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About The Augusta herald. (Augusta, Ga.) 1914-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1914)
MILLION DOLLAP MTtPY Marold MacGath $ 10,000 FOR ONE HUNDRED WORDS "The Million Dollar Mystery* 9 storp Util run for twenty •two consecutive weeks in this paper. 11 y an arrangement with the Thanhouscr Film company it has been made possible not only to read the story in this paper but als* to see it each week in the various moving picture theaters. For the solution of this mystery story SIO,OOO will be given by the Thanhousef Film corporation. CONDITION'S GOVERNING THE CONTEST. The prize of SIO,OOO will be won by the man, woman, or child who writes the most acceptable solution of the mystery, from uhich the last two reels of motion picture drama will be modi and the last two chapters of the story written by Harold MacGrath. Solutions may be sent to the Than houser Film corporation at fi South Wa bash avenue, Chicago fit., or Thanhouscr Film corporation, 7/ West Twenty-third street, New York City. N. Y. t any time up to midnight, Jan. I\, 1915. This allows sei'rral weeks after the last chapter has hern published. A board of three judges will determine u hich of the many solutions received is the most acceptable. The judges arc to be Harold MacGrath, Lloyd Lonergan, anh Miss Mao Tince. The judgment of this flltanlay Unrgirrnvn, ml I lion n Ire, nfler a mlraniloua earniie from the «len of the ffnnfK of brilliant thieve* known an the Black Hundred, 11%ew the life of h re rlune tor eighteen yearn. ll*rnren%e ac cidentally meet* limine, lender of the Blaek Hundred. K Miming limine %%11l fry to net him, he escape* from him own home by n balloon. Before escaping he write* a letter to the sirin' aehool where eighteen year* before he m j sfrrlmisly left on the doorstep hla baby daughter, Florence <■ ray. Tbnt day llargrenve nlno drawn 91,000,000 from the bank, but It la reported that thla dropped Into the aea when the balloon ho escaped In wna punctured. Florence nrrlnea from the girla* school. Countess Olga, llralne'a companion, via- Ita her and clnlma her on n relative. The Black Hundred then are a meana of funk ing Florence a target for their attacks. They are after the fI.IHW.OOO, and llralne, their leader, acta frnpa for Florence, The Vtlnck Hundred after n number of attempts fall, due to the wlnilom of f Copyright! 1814: By Rarold M*oOratb.] chapter xviii. Tilt MARKED MAM.. ABOUT this time that 1* lo *ay, about the time the Black Hundred was stretching out ita powerful secret arm a toward Norton there arrived in New York City a personage. Thla person age waa the Princes* l’arlova, a fabulously rich Polish Ituaainn, She leased a fine house near Central park and set about to conquer social New York. This wns not very diffi cult, for her title wns perfectly genuine and she moved in the moat exclusive diplomatic circles in Europe, which, ns everybody knows, Is the most brilliant in the world. (When the new home was completely deco rated she gave Rn elaborate dinner, and thnt attracted tho newspapers. They began to talk about her highness, printed portraits of her, and devoted a page occasionally in the Sunday editions. She tiecame something of a rage. One morning It was announced thnt the Princess Parlova would give a masked ball to formally open her home to society: and it wns this notice (list first brought the Princees Parlova under Braine’s eyes. Ho was at the Perigoff apartment at the time. “Well, well!" lie mused aloud. “What is It?" asked Olga, turning away from the piano and ending one of Chopin's maitirkaa brokenly. “ Her.- is tlie Princess Parlova in town.” I “ And who is she? " j "She is the real thing, Olga; a real princess with vast ('Mates in Poland with which the greedy Slav next door has been very gentle." "I haven’t paid much atteution to the social news lately. What about her?" i "She is giving a masked hall to formally ,open her house on the west aide. And it’a going to cost a pretty penny.” , “ Well, you’re uot telling me thla to make we want to know the princess," said Olga, petulantly. *’ No. But Put going to give you a letter of introduction to her highness." " O!" "And you are going to ask her to invite two particular friends ofgyours to this won derful ball of hers." *’ Indeed," ironically. ’That sounds all very easy." “ Easier than you think, my child." “I will not have you call me child 1* " Well, then, Olga." “ That’s better. Now, how w ill it he eas ier than 1 thtuk?” " Simply this, the Princess Parlors Is an oath bonnd member, but baa not I'ecu active for years.” " Oho!" Olga waa ail antmatiou now. “Go on!” "You will go to her with a letter of In troduction —Oo! Better thau that, you will make a formal call and show her this ring. You know the ring,” he said, paaaiug the talisman to the countess. “Show this to her and ah# will obey you iu everything. She will have no alternative." “Very good,” replied Olga. “And then the program is to Insist that she invite Flor ence and that fool of a reporter to thla bail. Then what?" "You can leave that to me." " Haven’t all these failures !