASK company of Mercedes. She, however, had disap- - —— without a word to him, and in consequence e was a bit uneasy as to the real state of her feelings toward him. Jack and the Don spent an hour rambling around the property. On their return the boy caught sight of a man at the door of one of the outhouses. He retired abruptly on seeing them, but from the brief look Jack caught of his face he could have sworn he was the emis- sary of the Crimson Mask who delivered the note se hin at the head of the mule convoy on his first rip. i Jack met Mercedes at the evening meal. She sat facing him, and was shy about looking his ~~ way when she knew he was looking at her. She did not have much to say, and so the bulk of the conversation was carried on in Spanish between the Don and his young visitor. Jack was afraid Mercedes would take another flight after supper, but she did not, and Don Castilano left them to- gether in the patio. “We always go to vespers, Sunday night, Senor Jack,” Mercedes said. “Have you any objection going with us?” “None whatever,” replied Jack. “My mother was a Catholic, and I have often attended that Church, though I’m not a regular attendant at any.” ees From that point the conversation went on, Jack taking care to avoid saying anything sentimental, He was satisfied to have the girl he loved by his ~ side, where he could listen to the music of her voice in softly spoken Spanish, and look at her gloriously beautiful face from time to time. She on her part seldom glanced at him, but once when his hand rested on her arm the thrill that swept through her warm Spanish blood sent waves of color to her cheeks, and she breathed quicker as her heart beat faster. At length the church bell sounded and the Don reappeared. He was pleased to learn that his guest was going to attend the __ evening service, and he appeared to regard Jack with increased favor, As they walked to the church Jack saw groups of the “ies wending their way in the same direction. ere were no absentees but the sick of Sabbath evening. When_ they drew near the door they were saluted with great respect by the people who drew aside to let them pass. The Don led the way up to their accustomed spot on one side near-the altar, where the Don and Mercedes knelt and Jack, of course, _ followed their example. The priest and altarboys had not yet appeared, and Jack glanced around ~~ on the kneeling congregation, and noted their - costumes and general appearance. Suddenly his eyes rested on the slab that bore the Latin in- scription. No one knelt there, and it stood out eleay and distinct in an open space. Jack’s thoughts began to concern themselves with the 4 gloomy vaults of the dead below. And from the dead they easily reverted to the treasure that . was supposed to be hidden somewhere there. The church, the worshippers and even the priest and the three boys, one carrying the censer, from which issued at times thin whisps of white smoke, all vanished from his material vision, as his — thoughts went groping around among the vaults that his a ted, treasure was really hidden in that sepulch Sg

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THE CRIMSON MASK the dead. At length the short service was over, and everybody filed outside. The Don, Mercedes and Jack were the last to leave. Together they walked back to the hacienda. ‘The moon was just rising about the mountains as they reached it. Jack and Mercedes paused outside to look ait it, while the Spaniard went in. There is a witchery in the moon, but more so in a semi-tropical coun- try like Mexico than elsewhere, and it had its ef- fect on the young people. For some moments they stood in silence, then Jack said: “Are you provoked with me, Mercedes?” “Provoked!” she murmured. “At my boldness in telling you-that I loved She made no reply. “TI told you the truth. It is no crime to tell a ~ girl you love her better than your life as I do you. do not suppose you care for me other than a friend, but I had to tell you just the same, even risk of displeasing you. Now I am to stay a week and we shalj be much together. If ion was distasteful to you I want you . now, and henceforth my lips“ will al- on their guard. I will mention love no more, we will part as the best of friends. But shall carry your image always in my thoughts, a you as the one girl who might have ppy.” meopee and the = night bp ing wafted a the tinkling of a guitar from some’spo ‘ar distant. Then rose eae tenor voice, and from the lips of the singer rippled a warm Span- ~~ dsh love song. Jack and Mercedes listened with = bated breath. They stood as motionless as statues till the last note died out. Then the young Amer- iean drew a long breath. “Mercedes,” he said, “that is my finish, I can’t _ stay here longer than to-night. I cannot enjoy your society and feel like a lost soul peering in at the gates of Paradise. I must go and see you Mo more.”” “No, no; you must not, I cannot let you go. I love you—I love you!” cried Mercedes, throwing : her arms around his neck, in her impulsive, Span- 3 _ sh way, and laying her lovely face close to his. ~ An hour later when Jack re to his room he ‘stood and looked out of the window, which faced . the village. $ = % ~ “J must find out who the singer was,” he - thought. “He did the business for me, and I shall st never forget him as long as I live. And I will or him for it if-I can get the chance. “As he was about to turn away two shadowy fig- ures came from around an angle of the building. ‘They seemed to glide forward rather than walk, amd they sto under the window. ‘ “You heard vi the captain said, Sanchez? _ paid the taller e two. done to-night.” 4g; [ heard him. Caramba! He is truly a to venture into the vaults among the search of that treasure.” : » is nothing he won’t attempt. You ought time.” | Americanos call ‘the there he will find it.” Tf the treasure is is there? x e business is to be - _ carried to him the note from the Crimson Mask. nee It is there. The paper the - secured proves that, but the most im- A bSityiecets SEE Ome ots : 17 portant part of the directions were missing—torn off in some way.” “How unfortunate! is it supposed to be?” “At the southwest end.” “If we were caught in that vault there would be trouble for us. The priests and people would 5 ae it as a sacrilege, and that’s a serious thing, ro.” “We will not be caught. . The captain will have all avenueg of approach guarded against surprise. Besides, at three in the morning all are asleep. Do not fear, Sanchez, we shall not be molested,” “I am not sure that I like the enterprise.” “Ha! Tell that to the captain.” “El demonio! I see myself doing that. I know bee Crimson Mask too well to take chances with le { “Bueno!” laughed the other. “Then‘you will be on hand, for his orders include you and myself to attend him to the vaults.” : = the saints this is not pleasant news,” growled Sanchez. “I would rather face a regi- ment than the ghosts of the Brotherhood.” “Talk that way to the captain, and he will make a ghost of you. Don’t be a bobo (fool). The Brotherhood are too happy in the next world to bother about what is going on in their vaults. Consider, amigo, the Crimson Mask honors us when he asks us to accompany him. Our share of the treasure will be greater in ‘consequence. Isn’t that a pleasant reflection, Sanchez?” “Very; but the treasure is not found yet, Pedro. It is not well to count one’s chickens too soon. By the way, I see that boy—the young Americano who saved the Senorita Mercedes from the dama blanca, and who says he is not afraid of the cap- tain—he is here at the hacienda to stay a while.” “Yes; d saw him to-day. it is a mistake to have him around, He has sharp eyes, and there is no telling what he might see. If he learned this was the roost of the Crimson Mask _ “Bah! Why should he learn anything when the whole villagesis ignorant of the fact?” “The captain was a fool to send me to him with that note. It is all on account of the senorita, He will do anything for her.” “Except give up the business.” “When we secure the treasure that will end it. Mest of the silver has already been turned inte money. Only the last lot is still on hand. While the soldiers are again hunting for us in the Sierra Madre we will quietly disband, and enjoy life on the proceeds. I shall feel sorry when it is all over.” : : bp ayo You have queer taste. I shall be glad. : “Well, let us go and have a drink or two to the success of to-night’s work.” At that moment the moon, which had been hic den behind a cloud during the interview, came out and shone full on their faces. Jack, who had been watching and listening, caught a good leok as - them. Yes, the man Pedro was the chap who had In what part of the vaults es CHAPTER XIII.—In the Vaults of the Dead. — Jack watched the men depart with rather te multuous feelings. So this place was the secret

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18 THE CRIMSON MASK rendezvous of the Crimson Mask. And the Crim- son Mask—the daring leader of the bandits who killed Smith, and looted so many silver ore con- voys—had he discovered his identity? Was he—- Jack hesitated to breathe his sus- picions even to himself, for they circled around the father of the girl he loved, and who had de- clared her love for him that night under the light of the glorious moon. Who else could the Crim- son Mask be if not the Don? ‘Then across his brain flashed all that had passed between him and the Don in the glen, and it certainly had a signifi- cant tinge. . Then on top of it all came the note from the bandit assuring him that his convoy would not be molested, and that at all times he would be accorded the right of way to Guaymas. If it was a fact that Don Castilano was masquerading as the Crimson- Mask bandit, was it not his clear duty to inform the authorities of the State through Mr. Winter? And yet could he bring the father of Mercedes to justice? | Suddenly his thoughts reverted to the treasure in the vaults of the church, the existence of which seemed to be established by the conversation he had just overheard. He looked at his watch. It was eleven o’clock. Four hours intervened before the bandits would descend on the church. Had he the nerve to make use of those four hours to his own possible advantage by making an attempt to find the treasure himself? Yes, he thought he had. Having come to a determination to put the adventure through, he proceeded to prepare for it. He had to have a light to find his way around the vaults. He would take the small lamp in his room. Then he needed an implement to pry up one side of the slab in the church. He found what he wanted in a thin piece of steel, a foot long, which some one had left on the window ledge. He >emoved his shoes, and with the lamp, in one hand, and the steel jn his pocket, he made his way down stairs to the patio. The moonlight illuminated it. He knew the position of the differ- extt doors, and going to one of them, he found no difficulty in letting himself out. Then he started for the church, keeping as much as possible in the shadows of the trees and hedges. Proceeding to the rear where the postern gate was, he examined the cactus as he went. In one spot near the ground he noticed an opening. Ex- amining it carefully he judged that he could crawl through. Pushing the lamp ahead of him he es- sayed the task. His calculations were correct, and he presently stood up inside the garden. Glid- ing across the garden he reached the arched open- ings to the church. As he had no time to lose he into the church and advanced toward the + dim red light—a Seeking wink in perhaps a half side the stone, which ee i asure of San Pedro he de- _ afraid of us.” As soon as Jack reached the floor, curiosity in- duced him to go to the east to see the cofiins, for he judged that it must be an odd sight to see so “many arranged in such close order, after the fashion of a receiving tomb in a public cemetery. A few steps brought him to the other line of old- fashioned wooden coffins. On the foot of each coffin was painted a number and the year of in- terment. Jack had no time to waste in this quar- ter of the vaults. -He simply took a rapid and comprehensive survey of the coffins as a whole, and then hurried over to the southwest. If he expected to find any marks that would furnish a clue to the treasure he was disappointed. He spent an hour in a vain search. “Tl have to give it up,” he muttered, disap- pointedly. “If the treasure is hidden here the Brothers who placed it in concealment intended it should never be found until the building was utterly demolished, which will not be soon. I must get away before the Crimson Mask and his followers appear on the scene, for they probably would not treat me very gently if they caught me in the church.” Retracing his steps to the stone stairs he blew out the lamp and ascended. But an un- pleasant surprise awaited him. When Jack ap- eared up the steps of the vault he was seized by We have caught you!” he cried exult- “Down with you among the bones of the padres!” ; The man with the Crimson Mask looked on and chuckled. CHAPTER XIV.—A Boy of True Courage, Pedro forced Jack down the steps and followed himself with a strong grip on his arm. Behind him came Sanchez with a lantern. The man with the Crimson Mask approached and gazed at Jack in the circle of the lantern the same height and build as the Don, and had the same polished manner. He also wore the identical kind of a ring on one of his fingers that the boy had seen on the Don’s hand. ; light. Jack looked at him attentively. He was~ — “Well, young senor, what have you to say for. ourself?” asked the Crimson Mask. “What rings you to the vaults of San Pedro when you ought to be asleep in your room at the hacienda?” “T have nothing to say at all, Don Castilano. You see I recognize you,” replied Jack, boldly. — The Crimson Mask chuckled while a grin ap- pearedon the rascally-looking faces of Pedro and Sanchez. “Upon my word you are a brave youth. Have you no fear of the dead?” “None whatever.” ¥ : “Caramba! You would make a fine bandit,” said the Crimson Mask in a tone of admiration. “I would make you an offer only for the fact that. the ral of the band are numbered—not by the authorities, but by ourselves. The Crimson Mask band, the terror of the Sierra Madre, will present- — ly cease to exist.” “I am glad to hear it,” said Jack. “Why, senor? ‘You, at least, appear not tobe = eee as =

