f mm MYSTERY f
, T1 (By HAROLD MAC GI3ATH ■#
PIIIIiIIIIIKHS ii ■ w. ■■■ ■■IHIIII
SIO,OOO FOR ONE HUNDRED WORDS
" The Million Dollar Mystery" story board toill be absolute and final. Nothing
itill run for twenty-two consecutive weeks c/ a literary nature will be considered in
in this paper. By > . arrangement with the decision, nor given any preference in
the Thanhouser Film company it has been the selection of the winner of the SIO,OOO
made possible not to read the story prize. The last two reels, which will give
in this paper but als-t to see it each week the most acceptable solution to the mys
in the various moving picture theaters, tery, will be presented in the theaters
For the solution of this mystery story having this feature as soon as it is pos
slo,ooo toill be given by the Thanhouser sible to produce the same. The story corre-
Film corporation. t sponding to these motion pictures will ap-
OONDITiONS GOVERNING TEE P car in the newspapers coincidentally, or
CONTEST a * soon after the appearance of the pic-
The prize of SIO,OOO tcill be won by the tur " " p S ac !, icam \ WU f h the tWO
snan, woman, or Ud who writes the most ''*£"2
acceptable solution of the mystery, from "* r , or her home, and other interesting
which the last two reels of motion picture * " < ' unde r st ° od ' hat . iho n ™"
drama will be made and the last two '? f '\ praot /™ Wa ', ,n
chapter, of the story written by H«old th * two chapters of the story by Har-
MaoQrath MacGrath, ml also show a picture of
„ , • . . .. __ the successful contestant,
iSolutions may be sent to the Than- „ , , , , ,
houser Film corporation at 5 South Wa- solution, to the mystery must not be
bash avenue, Chicago, 111., or Thanhouser more than 100 words leng. Here are some
Film corporation, 71 West Twenty-third Questions to be kept «n mind tn connection
street. New York City, N. Y., any time up il,th he mystery as an aid to a solution:
to midnight, Jan. Ik, 1915. This allows No. I—What becomes of the minionairet
several weeks after the last chapter has No.S — What becomes of the *1,000,0001
been published. No- B—Whom does Florcnoe marry t
A. board of three judges will determine No. 4 —What becomes of the Russian
uhioh of the many solutions received is the countessf
most acceptable. The judges are to be Nobody connected either directly or in-
Harold MacGrath, Lloyd Lonergan, and directly with " The Million Dollar Mys-
Miss Mae Tinee. The judgment of this tery" will be considered as a contestant.
SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.
Stanley Bvgntvti millionaire, after
a miraculous escape from the den of
the gang of brilliant thlevea known an
the Black Hundred, live* the lite of a
reeluse for eighteen year*. Hargreave
accidentally meets Bralne. leader of the
Black Hundred. Knonlnc Bralne will
try to get him, he escapes from hla own
home by a balloon. Before escaping he
writes a letter to the girls' school
where eighteen yeara before he mys
teriously left on the doorstep his baby
daughter, Florence Gray. That day
Hargreave also drawa $1,000,000 from
the bank, but it is reported that this
dropped into the aea when the balloon
he eacaped In waa punctured.
Florence arrives from the girls'
•ehool. Countess Olga, Bralne's com
panion, visits her and clalma her as a
relative. The Black Hundred then see
• means of making Florence a target
for their attacka. They are after the
91)000,000, and Bralne, their leader, arts
traps for Florence. The Black Hun
dred, after a number of attempts, fall,
due to the wisdom «.' Jones, the Har
greave butler, and Norton, > newspaper
man.
{Copyright: 1014: By Harold MacGrath.]
CHAPTER XXI.
A PACKET OF PAPERS.
JIM said nothing at first about bis ad
venture to Jones, whom he met half an
hour later.
"Was it necessary to keep that in
visible letter?" he asked.
" No," said Jones.
11 Would it have given our affairs a serious
turn if it had fallen into alien hands?"
" Decidedly," answered Jones. "It would
mean flight for the Black Hundred or a long
time under cover, if our friend Braine learned
that Russia was now taking an active inter
est in the doings of the Black Hundred. And
eventually all our work would have to be dune
over again."
" Ah!"
" You look a bit mussed up. Anything
happened?" asked the keen eyed butler.
" Nothing much! I made a cigarette out
of the letter and smoked it."
Jones chuckled. " I see that you have
had an adventure of some sort; but it can
.wait."