>een s warn ing r “ No, my dear. I w»s born optimistic; but there's a Jinx somewhere iu one of my pock IYNOPNII OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. board will be absolute apd final. Nothing cf a literary nature v ill be considered in the decision, nor given any preference in the selection of the winner of the SIO,OOO prize. The last two reels, which will give the most acceptable solution to the mys tery, will be presented in the theaters having this feature as soon as it is pos sible to produce the same. The story corre sponding to these motion pictures will ap pear in the newspapers coincidentally, or us soon after the appearance of the pic tures ns practicable. With the last two reels will be shown the pictures of the win ner, his or her home, and other interesting features. It is under stood that the news papers, so far as practicable, in printing the last two chapters of the story by Har old MacGrath, will also show a picture of the successful contestant. Solutions to the mystery must not be more than 100 words long. Here are some questions to be kept in mind in connection vith the mystery as an aid to a solution: No. 1 What becomes of the millionaires No. 2 What Incomes of the. &1,000,0001 No.fi Whom docs Florence marryt No. I—What becomes of the Russian countessf Nobody conceited either directly or in directly irith “ The Million Dollar Mys tery ” will be considered as a contestant. .lonea, the llargrenve Imfler, and Nor ton, a newspaper mun. Concealed above the rendesvoua of the Black Hundred, a man learns of the re co%ery of the box from the sen by n sailor and of Ita subsequent return to the bottom of the aea, and he quickly com in it iilch tea the fact to Jones. A dupli cate box la planted and later secured by the bund, but before Ita contents are ex amined the box mysteriously disappears. Finding himself checkmated at every turn, llralne endeatora to rnineah the llargrenve houaehold In the law In order to gain free access to the house. The timely discovery of the plot by Norton sets the police nt the heels of the pack and results In n mid on the gang 4 * ren desvous, which, however, proves to be barren of results. The Black Hundred begin to fear Nor ton and plan to dlapose of him. Again the unnoticed butler shows his hand by rescuing Norton and defeating Bralne. And still the golden tinted hank notes repose tranquilly In their hiding placet ets. Time after time I’ve had everything just where I wnnted it, snd then -poof! It’s pure bald luck on their aide, hot sooner or later the wheel will turn. And nny chance that offers 1 hui bound to accept. Some how or other we may be able to trap Flor ence and Norton. I want both of them. If 1 can get them snugly away Jonea will be forced to draw in llargreave." “Is there such a man?" " You saw him that night at the restaur ant." "I have often thought that perhaps I just dreamed it.” She turned again to the piano and began humming idly. “Stop that and listen to me,” said Braine, not in quite the heat of tempers. “Pm in no mood for whims.” “ Music does not soothe yotir soiil, then? ’’ cynically. ’’ If I had one it might You will call on the Princess Parlova tomorrow after noon. It depends upon you what my plana will be. 1 think you’ll hnve little trouble in getting into the presence of her high ness, and once there she wUI not be able to resist you." “ i’ll go." And go she did. The footman in green livery hesitated for a moment hut the title on the visiting card was quite sufficient. He bowed the countess into the reception room and went in search of his distinguished mis tress. The Princess Parlova was « handsome woman vergiug upon middle age. She was a patrician; Olga’s keen eye discerned that instantly." She came into the reception room with that dignified serenity which would have impressed any one as genuine. She held the card in her Huger* and smiled inquiringly toward her guest. “I confess,” she began, "thnt l recall neither your face nor yonr name. I am sorry. Where have I had the honor of meeting you before?” "You have never met me before, yotir