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THE CRIMSON MASK “For the sake of your daughter—the best and sweetest little girl on the face of the earth.” “Aha! Have you fallen a slave to her charms?” “If I have I am not ashamed of it. Until to- night I regarded you as one of nature’s noble- men—a Spaniard of high birth and breeding, whe would scorn to cast the faintest blemish on the — Castilian name he bore. As such [ be- “And you take Mercedes with you, and I never shall meet her again?” said Jack, his voice break- ine for the time. There was a pause, durin : tock se slits of We didgios: es et Se love her?” he said at length, in a changed “As I love my country for whom I would at any time lay down my life,” replied Jack. “And she—does she care for you?” “She loves me with all her heart—with all her which he could see ask scanning him —— a A i ; tz] 4 t 38 ge | 4s it j : f ae + Fe of ga § 19 “Adios, young senor,” said the leader, with an jronical bow. “I fear your stay here will be longer than was intended for the treasure has sloasd our first search, One of my men will sup- ply you with food, and you will see us again to- morrow morning. ,Your captivity will continue till we find the treasure, for on that we depend, Mercedes will miss you, but that is unavoidable. I will assure her that you are perfectly safe, and that your absence is necessary to my safety and that of the band. She knows me and will not dare complain. Buenos noches.” CHAPTER XV.—The Treasure of San Pedro. We will not attempt to analyze Jack’s thoughts as he stood bound and helpless in the vaults of the church of San Pedro, At length utter weari- ness overcome him and he fell into a deep sleep, from which he was aroused some hours later by Pedro and Sanchez, who had brought a supply of food and wine to him, His right arm was re- leased and he was told to hel elf.. He did not turn down the invitation for he was hungry. When Jack finished his meal the men rebound his arm and went away, telling him they would re- turn after dark with his dinner. As time elapsed, at a rate he had no idea of, his thoughts were divided alternately between Mercedes and the treasure. He thought most of the girl, for she was a definite object, while the treasure was rather problematical. The slab was lifted and the two bandits reappeared with a basket full of food for the prisoner. They were unaware that in spite of all their precautions they had been seen by no less a person than Mercedes. The girl had been informed that Jack Redwood had been temporarily dealt with for the good of those concerned, and would not eo aoe at the hacienda for several days at least. ere Was a scene between her and her informant, from which she retired went to her room and stayed there the greater part of the day. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, and then a look of determination came over her face. ‘ She called her maid and had a talk with her. The result of this was that just at dark a figure some- what resembling the maid, but which was Mer- cedes herself, left the house and took its way to the church. On the way she a 8 at the mon- astery and secured the key of the postern gate which would admit her to the church gardens. She entered the church and retired to a corner, In a short time she saw Pedro and Sanchez come in with the basket of provisions, raise the slab communicating with the vaults and go down. , Hardly had they disappeared when she glided across to the opening and listened. She heard voices below at a distance. Though feeling the usual dread, love con d fear and she de- scended. With Pedro’s lantern to guide her steps she went pg De gies to a point where she could see Jack ind to the pillar. There she re-- mained while the boy ate his dinner, turning over” in her mind the best plan to adopt to Sanche» had just replaced the plates in the apd Pedro was reaching for the lantes# sex she made a sudden dash forw =

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20 “Pedro, I order you to——” That was as far as she got for her words were drowned by a yell of terror from Sanchez. He dropped the basket aud fled like a demented man. Pedro, startled beyond measure, followed him in a hurry. Both scurried up the steps, Pedro paus- ing oniy long enough to close the slab, thus shut- ting the senorita in with her lover. “Oh, Jack, Jack—mi alma! (my soul),” she eried, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissing him. “Mercedes!” exclaimed the astonished boy. “You here!” “Si, si. I am come to save you.” “My darling! How brave of you! knife to cut me free?” “{ have my dagger,” drawing it from her bosom. In a minute or so Jack was free. “Now let us go,” she said. Jack picked up the lantern and led the way to the stairs, Mercedes clinging to his arm. When they reached them the darkness above showed that the stone was in its place, and their retreat cut off. “Ave Maria!” cried Mercedes. “We are shut Have you a “Never mind, love. Your father will come for you as soon as those rascals report to him their a#care, and he misses you.” “They report to him! They know better.” “Know better! Are they not his men?” “His men! Never! He would scorn to——” “What! Is not your father the Crimson Mask?” “He the Crimson Mask! Oh, heavens! Why @o you think that? No, no, he is not.” “No!” eried Jack, with a thrill of joy. “Then who is the Crimson Mask?” “It is my unele. My father’s twin brother— Luis Castilano.” ; “And I thought it was your father. Forgive me, love.” “You are forgiven.” Jack led her toward the southwest corner of the vaults. = “Your uncle is searching for the treasure of San: Pedro which is somewhere here if his informa- tion is correct,” said Jack, striking the blank wall with his hand, There was a loud click and a section of the wall fell away in the shape of a secret door, “Eureka!” cried the astonished boy, drawing the girl into the hidden chamber. In their excitement they did not notice the door closing on its hinges. The room was filled With shelves, and these were covered with silver images, church vessels, and ornaments; also a large dinner service of plate. Around on the floor were stacked pile on pile of silver ingots, weigh- ing probably ten pounds each, and all of one > There were hundreds of them, all of a brilliant white color. As Jack on the contents of the room there was no doubt in his mind that he had discovered the treasure of San Pedro. We will not dwell on their surprise and pleasure. For the moment their peculiar position was forgotten. “Your unele must not get hold of this. It is ya right of discovery, Mercedes,” said Jack. 7 to begin life on and be happy.” : “age: Se ha he ey SRT a aii te THE CRIMSON MASK shut and called his attention to the fact. Things begax to look dubious until Jack noticed a door in the corner. This let them into a nar:ow tunnel through which Jack led the way. After travers- ing a considerable distance they came to a blank wall which barred further progress. But the lan- tern light revealed a brass knob, which Jack pushed and a smal] door opened through which they passed. As it was closing of itself the boy shoved the piece of steel he had under it so that it stood a little ajar. They now found themselves in the cellar of the monastery, with a flight of steps before-them. Ascending them they came into the kitchen, which was untenanted. A door let them out in the courtyard. They hurried to the postern gate, and Jack opened it without difii- culty. Fifteen minutes later they entered the hacienda where they found the Don in a stew over the unexplained absence of his daughter. “I found him, father,” said Mercedes, “and he knows our secret.” The Don appeared quite overcome. “You will be silent, for my little girl’s sake, will you not?” he said. “On my word of honor,” replied Jack. “I make no condition to you, but your brother must leave the country, or the arm of the law will surely reach him. “He intends to as soon——” “As he finds the treasure. That he never will, for Mercedes and I have found it, and we shall take means to hold on to it.” . Jack told the Don how they came upon the treasure. “The padres will not allow you to take it away,” said the Don. ps “On condition. that they will I shall hand over to them everything but the ore ingots—thus they will recover all the church property through me and Mercedes, and [ think we are entitled to our terms,” said Jack. -Next morning Jack and Don Sastilano visited the monastery and secured an interview with the padre. Through the Don’s influence an agreement was effected by which the silver ingots came into Jack’s possession, and the rest of the treasure went to the church. That afternoon Jack saw Luis Castilano for the first time without his mask. He was the living image of the Don. At that in- terview he agreed to leave Mexico at once and send his men adrift after a division of the spoils, Reader, I am done, for all that remains to tell is that three months later Jack was married to Mercedes in the church of San Pedro, with Bob as best man, and Clara as bridesmaid, and with his marriage the young American retired from the employ of Pickering & Co, and settled down at the hacienda, with his lovely wife to enjoy life on the proceeds of the Treasure of San Pedro. Next week’s issue will contain “FRANK FISK, THE BOY BROKER; O WORKING THE WALL STREET STOCK MA hg “Moving Picture Stories,” No. 308, contains an article entitled “HOW TO BECOME A MOVIE ACTOR.” Buyacopy. Price 7 cents; postage free, HARRY E. WOLFF, 166 W. 23d St. N. ¥, Pr Bits RD ew