"It can."
" Because I want you to pack off to Wash
ington."
" Washington? "
" Yes. I want you to interview those offi
cial* who are most familiar with the extra
dition laws."
" A new kink ? "
" What I wish to learn is this: Can a
man, formerly undesirable, take out natural
ization papers and hold to the protection of
the United States government? That is to
say, a poisoner, menaced by Siberia, become*
an American citizen, lie is abducted and
carried back to Russia. Could he look to
this government for protection? That is
.what I want you to find out."
" That will be easy. When 3haU I start? "
"As soon as you can pack your grip."
" That's always packed," replied the re
porter. " You see, I'm eternally shunted
hither and yon, at a moment's notice, so I
always have an extra grip packed for quick
travel."
"The Russian agent wants Braine, Vroon,
and the countess; and tonight I'm going to
try to point them out to him. It would sat
isfy me more than anything I know to elim
inate this precious trio in Russian fashion.
1 t's thorough; and ouce accomplished, good
day to the Black Hundred in America. The
organization in Russia has still some political
aiguificance, but on this side of the water it
la merely an aggregation of merciless thugs."
" I'll take the first train out. But you
will tell Florence ? "
" Surely."
"And taka care of your own heels. You
were watched at the hotel."
" I know it; but the watcher could learn
nothing. Henri Servan as a name will sug
gest nothing to the fool who followed me.
Besides, we both knew that he was trying
to peek through the keyhoie. That hotel, you
know, still retains the old fashioned key
fa cles."
"To keep the maids in good humor. I sup-
Concealed at the rendezvona of the
Black Hundred, a mnn learns of the re
covery of the box from the sea by a
anllor and of lis subsequent return to
the bottom of the sea, and he quickly
communicates the fact to Jones. A du
plicate box Is planted and later secured
by the band, but before Its contents are
examined the box mysteriously disap
pears.
Finding himself checkmated at every
turn, Bralne endeavors to enmesh the
Hargreave household In the law in
order to gain free access to the house.
The timely discovery of the plot by
Norton sets the police at the heels of
the pack and results in a raid on the
Banc's rendezvous, which, however f
proves to be barren of results.
The Black Hundred begin to fear Nor
ton and plan to dispose of him. Again
the unnoticed butler shows his hand by
rescuing Norton nml defeating Bralne.
Florence aecurca a mysterious paper
which is of vital Importance to her
father's safety. Bralne loses hope of
securing the *1,000,000 and turns to re
venge.
pose," laughed Jim. "Well, I must be on
my way to make that flyer."
The two shook hands and Jim hurried off.
The butler watched him till he disappeared
down the subway.
" He's a good lad," he murmured, " and
a brave lad; and money is only an incident
in human affairs after all. I'll be a good
angel and let the two be happy, since they
love each other and have proved it in a thou
sand ways."
For a long time the leather box across
which was inscribed " Stanley Hargreave"
§1 ->,, |
1
&KAINL AND EiTXXZOMTI.ICL PLAN THE, CAPTURE. OF HLNRJ JE^'AN?
lay in peace undisturbed. A busy spider Lad
*oven a trap across the handle to the quaint
lock. The box was still badly stained from
it* immersion in the salt water. At a cer
tain time it was quietly withdrawn from
its hiding place. It was stealthily opened.
A hand reached in and when it withdrew a
packet of papers was also withdrawn. Thi
box was again locked and lowered ; and pres
ently the spider returned to find that his
cunning trap had been totally destroyed. With
the infinite patience of his kind he began the
weaving of another trap. Perhaps this would
be more successful than its predecessor.
Later Henri Servan received a telephone
call. He was informed that his purpose in
America would be realized by his presence
at such and such a box that night at the
opera. Further information could uot be
given over the telephone. Servan seemed v.ell
uatisfied. He dressed carefully that evening,
called up 'he office clerk f.ud inquired ii his
TriE TELEGRAPH, HARRISBURG, PA.. NOVEMBER I 1914
1'" ''■ vi —_»
S'-- • '•"' • ■■■"■' ' ; ' -- ;, '' : ..-«j; , -' ' 'V'.