highness,” answered Olga sweetly. “You come ou a charity errand, then?” ’’That depends, your highness. Will you Is* so goml as to glance at this?" Olga asked, holding out her palm upon which the talisman lay. The princess shrank back, paling. "Where did you get that?" she panted. “From the head," was the answer. “ Aud you have followed me from Rus sia?” whispered the princess, her terror growing. "O, iuk The Black Hundred is as strong ly organised here as in f*t. Fetersburg. But we always keep track of the old members, especially when they stand so high in the world as yourself," "But l waa deceived and betrayed!" ex* claimed the princes*. "They urged me to join on the ground that the organisation was to attempt to bring about the freedom of Poland." Olga shrugged. “ You Were rich, highness. The Black Hundred needed money.” "And you need it now?" eagerly, be lieving that she eaw a loophole, "How much? rt, I will give a hundred thousand rubies on your promise to leave ut« alone. Tell me!" “ I am sorry, your highness, but 1 have no authority to aceept such an offer. In deed, my errand is far from being expensive. All the Black Hundred desires is foot iu vitation* to this hall which you are soon to give. That should not cause you any alarm. We shall not interfere with your sojourn in America in any way whatever, provided these invitations are issued.” “You would rob my guests?” horrified. “ Positively no! Here is a list of four names. Invite them; that is all you have to do. Not so much as a silver spoon will be found missing. This is on my word of hoii-r. und I never hrenk that word, if you please." “(Jive me the list,” said the princess, wearily. " gave you that ring?’ " The head.” "In Husain?" “ No; here in America.” Olga dipped into her handbag and produced a slip of paper. This she handed to the princess. “ Here is the list, highness." “Who is Florence Hargrenve?” " A friend of mine." evasively. “ Poes she belong to the organisation? " " No.” “ Then you have some ulterior purpose in having nte invite her?" “I have," answered Olga sharply; "but that does not concern your highness in the least” The princess bit her Ups. “ I see your name here also; a man named Braine and another, Norton." " Say at once that you do not care to execute the wishes —the commands—of the order," said Olga coldly. “ I will do as you wish, And l beg yon now to excuse me. But If anything happens to any of my personal friends ——” “Well?” haughtily from Olga. “Well, l will put the matter in the hands of the police." ’• But so long ns your personal friends are not concerned?” • "I shall then of necessity remain desf nnd blind. It is one of the |>cnalties I must pay for my folly. I wish you good-day.” “ And also good riddance," murmured Olga under her breath as she rose aud started for the hallway. Thu* it was that when Norton went to the office the next afternoon he foutid a broad white envelope on his desk, indiffer ently he opened the same nnd his eyes bulged. “ Princess I’arlova request*" and so forth and so on. Then lie shrugged. The chief had probably asked for the invitatiou and he would have to write up the doings, a phase of reportorial work eminently dis tasteful to him. He went up to the city desk. " t'an't you find some one else to do this stuff?" he growled to the city editor. The city editor glanced at the card and crested envelope. “Good lord, man! No body iu this office had anything to do with that. What luck! Our Mis* Hayes tried all manner of schemes, but was r buffed on alt aides. How the deuce did yon chance to get one?" “Search me," said the bewildered Nor ton. “if I were you I’d ait tight and take it all in." advised the editor. " It's going to be the biggest splurge of its kind we’ve had in year*. We've been working every wire we know to get Misa Hayes inside, but it was no go. This prince** is not onto the gang* yet. In this country you get into society or yon don’t through the Sundays.” “ Hanged if 1 know who wished this thing on me.” "Take it philosophically,” said the editor sarcastically. “The princess won’t l»ite you. She may even have seen your picture ” ’’Get out!” grumbled Norton, turning away. lie would go out and see Florence. On V nr** «Sm>si nm*^ 1 ROOM AND MADE PRISONER.