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a Ce Tae - DRANK A LOT OF BUTTERMILK TO GAIN WEIGHT o “l've heard of a tin soldier and a chocolate sol- -- dier for some years,” said Sergt. Taylor of the local recruiting station, Salina, Kan., “but I never heard of a buttermilk soldier until the other day. - He looked pretty good to me and he is now in Uncle Sam’s army.” i been trying to get into Harry 0. Winter has the ey for some time, but was always too light. ee tae “rs “He be drinking buttermilk, He visited the re ae aeaeiny “flies daily. One day the scales showed he had gained a sufficient see et weight to get by the Sergeant with his application. 5 ; "He ‘ilares he drank so much buttermilk, he detested the sight of it, and now he says: “No ‘more buttermilk for me for a long, long time. GEESE WEAR SHOES = There is probably no place in the world where geese are raised more extensively than in Po- jand. Warsaw is the greater center for the ‘trade in these birds, and it is the town of Dvinsk, near which the Russian and German armies have been fighting so furiously of late, that has large- ~ Jy supplied the Warsaw market. Dvinsk, too, is probably the only place in the world where : are The Polish farmer does not send iis bires to market in-coops and by train. That would be a considerable expense. He drives them 5 ks poe ie Tm ite = are first made to walk over a patch of road cov- ered with warm tar, and then over another patch E = MICE AND RABBITS = mice and cottontail rabbits do much harm ra trees and to shrubs, as and farm crops throughout the a <PD ice are seldom seen on account of their ie maeiike } habits, for they live in their own under- ground burrows or in mole runways. The pres- ence of these mice in mole burrows can usually detected by an occasional opening that they sake to the surface from the runway. Pine mice rolific as the meadow mice, but pro- are by their underground habits sometimes become abnormally abundant. ‘is is especially apparent in states where sks and owls, which are enemies of these ro- =, are destroyed. ‘The most practical method of controlling this est is by poisoning. Sweet potatoes cut into all pieces have proved to be the most effective - They are prepared as follows: et I Bait—Cut ‘about the size of large .grapes.. é quarts of these and drain off excess mois. “Slowly sift over them one-eighth ounce of stryc 1e (alkaloid), using a pepper t shaker for the purpose. © ; z z aS fori re not so FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY CURRENT NEWS 21 One or two pieces of the poisoned sweet po- tatoes should be dropped into the tunnels through the natural openings or through openings meade with a stick. A systematic use of this poison in- variably results in an almost complete extermina- tion of pine mice. These pests are also easily trapped, but owing to the extra time and labor required this method does not compare favorably with poisoning. : MASSACHUSETTS’ HISTORIC TREES The part that trees play in the history of a state is Shown by an index table of historic trees now standing in Massachusetts. The table, which was prepared for the New England Historic Ge- nealogical Society, shows the association of trees with historie events extending through important periods since the days of the Pilgrim Fathers. The most famous is the Washington Elm in Cambridge, under which General Washington took command of the little force of patriots that was called the American Army. It has been said that the troops could almost be shéltered under the elm’s 95-feet spread of branches. Other trees mark revolutionary incidents and events, with local, state or national significance, as the places where Washington rested or made an address, or watered his hurses; where La- fayette stopped during his campaign in the pa- triot cause; where revolutionists had their ren- - dezvous; where the Minute Men trained or took stand in actions against the British. The Boxford Elm, a revolutionary “meeting place, was the scene also of the signing of an im- portant treaty in the days of the Indian wars, and under the Eliot Oak at South Natick John Eliot » spread his gospel to the Indians. Famous speeches on abolition by the orators of the time were made among the trees at Island Grove in North Abing- ton from 1846 through the Civil War. A buttonwood tree at Charlemont with a spread of 85 feet is preserved as the plece where the first settlers found shelter while they slept, and the Sheffield Elm was the camping place of the founder of that town and the scene ef the town meetings, long afterward. The Paxton Elm marks the center of the state. The Oakham Oak gave that town its name and was a model for its town seal, and the Avery Oak at Dedham. also the model for the town seal, served as the site of the town’s first reli« gious meeting. The oldest tree in the index is the Endicott Pear Tree at Danversport, planted by John En- _dicott in 1630. The greatest is the Ruge Elm at Framingham, with a spread of 145 feet. The famous “Great Elm” of Boston’s earliest day~ ig no more, but an off-shoot is recognized as Old Elm’s Descendant. The Ancient Oaks, made fa- mous in Longfellows’ “Tales of a Wayside Inn;” Hawthorne’s Grove at Concord, favorite walk of the author; Louisa May Alcott’s Elms, also at Concord, and Oliver Wendell Holmes’s Pine at— Pittsfield, are all treasured for the with those who named them. ae mc and .

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co ty ora orm 22 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY ; Lost On Mt. Erebus = On A Boy Explorer At the South Pole By GASTON GARNE ee (A Serial Story) CHAPTER VIIT.—Rescued from a Crevasse. Rigen ithe onli, te back to the bow, we ran on suppose you forgot it or leap eg RL, There was a good yawl boat come to light, too, when the stern of the ship washed off. I then made up my mind that we three would the - o es a. supposed you wait camp for the in ship, the Was used up.” “Tt been a aie useless wait,” said Joe, who with Madge final load of mer.” “So I reasoned,” said Rucker, “and therefore we struck out on our own hook, But now we pee Somntaes 2 ey eh mind going in com- Ss ag leader. very, e leader?” Madge. “You “5 aad ead, but don't think that 1, for one, will fol! ‘unless are oupye been Bigg Foe polar cruises before this, after the North Pole. 1 was with paris a grevink ese same tted than me ied = ys this pyaar gon od looked so house nudged preagng oe ws whispered the boatswain. “He Se he tareilgs al oe oon We need his knowled: = d, Y’ a aut purtia fiortben . stay together, much to 3 houst Cc d second mate Ord st get maar» Sgerey at least—be the leader of the united force. pe va soe ona sheaze sierat ox me to fell Rocke.” "Be pare with me always. If Mr, Rucker “sare Jom, ata with a and I—can go near the man,” Liga gr A i tea zs started sure. fete ore te the snow and ice, heading ge and we can . affirmed Etna, end’ kaa ixa ts mosh. toward the south and gradually getting higher and higher as they penetrated inland. The cb- servations showed at last a latitude equal to that attained by the expedition which Ben Rucker de- clared he had accomplished. This was over 78 degrees south. The motor = pte had so far done very well, but as they neared the high where the polar volcano Mt. Erebus dominated the desolate land- none: the ice crevasses and snow-covered fissures became so numerous that Ord, Carr, Hawley and or 4 wanted to — Femengee it, or at least to throw off motor. They might save the gasoline for heating purposes, when necessary. But Rucker flew into one of his violent rages. “Before I’ll give up my motor,” he shouted, “Tl take Shouse and Hopper and leave you.” At this time the entire party were contending with a southerly gale that filled the freezing air with snowy particles which stung the face like They had camped under some hummocks of ice in consequence. Most of the seal meat was fray and tea and pemmican constituted the diet. e herself stood the fatigue and rough food remarkably well. The motor and even the sled id well be sp “Leave it to me,” said Hawley to his friends, “When we load up in the mo net pees Ot Se eatables on the dog and pony This was done. The motor was comparatively useless, and Rucker, who insisted on going be- fore, had the two sailors push his sled. The labor attached to this performance pre- vented his noticing how lightly the sled was loaded. Other members of the party took turns. ‘Hour after hour the party plodded on. Rucker, from the leader, became finally the rear guard of the struggling procession. Narrow defiles were threaded, and more than one glacier crossed during the. next few days. Several times one or more of the party would dis- appear down some snow-covered fissure. At one of these cangerene crossings Rucker’s sled, at which he and Hawley were then toiling, suddenly disappeared: ee wae in Ss pelt When the sled wen enka tee arene 2 tes mischance and for it, b call tut gad tiror his Yen'tal Armly Into thee “Rucker’s gone!” he shouted. «“Come back, some of you, and help.” The eee, looking around, saw only ae holding back from the with his 1 - staff braced in fro front again snow. Sosher and the sled had disappeared. “Help him!” cried Madge, running back her- Ord and stopper, who aoe ae eg Mens, eo ore reac e spot, they stat stip on the ice = the boy Round his waist was a rop e connecting him with packet whe was out of ‘sight in the fis- ~ (To be continued) et v crevasse, ; st the rough ice a