' ' ''' '' ' " H JmBBK^
TO \^ W nnn-iwwMiirr ruTiiHim 11"" "-■-' JmesmsmmmJ
V XXXXXXXXXXXVXNTVXXXXXXXXXXtXXVWWV !■■■ IV VVNV.XV y|^y^ r jyxyyyy y» x<> » 11 , .». .. . .. ■ ■ THftf
WHOvTE HANDvJ AJX THDsfL &
box tickets for the opera had arrived. He
was informed that they hail. Instantly the
spy, who had dared to linger about the hotel,
overhearing this conversation, determined to
notify Braine at once. And at. the same
time, Norton, in disguise, determined not to
lose sight of this man whom he had set
himself to watch.
The spy left by one entrance and Jim by
another. Jim had learned what he desired:
that the Russian agent would bo followed to
the opera and that it was going to be diffi
cult to hand the documents to him. The
spy entered a drug store and telephoned. Jim
waited outside. When the niijn came out
he strolled up the street and entered the near
est saloon. Jim's work was done.
It was Braine's lieutenant, however, who
took the news, to Braine.
" We" have succeeded."
" Good! " said Braine.
"He will go to the opera. He will have
a box. Doubtless they have arranged to de
liver the papers there."
" And the next thing is to get the num
ber of his box." This Braine had no difficulty
in doing. "So that's all fixed. He calls
himself Servan and registers from Paris. I'll
show the fool that he lias no Moujik to deal
with this time."
"And what are these documents?" asked
Olga.
" Ah, that's what we are so anxious to
find out. Some papers are going to he ex
changed between thw UUSSUA max and Jones
or his agents. That these papers concern ua
vitally lam certain. That is why I am going
to get them if there has to be a murder at
the opera tonight. Norton has been to Wash
ington. He was seen coming out of the Rus
sian embassy, from the secretaries of state
and war and a dozen other offices. I've got
to find out just what all this means."
"It means that the time has come for us
to fly," said Olga. "We have failed. I
have warned you. We have still plenty of
money left. It is time we folded our tents
and stole away quietly. I tell you I feel it
in my bones that there is a pit before us
somewhere: aud if you force issues we shall
all fall into it."
"The white feather, my dear?"
" There is altogether some difference be
tween the white feather and common sense
caution."
" I shall never give up. You are free to
pack up and go if you wish. As for me, I'm
going to fight this out to the bitter end."
" And take my word for it, the end will
be bitter."
"Well?"
"O, I shall stay. You know that my
future is bound up in yours. In the old days
my advice generally appealed to you as sound;
and when you followed it you were success
ful. From the first. I advised you not to
pursue Ilargreave. See what has happened ! "
" Enough of this chatter. I've got to die
some time; it will be with my face toward
this man I hate with all my soul. You trust
to me; I'll pull out of this all right. You
just fix yourself up stunningly for the opera
tonight and leave the rest to me." .
Olga shrugged. She was something of a
fatalist. This man of hers had suddenly
gone mad: and one did not reason with mad
people.
"What shall I wear?" she asked calmly.
" Emeralds; they're your good luck stone?.
You will go to the box before I do. I've
got to spend some time at the curb to bo
sure that this Servan chap arrives. And it
is quite possible that our friend Jones will
come later. If not Jones, then Norton. 1
was a fool not to shoot him when I had the
chance. We could have covered it up„with
out the least difficulty. But I needed the in
formation about that paper. With Norton
going to Washington and Jones confering
with this Servan, I've got to strike quick.
It concerns us, that I'm certain. Perk up;
we've lots of cards in our sleeves yet. He
at the opera at 8:30. Pay no attention to
any one; wait for me. Remember, I shan't
write notes or send any phone messages. Be
warry of any trap like that to get you out
side. Now, I'm off."
Jones approached Florence immediately
after dinner.
" I have important business in the city to
night. Under no circumstances leave the
house. I shall probably be followed. And
our enemies will have need of you fur more
tonight than at any previous time. I shall
not send you phone or written message. Tou
have your revolver. Shoot any strange man
who enters. We'll make inquiries after."
"We are near the end?" whispered Flor
ence.
" Very near the end."
"And I shall see my father?"
Jones bent his head. "If we succeed."
"There is danger?" thinking of her love*.
" There is always danger when I leave this
Louse. So be good," the butler added with a
' smile.
" And Jim? "
" He has proved that he can take care of
himself."
" Tell him to be very careful."
" I'll do so, but it will not be necessary
and with this Jones set forth upon what he
considered the culmiaating adventure.