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FAME DROWNED IN WHISKY BARREL Joseph Bostick, 30 years old, of Chester, Pa., was drowned in a whisky barrel half filled with water in the yard of his sister’s home. The body was discovered by Charles Trainer, who no- ticed the man’s leg protruding from the barrel. BEES SWARM ON HIS FACE George Berle of Barrington, N. J., got next to | the ways of 10,000 bees, as many of them got ~~ next to him. But he was game and won out. In “an effort to capture a large swarm in the center F. of the town he covered himself with netting and : tried to coax the bees or shoo them into a bar- : rel. The bees did not want to go, and finding - hole in the netting, made haste to swarm on le. Nothing daunted, Berle obtained a sheet made a second attempt, succeeding in hiv- ing the bees in the barrel. ee WIND BLEW CHECK 3 is A check found the other day on the Lewis Yape farm, a mile east of Deerfield, Mich., was blown out of the door of the store of Nutter & Renollet at Renollet, O., last March by the tor- nado which destroved Raab’s Corners. While working in a field Henry Yape noticed the check to a weed. It was drawn vor $233.75 on _ the farmers’ Banking Company of Paulding, O., by John Nutter in favor of Eli Ankney. The _ check has been returned to the Renollet store. _ According to maps, it traveled about 100 miles _ through the air. = SWAT FLIES ON CEILINGS ¢ Flies that take refuge on the ceiling, at night or in cool weather, may be captured without dif- ficulty. The handle is sawed from an old broom, and a tin lid is attached to the end by driving a ww large tack through it into the stick. The tack should be driven firmly to make the lid rest sol- _ idly and prevent leakage. The lid is pect filled with kerosene, and is held for a few seconds "| against the ceiling, directly under the fly. The - insect, becoming more or less stupid with the cold, x will be further stupefied by the fumes of the ~ oil, and will drop into the lid. S YRES-NEW YORK SHIP MAKES ae . RECORD nha eae 3 a ever made uenos = te as ag ‘York, a distance of 6,992 miles, B. was completed on June 7 by the Lamport & Holt liner Vestris, which dropped anchor in Quaran- tine at 3 a. m. and landed her passengers at Pier 9, Brooklyn, in the forenoon. the Lamport & Holt Line, | Buenos Ayres to New York in 19 days 6 AND FORTUNE WEEKLY THE NEWS IN SHORT ARTICLES. WHALE BATTLES SHIP Showing the effects of a desperate fight with a huge sperm whale while ten miles south of Mount Edgecombe, Kruzof Island, near the entrance of Sitka Sound, Alaska, on June 15, the whaling steamer Star II., Capt. L. P. Halls, Gunner G. Earling, reached Eagle Harbor after a success- ful season. While taking one of the big mammals, which members of the crew described as “just like an ocean liner,” the big fellow char the steam- er, damaging the gunwale, second towing chock on the starboard side and bending and crumpling a plate in the bulwarks for a distance of ten feet. The weight of the whale nearly swamped the little steamer. INDIAN CHIEFS IN ADIRONDACKS Chiefs Andrew Gibson and Jesse Lyons, high in the councils of the Iroquois League, made formal preliminary inspection the week of June 12, ¢ the 17,000 acres of the Ga-Wan-Ka section, whi is to be dedicated as a permanent memorial to the League of the Iroquois at Okara Park, near Then- dara, June 26, with all the pomp and circum stances of the high rites of the People of the Long House. In company with Captain H. D. Ovington of New York the chiefs inspected First and Second lakes of the Fulton chain, Lakes Ta-Jek-Ha and Ka-No-Tes on the Raquette Lake line, near Rom- daxe, and from Bald Mountain looked out across the huge tract of forests, mountains, lakes rivers which is to receive formal dedication and christening by. the assembled chiefs of the Great League late this month, when Representative Homer P. Snyder, chairman of the United States Indian Affairs Committee, will be one of the prin- cipal speakers. A portion of Ga-Wan-Ka along Moose River is to be reserved as a hunting camp for the use of warriors and hunters of the Six Nations. The chiefs located the site of the temporary Indian village of wigwams, which is to be erected for the occasion, and tentatively laid out the council circles to be used for the ceremonies. Thursday night a powwow was held at the Seneca reserva- tion for the formulation of plans for the cere- mony. Delegations of chiefs and head matrons from the various reservations of the State, to- west he: never iva men, women and children rom the Onondaga reservation at Syrac Participate in the dedicatory rites. ates Invitations have been sent to Gov. Smith, mem- bers of the Conservation Commission, members of the New York State Indian Commission and various Assemblymen and Senators. It is ex- ted that a number of the members of the nited States Indian Affairs Committee will ac company Representative Snyder. More than thirty square miles of wil are included in the tract to be dedicated, lies in one of the most familiar ens of Adirondacks and includes a dozen e and lakes. The name Ga-Wan-Ka ig Leuois fer

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+ THE HIDDEN WEALTH By COL, RALPH FENTON. “Do you see yonder green isle in the distance?” The one who asked the question was my fel- low traveler, on board a fine steamer plying be- tween New York and the West Indies, and just before sunset a green island came in view, looking most inviting in the haze of the distance. “Yes, it is a pretty spot, and doubtless in olden times was the resort of the Gulf buccaneers.” “Jt has a story since that time, and if you like I will tell it you,” replied Fred Fenton, for such was his name, and he continued to gaze upon the island with a look of interest, as though memories of a strange character were crowding upon him. Seeing that I was waiting for his story, he said, having thrown away his cigar: “Fifteen years ago I was on that island, help- less, and in despair, and the causes that led to it I will tell you of. : “When sixteen years of age I became a middy - jn the royal navy, and about the same time fell desperately in love with a pretty girl, some four years my junior, and whose old father was as proud as he was rich, “and was willing to let daughter and money go for title and name, no matter who might possess the latter qualities in his estimation. : “But the young girl—Alfrida Doane was her name—returned my youthful regard, and when I went to sea we agreed that death alone could part us in the future, and, strange 40 say, when I re- » -»tayned from China seas three years later, we had both remained true to each other, but her father was already looking for a titled individual upon, whom to bestow her hand, and his eyes fell upon my brother, who had just inherited the title and estates through my father’s death. an iisor te be a still lovely and and promi a more lovely wom as = family was poor, my brother, Sir ‘Wilber, was willing to be sacrificed for a handsome heir- ess, and it was between the father and : himself that when the young girl became eighteen, = the exchange of money for rank would take place. i “But to this both Alfrida and objected and a most stormy scene followed between old Banker Doane and myself, he telling me very plainly that I was a mere pauper, with nothing ‘ut my pay and afew hun pounds a year to % live on—a very comfortable sum, I assure you, et though not a fortune. . “AMfake a fortune and you can marry any ~ woman,’ col ee, FS lied. that I would take marry Rifrida, at which he raved a 3 “Tn the navy I felt that I could not make a for- d to and in up to boat- Alfrida was a beautiful maiden, _ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “J would, I think, have soon been in command of a brig, for the company whose véssel I was on seemed to like me; but one day as I sat on the deck, watching the org oe go on board a large clipper ship, a packet between Liverpool and Havana, I sta suddenly at recognizing Bank- er Doane and his daughter. “They were accompanied by his valet and Al- frida’s maid, and it was evident, from their traps and baggage, they were going upon a voyage, and instantly my mind was made up—I would go on the ship too. “To get my luggage together, write my resig- nation and send it in to the owners and then go on board the ship was the work of an hour. “I secured a good statefoom and remained in it until the vessel was dashing down the channel. “Tt was just twilight when I went on deck, and with a beating heart I recognized Alfrida paci the deck and leaning upon her father’s arm, ani I kept aloof until the following day, when I saw her, and alone, for it had come to blow, and the old banker was down in his berth, cursing himself for having been fooled into going on a pleasure voyage to the Indies and America. “T can tell you, my friend, it was a surprise in- deed, and a joyous one, when Alfrida recognized me. “For a long time we talked together, and she told me that it was her father’s intention to re- main away from England about a year, and upon their return home she was to marry my brother Wilber. - “And she added that it would drivé her father wild to find that I was on board, for he had taken to hating me ever since I had told himt I would one day marry his daughter, and match his for- tune with.one équal to his own. “T confess it did not look as though I was going to keep m word, at the rate I had begun, but both Alfrida and myself had hope, and we again pledged our love, and she promised to wait for me for half a century. At length Doane came on deck, pale, ill and impatient, but the sight of me on board cured his seasickness, and he swore like a sailor, and wanted the captain to put back and land me, or Lone and daughter, but the clipper’s comman- er had an inkling of how matters stood and simply enjoyed it. “Well, all went well until we got into these waters, and then one night a hurricane struck us, we were hurled about like a straw, the cap- tain was washed overboard, the first mate had his arm broken, and the next officer losing pres- ence of mind, the crew and passengers called upon me to take the command, which I did, but it was a sinking ship, and I felt that we must take maniac. — to the lifeboats. “J had them got ready and equipped with stores and water, and as they were filled with passengers and crew, I ordered them off, and thus all went well until I attempted to get on board the last boat, and in which was Alfrida and her Sutiver. the-015 mish bawling sabes 9-90 wen ee when a wave snapped the ropes, and I was left alone upon the sinking craft. eS “Tt was a fearful night, and as dark as the crew refused to risk their boat to the ship after me, and unheeded the en-

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treaties of Alfrida and also her father, whose sel- sii Sag for himself alone wanted to have me on “The vessel was sinking fast, there was no other boat for me to take, and I gave myself up for lost, while the old wreck drove through _ . the waters with terrible aoe and then suddenly ran upon the shore with a shock that threw me to the deck. “Yonder island you see is the place where she went ashore, and the waves carried me to the beach, where I was thrown more dead than alive, bet I struggled hard for life, and, reaching a place of safety, sank down to rest. “When I awoke, or revived, for I believe I was unconscious, it was broad daylight, the beach was strewn with wrecks, the sea was still rough, and not a sail was in sight upon the boundless waters. “J gathered the water-soaked food, built me a hut and sat down to wait, having discovered that I was on a comfortable island, where I at least ‘would not starve, although I knew it to be un- “Tt is said a ‘fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind,’ and I found my making daily pilgrim- ages to a lonely spot w ere was a grave, a rude board at its head, and I felt that the only one Eee sort beneath had, like me, been a victim of e sea. “Upon the headboard was cut, wife a knife, and skilfully executed too— e “‘BOB BULWARK, A seaman of the British brig, Bird. * Wrecked on this island Sept. 10th, 18——. Stranger, let his ashes rest in peace.’ idle oe UAB Ge. Lhe ioe o Mh A i t te aid Vay “One right, as I sat gazing out over the moon- — lit poe my eyes caught sight of a small sail, and, watching it closely, I saw that it was stand- _. ding ae en rey sean a the hi upon which was naged to me that so small a er on some other isl- and, and were making their way back to the port. & i anchor close ashore, and running in +2 Sg ea Sune ate the waters well} the crew of two men came on shore, carrying something upon their shoulders, and began to ascend the __¢liff, headixg in my rection. : sought a place of concealment in 5 oth gi the grave, and soon the men as life,” said one of the men, glancing -bo ‘ for, believing me FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY : 25 “And you buried it fifteen years ago?’ “*We did, and there’s enough to make a hun- dred men rich, if it’s there, and I think it is, for the grave hasn’t been touched, it seems.’ “Eagerly I watched the two men throw the earth from the supposed grave, now well knowing that a treasure, and not a human form, lay be- neath, for that one of the men was the last of a pirate crew that had buried it there, I felt con- fident after hearing his words. : “At length the shovel of one struck a hard sub- stance, and a moment after the man addressed as Dick handed up a small keg, and then another, eel another, and all of them were filled with gold. “A large box filled with gold and silver trinke and precious stones followed, until a fortune in; deed lay in the light of the moon, and its glit* tering wealth ‘seemed to craze the man who had > come for the treasure, as springing from the open grave, he turned and brought his shovel down upon the head of his comrade with terrible force, crying out: “ ‘Fool, die; for did you think I would let any man live and share this fortune with me?” “‘Oh, Dick! burst from the man’s lips, and he sank forward and well into the open pit. “With the frenzy of a madman the murderer shoveled in the dirt upon him, and then began to dance in wild glee. Then was my time to act, and I came from my place of concealment. “With a wild cry he started back, and then seizing the spade, rushed upon me. “Like a madman he fought, biting and scratch- ing like a tiger; but I am a powerful man, and finding he was determined to kill me, wrenched his knife from his hand and drove it into his breast, just as he thrust his left hand into his bo- som for a pistol. “Into the grave I placed his body, and then, almost maddened myself by the gold before me, seized a couple of the kegs, and rushed down to Ce Tae Thad expected ‘oun as expected, unoccupied, and a staunch little craft, and, having gotten my treasure on , set sail from the island, and within a week’s time ran jnto Pensacoal, “Jealous of the secret I had, I was most care- ful, and in small quantities carried it to my ho- tel, where I deposited it in a stout trunk, and, selling bee sloop, started for New York in a et le F “Once there, to wn joy, I learned that Alfrida L another of the boats, had arrived in safety, and, turning my treasure into bank-notes, I purchased a handsome house, in- vested my fortune in the shipping business, and set sail for England, where I arrived just in time; é » Alfri d promised to become the wife of my brother Wilber. “My coming changed the tide of affairs, for she became my bride, and returned with me to the United States, and a happier family than ours I kmow you never saw, and will say so when you visit us, as you have promised, upon your return. “Now, do you wonder that I look at yonder isl- and bf a ee Sexe Daren one ee Rd od upon one, ering and in sorrow, and in th: end found there my fortune?” - — Ber

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26 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, JULY 16, 1920. TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Bingle Copies........-..-+-+ Postage Free.... 07 Cents One Copy Three Months... = ae tt 90 Cents One Copy Six Months...... ~ eee ChIS One Copy One Year....... se wi aee! = ee HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept womge Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid anne the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. Ad- dress letters to HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher 166 West 23d St, New York ITEMS OF INTEREST WILD BOAR PRIZE ENOUGH The French Ministry of Agriculture had a rize of fifty francs for every wild boar weigh- over thirty kilograms that was killed and of ten francs for every _— one It ——~ - drawn this, giving as the reason that, wi meat at sees bias prices, the fiesh of a wild boar ought to be quite sufficient reward for killing it. GIRL 3, STARVES TO DEATH Mystery surrounding the disappearance of the two children of Mr. and Mrs. John Brochak of Osceola Mills, Pa., was solved when Julia, three years old, was found dead from starvation and exhaustion, and Anna, 5, was a raving maniac. Searchers came upon them near the Stine coal mine, two miles from their home, Anna fought her rescuers and tried to get away. She is in the hospital at Phillipsburg. HOUSE IN WHICH GARFIELD DIED DESTROYED BY FIRE : The last of the famous houses associated wi the name of President Garfield disappeared at Long Branch, N. J., June 15, when fire destroyed the shore cottage where the President spent his last days. The blaze is believed to have started from spontaneous combustion. The house was owned by the Fidelity Trust Company. Fred Sells, a New York broker, rented the place re- cently and was to have moved into it. __ After Garfield was shot, in September, 1881, his physician ordered him to have sea air. When he expressed a preference for Long Branch Charles G. F then owner of the cottage, offered its use. Garfield died there, September 19, 1881. -- FAME AND FORTUNE. WEEKLY answers the purpose of two or three. Like the dirk of the old time plainsman, it is equally avail- able as a dagger or as a carving knife. It can also be used as a pair of pincers. It can kill a rat at one blow. The raven can drive its beak right through the spines of a hedghog. It is gaid that the raven will never attack a man. If this be true, it is, it is thought, not so much ‘from any defect of courage as from the bird’s keen intellectual perception of what will pay and what will not. ; Like most of his tribe, the raven is, in the strictest sense of the word, omnivorous. His die- tary ranges from “a worm to a whale.” When his nest is built, as it eft is, be- neath some overhanging rock which quite con- ceals it from view from a , its position may sometimes be discovered by the remains of rabbit neatly laid in the short grass at the top of the cliff in what might be called his “larder.” But a larder implies an amount of economy and self- restraint that it is not in the raven to practise. In districts where food is scarce the ravens will attack without scruple a newly born lamb or even a sheep that has been cast. The raven has a passion for solitude. He will tolerate no rival, not even his own offspring, in the neighborhood of his throne. He drives them rustlessly away as soon as they are able to shift for themselves. LAUGHS Ambitious Author—Hurry! Five -dollars for my latest story, “The Call of the Lure.” Fast Friend—Whom from? Ambitious Author—The express company. They lost it. Mrs, Nexdore—Why won’t you let your Willie play baseball with the other boys? Mrs. Greene - —aA part of the game, I understand, is stealing pees and I’m afraid it might have a bad in- uence. “Oh, what. a shame! I am inexpressibly shock- ed to hear it. And how soon after your marriage did he begin to display the cloven hoof?” “Why, at just about the same time he began to cultivate the cloven breath.” This is a quotation from a Connecticut woman’s diary, dated 1790: “We had roast pork for din- ner, and Doctor S., who carved, held up a rib on his fork and said: ‘Here, ladies, is what Mother Eve was made of.’ ‘Yes,’ said Sister Patty, ‘and it’s from very much the same kind of critter.’” In the midst of a wintry wood a traveler in a sledge fled before a pack of famished wolves. Ag could feel their hot breath on his “It’s time!” drew his sword, struck off his left arm, and threw it to the howl- ing, hungry beasts. But only to gain thereby a temporary respite. In a few moments they were upon him once more, whereat he drew his sword tng = time, struck off his right arm, and threw t ou -

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USE SEAPLANES TO HUNT WHALES Business men at Aalesund, north of Bergen, Norway, intend during the coming summer to use seaplanes for seal and whale a in Den- mark Strait, between Iceland and Greenland, says the National Tidende. The first machines will probably be sent up in a week or so. as a eu] ed ie od ad Bi i hai a LINCOLN’S ONLY FARM A stone’s throw from the Lincoln Highway anda few miles out of Denison, Ia., lies the only piece of ground Abraham Lincoln ever owned. It is rather —— farm as Iowa farms go, for it is rough and illy, good only for stock feeding. It is hard to find and he who seeks it must wander around in the hills out of Denison before he locates it, The farm was deeded to Lincoln for his services in the _ Blackhawk War and though he never lived on it there is reason to believe that he was planning, when public life was over, to retire to his Iowa _ farm and spend the remainder of his days there - mear the road which now bears his name. METEOR FALLS IN OKLAHQMA ' Geologists will study the huge meteor which fell and burned itself out near Okmulgee, Okla., the other night after lighting the skies over sev- eral southwestern States, Hundreds of persons - in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma __ ‘watched the meteor’s flight, reports received here > said. Scores of motor cars clogged the roads to where the burning mass fell. Considerable apprehension among the people living near Fort Smith, Ark., was caused. They thought the meteor fell near Red Oak, Okla., about 25 miles distant. A number of persons in _ automobiles went from Wilburton, Okla., and __ nearby towns to Red Oak to give aid. * Tulsa, Okla., reported that when the meteor passed over that city it appeared to be within a : : hundred yards of the earth and that the lower and heavier portion, of a greenish blue color, was a lo wedge-shaped tail. As it the report oe. oe ga - yemained together as a mass. uring the few seconds of the fall the southern sky was lighted with a blue-green e "C. B. Smith, an astronomic authority at Mus- kogee, said he believed the meteor was thrown off - from a destroyed planet between Jupiter and _ Mars, as it appeared to travel from west to east. KOH-LNOOR STORY INCOMPLETE of the Koh-i-noor, or, fh ha | ‘it ee diamon' of its history has ever it extend back into the writes Eleanor Maddock in of the strangest things about be lost to the world indefin- ed and red up in a wall its former owner rown away r FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY A FEW GOOD ITEMS as a bit of glass and once went to the laund the pocket of an Englishman’s linen suit. == z This matchless gem is called in India the Mountain of Light” and the “Talisman of Kings; the latter because it ‘was said to bring sovereignty to its possessor. Strangely enough after it fell into the hands of a Turkish slave of illegitimate origin, a line known as the “Slave Kings sat on the throne of Delhi for eighty years, during which period the desire to possess the talisman amounted to a frenzied obsession. amy = Se vite i gy Perma? possession chaos of slaughter that brough pe e an ent in 1290. ie e Koh-i-noor later scintillated with - shed through the reign of Shah Recipe his son Aurangzeb, who exhibited it to a num- ber of Europeans whom he was entertaining at his court. Among them was Tavernier the French jeweler, who later wrote a descriptive Ac- count of it for the delectation of Europe. After being tossed like a shuttlecock in the Delhi Icot and remaining for a period of years with the Sikhs in the Punjab, this most celebrated dia- — in the = a on a purple velvet cushion among England’s crown jewels, i grim old Tower of London. : : ———————__ SS “THE WAY TO BECOME A MOVING PIC- TURE ACTRESS” is in “Moving Picture Stories,” No. 326. Get a copy. Price 7 cents; postage free. HARRY E. WOLFF, 166 W. 23rd St.. N. Y. ————————————— “MYSTERY MAGAZINE” SEMI-MONTELY 10 CENTS A COPY — LATEST ISSUES —— 53 THE BLACKJACK, by Wm. Hamilton Osborne 51 THE WHISPERING HEAD, by Chas. ¥. Oursie &3 HE INSPECTOR'S STRANGE CASE. by Beulah Poynter. 56 THE SECRET OF THE SEALED BOOK, by Ethel a? THE CLUE OF STEEL, by W 7 35 STEEL, by Willis La $8 ALIAS LOUIS VARDON, by Wiltees Hamties $9 MYSTERY OF THE {Sin OLD TIME CLUB, by Caroline 60 CAUGHT WITH THE EVIDENCE, by Ethel Rose- mon. 61 A LITTLE GOLD SPIDER, b lelg 2 THE VELVED "TOUCH. oy Sg ire 5 LUE OF THE RED LAMP, by Charies Fut- The Famous Detective Story Out To-day in No. 64 19 “THE SCHEME OF SOLOMON SNARE” By William Hamilton Osborne FRANE TOUSEY, Pub., 168 W. 23d St; N. Y. a “MOVING PICTURE STORIES” ~— A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Photoplays and Players PRICE SEVEN CENTS PER COPY Each number contains Four Stories of Best Fi on the Screens-—Elecant Half-tone ae. pay a“ Plays—Interesting Articles About Prominent Peopie in the Films—Doings of Actors and Actresses in the Studios and Lessons in Scenario Writing.