The usual brilliant crowd began to pour
iuto the opera. Braine took his stand by
tile entrance. He waited a long time, but his
patience was rewarded. A limousine drova
up and out of the door came his man, who
looked about with casual interest. He dis
missed the limousine, which wheeled slowly
round the corner where it could be convenient
ly parked. Then Servan entered the opera.
Braine hurried round to the limousine. The
lights, save those demanded by traffic regu
lations, were out. The chauffeur was hud
dled in his seat.
"My man," said Braine, " would you like
to make some money?"
" How much ? " listlessly. The voice was
muffled.
" Twenty."
" Good night, sir."
" Fifty."
" Good night and good morning! "
" A hundred ! "
" Now you've got mo interested. What
kind of a joy ride do you want?"
"No joy ride. Listen."
Briefly the conspirator outlined his needs,
and finally the chauffeur nodded. Five twen
ties were pressed into his hand and he curled
up in bis sent again.
Servan entered his box. In the box next
to his sat a handsomely gowned young woman.
He threw her an idle glance, which was re
paid in kind. Later, Braine came in and sat
down beside Olga.
" Everything looks like plain sailing," he
whispered.
Olga shrugged slightly.
During the intermission between the first
and second acts, Servan took the rear chair of
his box, near the curtains. Braine, watching
with the eyes of a lynx, suddenly observed
the curtains stirring. A hand was thrust
through. In that hand was a packet of pa
pers. With seeming indifference Servan
reached back and took the papers, stowing
them away in a pocket.
Braine rose at the beginning of the second
act.
" Where are you going? " asked Olga nerv
ously,
" To see Otto."
" A bold attempt was made to rob Servan
while in the box, but the timely arrival of
Jim frustrated this plan. So Braine was
forced to rely on the chauffeur of the lim
ousine.
As Farrar's last thrilling note died away
Braine and Olga rose.
"Be careful. And come to the apartment* '
just as soon as you can."
" I'll be careful," Braine declared easily.
" You can watch the play if you wish." '4^^
When Servan entered the limousine he was
quietly but forcibly seized by two men who
had been lying in wait for him. due to the
apparent treachery of the chauffeur. Servan
fought valiantly, for all that he knew what
the end of this exploit was going to be. One
of the men succeeded in getting the docu
ments from Servan's pocket.
" Done, my boy! " cried the victor. " Give
him a crack on the coco and we'll beat it."
"Just a minute, gentlemen!" said a voice
from tl.e seat at the side of the chauffeur.
"I'll take those papers!" And the owner
of the voice, baeked by a cold, sinister looking
automatic, reached in and confiscated the
spoils of war. " And I shouldn't make any
attempt to slip out by the side door."
" Thanks, my friend," said Servan. shaking
himself free from his captors.
" Don't mention it," said Norton aimiably.
" We thought something like this would hap
pen. Keep perfectly quiet, you chaps. Drive
on, chauffeur; drive on! "
" Yes, my lord! To what particular police
station shall I head this omnibus?"
"The nearest, Jones; the very nearest you
can think of! Some day, when I'm'rich, I'll
hire you for my chauffeur. But for the pres
ent I shall expect at least a box of Partegas
out of that hundred."
Jones chuckled. " I'll buy you a box out
of my own pocket. That huudred goes to
charity."
" Here wc are! Out with you," said Jim
to bis prisoners. He shouldered them into
the police station, to the captain's desk.
"What's this?" demanded the captain.
" Holdup men," said Jim. " Entered thia
man's car and tried to rob him."
" Uh-huh ! An' who're you? "
Jim showed his badge and card.
" Oho! Hey, there; I mean you! " said
the captain, leveling a finger at Otto. " Lift
up that hat; lift it up. Sure, it's Fountain
Pen Otto! Well, well; an' we've been lookin'
for you for ten months on the last forgery
case. Mr. Norton, my thanks. Take 'em be
low, sargeant. You'll be here to make the
complaint in th' mornin', sir," he added to
Servan. ,
" If it is necessary."
"It may be against Otto's pal. I don't
know him."
"Very well."
And Jones and Norton and Servan troopod
out of the station.
At last Jones and the reporter entered a
cheap lunchroom and ordered coffee and toast.
" You're a wonderful man. Jones, even if
you are an - Englishman," said Jim as ho
called for the check.
" English? What makes you think I am
English?" asked Jones with a curious glit
ter in his eyes.
" I'll tell you on the night we put tl.e roll
ers under Braine and company."
Jones stared long nnd intently at his young
partner. What did he really know?
[TO BE CONTINUED.J