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SHE WAS OBESE The shadow on this picture gives you an idea how she looked and felt. By taking Ol! of Korein and following the easy directions she re- duced 38 pounds in three months. Now she is agile, attractive, mentally alert and in better health. Reliable anti-fat self- at the drug. store. Oil Many women have reduced easily, lastingly, 10 to 60 nds, Safe and pleasant method, endorsed by physicians. For free book of adg- vice (in plain wrapper) write to Korein Co., NH-1 Station F. New York City. Show this to friends. HOWTO MAKE LOVE A FLW GOOD ITEMS A QUSER SAPPHIRE There is exhibited in the National Museum at Washington a sapphire weighing nine karats, which contains a bubble that appears and disappears with changes of temperature, It is believed that a cavity in the gem incloses a quantity of carbonic acid gas under great pressure. When the tempera- ture is such as to correspond with the “critical point” for that Fas under the particular pressure to which it is sub- jected in its brilliant prison house, it liquefies and becomes visible as a bubble. QUICKSILVER DEPOSITS IN ARIZONA The present exceptional demand for quicksilver in the your} manufacture of fulminate gives the domestic deposits of this metal particular interest. Deposits recently discovered ells} in the southern part of the Phoenix Mountains, ten miles northeast of Phoenix, Ariz., are described in a short paper Cozm, ere by F. C. Schrader, just published by the United WARNING ia Saving your hewsls, vosuler do aot become to tives or, mineral laxative: Just uy “KOROLAX: goes including constipation, hea yea gas, heartburn, torp!id liver, bad nervousness, dyspepsia, tion, obesity, mental and physical’ dullanes: SORENESS HEALED) Sore or open legs, ulcers, enlarged 5, eczema while you work. Write for free hook and describe your own case. 1. GC. Liepe, 1457 Green Bay Av., Milwaukee, Wis. BELIEVED DEAD Forty-four years ago Frank Hamp left Swanton, O., for the West, going to Kansas. A short time afterward word was received that he was dead, - and relatives gave up hopes of seeing him again. He dropped into Swanton one day recently, inquired about himself, and finally made himself known to his aged mother and other relatives. He is now wealthy, owning a ranch con- sisting of four sections. _ One or two letters came from Hamp to his mother after he left for Kan- sas. Then a report came that he, with other white men, had been captured by Indians, tortured and killed. ; Hamp kept pushing West with the early settlers, and bettered himself at each change. Only once did he see a person from this vicinity, and then he » tates Geological Survey. The deposits are easy of access, and, being near the rich agricultural region of Salt River Valley, are otherwise favorably situated for mining. They are being exploited on six or more properties or groups of claims, which lie in a belt, about three miles wide. BRITISH DEVELOPMENT OF MESOPOTAMIA In spite of war conditions this year’s harvest in ogee tamia is expected to be the greatest in many years. e British are reported to have dug out more than 100 canals formerly used for irrigation purposes in connection with the River Euphrates but disused for many years. Some 320,000 acres have been brought afresh under cultivation, Since the British occupation Bagdad is full of life; con- struction work is being carried on early and late and thou- sands of workmen are repaving the streets and installing electric light and sanitation. A fire brigade and a police force have been organized. The supply of pure water is assured, the water pipes being constantly extended. Many other improvements have been inaugurated. And so ancient ruins blossom forth most modernly. GUM STOPS GAS LEAK When it comes to resourcefulness leave it to Mrs. Ernest Byfield and Miss Elaine V. Rosenthal, embryo motor mechanics who ‘are fitting themselves for service in the Motor Supply Corps, Chicago, Ill. A little thing like a gas tank leak is nothing to them, even if it does happen way out on a country road. So when they = motoring along and had to stop because of it, © Mrs. Byfield suggested that chewing gum would stop the leak, since they had nothing better. It did, but they had to chew 110 sticks, which they purchased at a nearby store to get the desired effect. Yes, they could still talk and tell about it when they goteback despite the stiffness of their jaws. A VALUABLE PIPE The Shah of Persia possesses, perhaps, the most valuable pipe in the world. It is the Persian pipe, and is smoked only on state occasions.’ It is set with rubies and diamonds, and is valued at $100,000. When the Shah is not using the pipe it is kept in a glass case and carefully guarded by a high court official, whose duties, we learn from a Paris con- temporary, are as little onerous as those of the director of an arsenal. The reason for keeping the pipe so closely guarded, and in a case, is that some years ago a grand vizer wag surprised in the act of removing some of the stones with the point of his poniard, What happened to the grand vizier we are not told. . : Se oe

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> Pam. Ia Wace Ph 5 ; possibility HOPE OF A NEW POWER One of those tremendously im- rtant little items which get buried in the news pages _be- cause oO their briefness, but which really de- serve flaming headlines, was that Italy’s most famous. chemist has announced the discovery of a cheap method for obtaining “li- quid hydrogen” — that is, hydrogen gas jn a liquid orm. The importance of this discovery, which, because of the standing of its author, may be assumed to be authentic, is that it opens up the and carries the hope of producing a new and _ practi- cally unlimited source of liquid fuel for internal combustion e-n- ees. of the mo- More- over, a is a tre- - mendously power fvel. Liquid h gen, motor cylind is doabts driving an aver- e aabumobile all of 250 miles Brant gallon. More this, since — in com- two-thirds of all the water of the globe, the aie of supply inexhaustible. = the cost of = Sa gas reducing it cg a form in Which it could be has stood in the way of its “use as a fuel. The component of water em Sack BEV Ati ee RD Satie an wath — AS Mica land Rabe RNa SE AIS, Bou Si eee Ra onl AE STOR A I A er hace Spee Pl CS Det sie tn. EE tare Ph Ec cs RN NEY BO ba bec UE nS ARS ee Te eA RE ES Le | Wonderful Victory Over Baldness HAIR GROWN ON MR. BRITTAIN’S BALD HEAD BY INDIAN’S MYSTERIOUS OINTMENT Now has Prolific Hair and Will Give True Recipe Free; it is Scientifically Verified My head at the top and back was abso- lutely bald, The scalp was shiny. An ex- pert said that as he thought the hair roots were extinct, and there was no hope of my ever haying a new bair growth. Yet, now, at the age of 66, I have a luxuri- ant growth of soft, strong, lustrous hair! No trace of baldness. Indians’ Secret of Hair Growth At a thme when IT had become discouraged at trying various hatr lotions, tonics, special- ists’ treatments, ae I came across, in my travels, a Cherokee Indian “medicine man” who had an elixir that he guaranteed would grow my hatr. Ithough I had no fath, I ave it a trial. To my amazement, a light , ies soon appeared. It developed, day by day, into a regular healthy growth and ere long my hair Was as prolific as in my youth- ful days. That I was amazed and happy 1s express- ing my state of mind mildly. Hair Grew Luxuriantly. Obviously, the hair roots had not been dead, but were dormant in the scalp, awatt- ing ao fertilizing potency of the mysterious poma It became my sudden determination to pos- sess the recipe or secret if I could. Havin f used my most persuasive arguments whic convinced the aged savant of my sincerity, and that he had only fairness to expect from a = i ine hie in recipe by g hima change. I Put the Secret Away My regular business took all my time, however, and I was compelled to forego my Jans to introduce the wonderful ko-tal-ko Pevhich I call for short niko} and I put was permanent the secret aside for some That my own hair-growt. s been amply proveD. ues ieee scien “how eo. WARD PUB. CO. “TILTON, N. chewing Jesaness, 2%, belching, gnawing or other uncom- fortable sonsstion in stomach: constipation, head- ag throat maesrin tne Feveret helpful to levers. 25C — . TOBACCO. HABIT Woy: hat hs ere mila, ee Sin emo Bog ing. For either sex. Overcome that peculiar nerv- ousnessaud craving for cigarettes, elgara, pipe, tebacco or snuff, Tobacocois polsonous and pon te inlaxes the health in several ways, causing such disorders as nervous dyspepsia, sleep- My honest belief is that hair roots rarely die, even. when the hair falls out through dandruff, fever, excessive dryness or other disorders. I am convinced, and am sure, many scientists will agree, that the hair roots become imbedded within the scalp, cov- ered by bard skin,” so that they «are like bulbs or seeds in a-bottle which will grow when fertilized: Shampoos (which contain alkalis) and hair lotions which contain ai- coho!) are enemiés to the hair, as they dry it, making it brittle, The Secret Now Revealed Recently I was induced, white on a bust- ness trip to London, to intreduee kotalko, the Indian hair elixir. It met with an dm- mediate demand, and has since been intro- duced throughout England and France, where, despite the war, it is having a great sale. Its popularity comes chicfly from tha voluntary endorsements -of users. Many persons—men, women and children—are rc- porting new hair growth. Some cases wer? really more extraordinary than my own.. For instance, a lady reported that. kotalko grew a beautiful eupply of blonde hair (her nat- ural shade) after her head had been com- pletely bald since a fever nine years ‘pre- Howls, and she had worn a wig ever since. A military officer bad a bald spot which had been growing larger for some time. Within a few weeks it was completely cov- ered. I could mention numerous examples. Now, having made arrangements here, I in- tend to supply kotalko according to the genuine Indian’s formula to whomsoever wishes to obtain it. Ten cents will bring testing box to you. Recipe Given Free The recipe I shall be pleased to mail free, Address: John ag: Brittain, BH-103, Sta- tion F, New York, N. Y. Or I will mat} the recipe with a testing box 6f kotalko for 10 cents, silver or r_stamps. » FLITE fing FOR LADIES FREE "CONQUERED IN 3 DAYS continue to commit suicide when youecan live a really contented life if you only get your body and nerves right? It is umsafe and torturing to atiem: ptto rid yourself of habit by suddenly raop ping with Laine power—don't do it. Correct method is to eliminate the nicotine mi pelscn from system, strengthen the weakened. membranes and nerves and genuinely overcome the craving. i you like to quickly and easily quit tobacco and enjoy yourseif ache, weak eyes, loss of vigor,red spots on | a thousand times better while feel- ‘Irritation, catarrh, asthma, | ing alwars in rebust bealth? Mr bronchitis, heart failure. lung trouble, mel- FREE book tells al! about the won- ee S dnys oy te Ls : aacholy, peurasthenta, im: poisoned) blood, heartburn, to: (rreathn;lnestrude, Lack of am of am bition, weaken agape event ragga wn eminent medical men, ~ TG 103, memory and will, id liver, —- of Konpetite, le, Also Seeret Method abe rs eet ly mg mh, on BnaffHabitmailedin piais wrepperfree. 4 = Station 6, New Vork, N. Ve iz outof

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NEW THINGS. Railroad build- 2rs in South Af- rica have enabled work to be done - at night by equipping a freight car with an electric plant and mounting _bearchlights on ®*projecting arms. The original home and labor- atory ef Joseph Priestley, who discovered Oxy n in 1774, will erected on the campus of Penn- sylvania State College as a me- morial to him. Gasoline cars on an Australian railway have wedge - shaped ends, it having been found that the air resistance to the old ears caused e use of 40 per cent. more fuel. Designed for rages is a new ail to contain two ene- micals in sepa- rate compart- ments, which, thrown on an oil unite and form a flame smothering foam. The rear end of an automobile locker of English invention is made of ground glass, on which a car’s number can be painted and rang ge at night Paid - lamp inside the locker. Peru has esta- blished -a school of military avia- tion and has pur-. chased twelve SYS nee ee sree EITTLE ADS Write to Riker & King, Advertising Offices, 118 East 28th Street, New York City, or 8 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, for particulars about advertising in this magazine. AIDS TO EFFICIENCY PERSONAL IF YOU WISH a pretty and wealthy wife, “write me enclosing a stem envelope and I will answer. , | Lillian Sproul, Station H, Cleveland, 0, LONELY MAIDEN, 26, would ture. Box 150K, Syracuse, NY baoae MARRY. Most successful “Home Maker.” Hundreds rich. Confidential, reliable, years’ experience, descrip- bred = “The Successful Club,” Box 556, Oak- BT a et SS SS Se ee MARRY RICH, hundreds anxious, descriptive list free A ey ang earl Select Ciub, Dept. A, hapa ——— bap aks gps en he eocee OF nose Egypulan secrets lack art, ot! books, italog free. tar Book Co,, B720, Caméen, ‘N. J. WORDS FOR A SONG. We revise ~ AGEN TS DON’T GO THIRSTY: ‘Try my punches, Port, Black- berry, Grape, Cherry, Orange, Claret, Bottle makes thirty glasses. Delicious beverage 50 cts. Agents wanted. Hamilton Mfg., Barnes City, Iowa. AGENTS—To travel by automobile introducing our big line of fast summer sellers. Tho greatest line on earth. Make $10 a day easy, Complete outfit and automobile furnished to workers. Write at once for exclusive territory. American Products Co., 2365 Amer- tcan Building, Cincinnati, Ohio. AGENTS. Learn about the profits supplying perfume to families by addressing Leffler & Co., 762 Walton, Bt. Louis, Mo. ART AND DEN PICTURES —— ART PHOTOS—Beautiful Models in artistic Send 10 cts. for miniature sheet and price list. poe United Sales Co., Springfield, I. SHER. s PARDEE oe does_ real enn wiggle, sealed 25 ton Mfz., Barnes City, Iowa. th = wis a Seems on any B a Building, New York. RRY: Thousands congenial , Worth from MET O00 ‘to $90,000 seeking — descripti MARRY: Names, Addresses, ladies and gentlemen desir- Sweetheart’s REAL SHOTOORAP HE. gure to please. Send 25 cts. Magazine, Hamiiton Company, Barnes City, Iowa. Bares Cig, ey hss, \ DEABSY pict pictures 5 Desution 25 cts.; sixteen $1; GET MARRIED—Dest Matrimonial Marasine bs Tefunded if dissatisfied. Roseleaf, St, Louis. Mo, Mailed FREE. eh wort from § a upward want to ge ther sex, ae FOR SALE Suite 217, Blatterilie Pa. ILK REMRA Taraent packause yet offered: Gault | ARRY—F REE PHOTOS beautiful, ladies; descriptions and directory; when married. New Plan Co., Dept. 245, Kansas ig ae Mo. MARRY, m rich. Particulars fer stamp. Mrs. Mor- rison, 3088 W. Holden St., Seattle, Wash. HELP WANTED go Begin and MEN, too, to address taall advertising matter at home for mail spare or whole time. Can make $10 to $35. wily. No capital or experience required explains } send 10 cts, to cover postage, a Ward Pub, Co., Tiiton, N. H. dg SEnvIO€ OPERATIVES AP ee Mrs. Cappel, Box 115, Oakland, Cal. WOULD YOU LIKE A WONDERFUL LITTLE basa! Write! Boaniet enyelope or no reply, Santee, 749, Chicago, Ill Huy MARRY. Pit pee oie cS people; all os; irae $5,000 $400,000; anxious for oe peg Ralph Hyde, B2 Minna St,, San 1 Francisco, Caltt, BE A DETECTIVE. women SCIENTIFIC tigation in your district. Write OC. T. tudwig, 521 Wes Bldg. Ka . , ery Lee STORY in ag Pag sa dats and og . Un- | YOUR LIFE STORY in the stars. Send birth date and dime for trial reading. “Dak, Tra limited advancement. No age limit, Sherman, Bapid City, 8. BEE Te Tee Beene lke Waite Bemis | ASTROLOGICAL READING, given with Ker, to Health, wor! x BALESMEN—CITY OR TRAVELING Eiperi Te | ee ee v ence un- nécessary, Send for list of lines and full particulars. SONGWRITERS * in spare time to earn the big salaries—$2,500| YOU WRITE WORDS FOR A oon 'e write the to $10,000 a year. Employment services rendpred mem- ae ae and secure a bers. National Salesman's Training ‘Associa in, Dept. sub, een inatos, og 166H, Chicago, Ill. Sfiohtean. ae Room 1 : EOUS WRITE THE WORDS FOR A song. o write WRITE THE WORDS FOR A SONG. Ws revise poems peislotinne Jove OF any gubies, Chester Muse Ga, O90 to secure publication. Sub. Sub- mit poems on any subject, Broadway Studios, 16: Fitzgerald pullding, New York. : a ELECTRICAL Sationtng Machine, $3, $5 an T. Cata- sores for stamp. He Geuite, 1019 1019 ie, i, Cin. SWEETHEARTS FISH LURE— Tits Ph Bite Like Hungry Wolves. Box, 25 cts.; Five, $1.00. Hamilton City, Towa. BOOKS AND PHOTOS—Catalog FREE. United Bales Company, Springfleld, In. weeny 500 ea cts, to introd pire Supply Oo. ee Pawtucket, HR, T. - 100 FOREIGN STAMPS 0) i “DIME, oa ‘Stam; Co,, 1385 Norwell St, Dorches 21 x MAL ‘PRAYER; .1 cards; ten, 1) So. Michigan Avs., Rulte 249, % WRITE A -SONG—Love, Mother, Home, er patriotic or any subject. I ‘compose Taus!e guarantee publication. Send words Merlin, 208 Reaper Block, Chicago, » WRITE THE WORDS FOR A SONG. publ lica! Bub- write music and guarantee to ee ear. mit poems on any su! Fitzgerald Building, New York. YOU WRITE THE ORD ts Bs A SONG, we'll com- Cac the me’ jody Lenox Company, 125th ee ee we ak ERESTING va Se; ity, 250; catalogue Bhode = "Dur, De a8 , ‘ x : : , =

Page 33

STAMMERING ST-STU-T-T-TERING and stammering cured at home. Instructive booklet free. Walter McDonnell, 15 Potomac Bank Bidg., Washington, D. C, STRONG, CLEAR VOICE FOR YOU by this new in- expensive Anti-Stammering and Voice Perfecting Method. Send 50 cts. for complete instructions by which you will succeed. E. M. Jarvis, Box 1381, Salt Lake City, Utah TOBACCO HABIT TOBACCO or Snuff Habit cured or no pay. cured. Remedy sent on trial. Superba C€o., Baltimore, Md. TOBACCO KILLS MANLY VIGOR. Quit habit easily. Any form, chewing, smoking or snuff, cured or no charge. If cured, $1. aE craving, harmless, Full Femedy on t trial. _Perkins Co., Co., _B- 51 Hastings, _ Nebr. ~ STOUT LADY! How to Reduce Your Weight Get rid of that burden of obesity this bay A season. Become lithe and active. Stop suffering from over-stout- ness. You may even eat ice cream, cake and candy if you like. Enjoy yourself while getting thin by korein System—approved by physicians. = Clarence Vash reports that she ; reduced her weight thirty-five pounds : in six weeks by using oil of korein. cS Many other reports made by delighted e women, who were unable to get rid of ; their burden of fat until they adopted the new method. Get a small box of oil of korein, in capsules, at any drug store; follow the : plain directions of korein system, Guar- antee of reduction or money back. Nothing drastic or harmful—a safe self- treatment that has improved the figure, vivacity, beauty and health of legions of ladies. For protruding hips, unduly large neck or bust, double chin, per. y abdomen, etc., this simple, remarkably effective reduction system should be tried. A book, ‘‘Reduce Weight Hap- pily,’’ may be had free, postpaid (plain wrapper), by writing to Korein Com- ‘pany, NF-601,Stat -601, Station F, New York, N.Y. F, New York, N. Y. — TOBACLO Or SNUFF HABIT Cured or No PAY No matter whether used in pipe, cigarette, rs, chewed, or used in the form of snuff. +s Superba Tobacco Remedy contains nothing z= injurious. no dope, poisons, or habit form- ing drugs. Guaranteed. Sent on trial. If it cures costs you one dollar. If it fails, or if you are not perfectly satisfied, costs you nothing. Write for fuli remedy today. SUPERBA COMPANY, M21 Baltimore, Md. OLD COINS WANTED ie ae $500 EACH paid cea Hundreds of : ns dated before 1895, Keep ALL old Money. You may have Coins worth a Large Premium. Send 10c. for new Illustrated Coin Value Book, size 4x@ Get Posted at Once. COIN CO., Bex 35, Le Rey, N. ¥. r REMARK- ABLE WELI One of the most remarkable d sizes in the famous ine "ae | RANGER” bicycles. We pay the freight from oe 7 to eg teene! allowe: 30 saat Free Trial ons fi ’ wh — Aan Bn riding t desir: a a A Small Y pave over our ae Bi LAMPS, Batts. als, tor all mikes of nd } il makes of bicycles at i usual ae sz nig dd @ write today for tae big n fi EAD CYCLE COMPAN. Depjj.ig3; CHICAG HOW, JAZZ "EM UP, Boys ANEW AND NIFTY INVENTION foe Flate-Precola: a. played Sed Inches 250 AGENTS WANTED STEWART CO., 321K W.. 48th St.. N. ¥. O or te? jp Oo NA ANalee et SLAXO. TRICK c Deor.S New Nave ge = He | REAL PHONOGRAPH Beautifull crank, spring ne ood ‘stop lever, Wow imi bex riteregiugitne ‘ i ao rect pradued ions of a! nds UF mausie. RVELOUB ‘Wackine in eve verge Delight- thousands of homes Send NO MO [3 4 Justyour name,and we wil send you#4 of our Art Pictures to ss of on special offer at 250 Send us the $6 you collect D and we vu ond this mw im ~ proved E. jonograph ani Ly 6 records free, selection &. D. LIFE,Dopt. 5146 Chieago GET ON THE ‘ sayy ieltege on haw! petiaea gaasoa. het pasion. Big eal- 5 a always pea? Saeed ees “ Wise saat a tbat Var deville, Sree | : FREDERIO LADELLE, dia.214,JACrSON. MICH. | BIG i WALUE for.10 Cts. 6 Songs, words amd music; 25 Pic- tures Pretty Girls ;40 Waysto Make Money; 1 Joke Book; 1 Book o Love;1 Magic Bock; 1 Book Letter Writing; 1 Dream ‘Book and or tune Telier; 1 Cook Book; 1 Base Ball Book, gives zylee for games. Toy Maker Boo Language oe Flowers; 1 Morge Tel ph Alpha- bet; Chemical Magic A Game; 100 STACE riments; Table; Great North Pole Conundrums: 9 Puzzles; /|room of his wells in Oklaho- ma is owned by |J. C. McSpadden, at Tahlequah. iThis well not | only furnishes an ‘abundance of pure water, al- imost ice-cold in the summer time, but it affords a supply of chilled air, which is util- ized for a cooling plant that keeps the McSpadden home cooler on the hottest day than any summer resort within a thousand miles. It is a freak well all around.. When the well was sunk it was for a cis- tern. When about fifty feet deep the bottom broke through, reveal- ing a sort of cay- ern,-in which there was a tre- mendous flow of ice-cold water. Apparently this is an inexhausti- ble supply, for the well was sunk years ago and the well water has re mained at the jsame level ever since. Taking ad- | vantage of the ifreak well’s su ‘ply of cold air, eSpadden seal- ed the top of the iwell with a con- crete cap and laced pipes in it. hrough one ef fine he draws his water supply. | Through the o jers he draws a supply of cold air that is piped through every six- 19 Games; 80 Verses for Autograph Aloums., All} room house, mail 2 as cts. aud 3 cts. ~ Beuth Neorw: ——s ova Aces co.

Page 34

a, ae . ‘ tt nees ACCURATE CLOCKS FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY : : ‘ — LATEST ISSUES — Bees, said to be the most intelligent} 748 Out To Win; or, The Mystery of Safe Deposit Box No. 666. of insects, have a remarkable knowl-| 749 A Wall Street Hero; or, A Winning Tip On the Market. edge of time. Professor Conklin, of ne ene a Fortune; or, The Boy Hero of the Mill. So University of P ylv a ae pal rgd Dick; or, The Boy Who Broke the Wall Street the opinion that bees have also a] %52 On the Job; or, Tom Taylor’s Lucky Venture. powerful memory, which is the rea-| 753 The ern or, The Boys Who Won the Money. son, he asserts, that a bee flying half 764 Will, the Waif; or, From Bootblack to Merchant. a mile away from its hive returns | 755 Prince of the Curb; or, A College Boy in Wall Street. safely to its shelter. It observes 756 Wrecked in the Gulf; or, The Gold of the Old Buccaneers, ’ 757 The Rival Boy Brokers; or, Out for Eve closely the landmarks passed on the} 758 Under the Big Tent; or, From Acrobat 28 peed sate outward journey. 769 A Pair of Jacks; or, The Smartest Messengers in Wall Street. An owner of several hives of bees ao ~ pg or, Hustiing Up a Business. — noting the diligence they observ aking a F isk; or, The Dime That Led To Riches. in their work, was induced to investi- as Clear ae or, The Office Boy Who Made Good. 1 } Dealing in-Stocks; or, Sayed b Wall St 3 gate if time could be_ accurately | 764 The Sailor's ; or, The Treaatre of Dead. ate "Rock, gauged by hig swarms For several |g GOL" mseoe? gh aie oan a Pa ee weexs he had his meals on the terrace |7e7 Lucky Jim; or, $100,000 Brom Stocks es 8" of his house, breakfast being served | 768 “Millions In It”; or, A Boy With Ideas. promptly at seven o'clock, Ww en pre-| 769 —_ oe of a Mining Chart; and, The Wall Street Boy Who serves were used as a light repart. 770 Grasping His Chance; The Boy M h Most of the contents a er table! 771 Winning By Pluck; oF, The Deals That Made ite Sollars, were allowed 0 bas 5 See A} For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on a. — Sed > atl receipt of price, 7 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by was ° HARRY E. WOLFF, Pub., 166 W ee ree ae thera wale light tingle’ 4 a est 23d St.. New York. with sweets, which remained on the table for half an hour or so. As a OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS further inducement, a dish of stewed! No, 35, HOW TO FLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful littl cherries was put to cool on a window} book, containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatetie, near by, and in a few hours the whole | BagSetpicy Stn GUN DaUMS—C mf swarm of bees were sucking the py oe Containing all the - juice. >l>l> ll __———————=—=—=5 . No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE ovt the hour of 4 p. m. JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. . ary tae , should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organiz. sn ing an amateur minstrel troupe. : . ; For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on WOLF Cc AUGHT IN WIRE FENCE. receipt “ price, 10c. per copy, or 3 for 25c., in money or postage , 4 ’ stamps, by j ‘ ee FRANK TOUSEY, Pub. 168 West 23d St., New York, SCENARIOS (YQ rem By JAMES P, COGAN Price 35 Cents Per Copy This book contains all the most recent changes in the method of construction and submission of scenarios, Sixty rt covering every of scenario writing, from the most oni fed the most psabeg 4 pripeipls. eee Bogen covers eve ng @ mys! ow in order to make money as successful Le writer. Bor sale by all News-dealers Book-Stores, cannot procure a copy, us the ip 85 cents, imonaf or postage stamps, and we mail you , postage free. 3 L, SENABENS, 219 Seventh Ave, New York, WN, ¥, James Holman, a farmer living in the Bratton nion neighborhood, Neb,, procured an extra fine wolf so for a robe in a peculiar way. ently he and his little daughter were walking along the road when eee. attention 5 ro attracted a oat wo: ich was struggling So hor st Sea ncahen of a woven wire fence. —.. Holman left his little girl to guard the wolf while he went to a neighbor- ing farm and borrowed a gun. He. returned and shot the animal, which ‘oroved to be a large timber wolf.