* the way out to lUverdale he came to the conclusion that the list of the princess fell short and some friend of his who was help ing the woman out suggested his name. It was the only way he could account for it. But when he learned that Florence had au invitation exactly like his own ami that she received it that morning he liecatne sus picious. "Jones, what do you think of it?” he questioned. “ I think it was very kind of the Conntesa I’eriguff suggesting your uaiue ami that of Florence," said the bntler nrhanely. "Olga?" cried Florence, disappointedly. *’ It is the only logical deduction I can make," declared Jones. "They are both practically Russians." "And what would yon advise?” asked Norton. " Why. go and enjoy yourselves. Fore warned is forearmed. The thing is, be very rsrefol not to acquaint any one with tls character of your disguise, least ot all the Countess Perigoff. Besides.” Jones added ami’lng, ” perhaps I may go myself.” “ Goody 1 I’ve read about masked balls and have always been crazy to go to one,” said Florepee with eagerness. “ Suppose we go at once and pick out some costumes?” suggest'd Norton. “Just as soon as I can get my hat on,” replied Florence, happy as a lark. “But mind,” warned Jones; “be sure that you sec the costumer alone and that no one else is about.” “ I’ll take particular care,” agreed Norton. “ We’ve got to do some hustling to find some thing suitable. For a big affair like this the town will be ransacked. All aboard ! There’s room for two in that car of mine: and we can have a spin besides. Hang work ! ” .. Florence laughed, and even Jones permitted a smile (which was not grim this time) to stir his lips. A happy person is-generally unobservant. Two happy persons together are totally un observant of what passes around them. In plainer terms this lack is called love. And being frankly in love with each other, neither Norton nor Florence observed that a taxicab followed them into town. Jones, not being in love, was keenly observant; but the taxicab took up the trail two blocks away, so the matter wholly escaped Jones' eye. The two went into several costumers', but could not find what they wanted. They eventually discovered a shop on a side street that had been overlooked by those invited to the masquerade. They had a merry time rummaging among the camphory smelling boxes. There were dominoes of all colors, and at length they agreed upon two modest ones that were evenly matched in color and design. Florence ordered them to be sent home. Then the two of them sallied up to the Ritz-Carleton and had tea. The man from the taxicab entered tl.e cos tumer's, displayed a detective’s shield and de manded that the proprietor show him the cos tumes selected by the two young people who had just left. The man obeyed wonderingly. “ I want a pair exactly like these,” said the detective. “How much?” “ Two dollars each, rental; seven apiece If you wish to buy them.” “ I’ll buy them.” The detective paid the bill, nodded curtly, and returned to his taxicab. “ Now, I wonder,” mused the costumer, “ what the dickens those innocent looking young people are up to?” He never found out. On the night of the ball Norton dined with Florence for the first time; and for once in his lisp ho experienced that petty disturbance of collective thought called embarrassment. To talk over war plans with Jones was one thing, but to have Jones serve soup was alto gether another. All through dinner Jones re plied to questions with no more and no less than “ Yes, air,” and “ No, sir.” Norton wa; beginning to learn that this strange man could put on a dozen kinds of armor and always re> tain his individuality. And tonight thers seemed something vaguely familiar about the inipassave face of the butler, as if he had seen it somewhere in the past hut could not tell when or where. As he and Florence were leaving for the automobile which was to take them to the princess', the truth catne home to him with the ahoA of a douche of ice cold water, t'nder his breath he murmured: “You’re a wonderful man. Jones; and I tak» my hat off to you with the deepest admira tion. Ilang me!” “What are you mumbling about?” asked the happy girl at hi* tide. “Was I mumbling? Perhaps I was going over my catechism. 1 haven't been out in so ciety in so long that I've forgotten how to act.” “I believe that. We've been in here for five minutes and you haven't told me that you love me.” “ Go«l heavens! “ And bis arms went around her so tightly that she begged for quar ter. “ How strong you are ! n The splendor of the rooms, the dazzling an- I ray of jewels, the kaleidoscopic colors, the perfume of the banked flowers, and the music all combined to put Florence into a pleas urable kind of trance. And it was only when the first waltz began that she became her self and surrendered to the arms of the man she loved. And they were waltzing over a volcano. She knew and he knew it. From what direc tion would the blow come? Well, they were prepared for all manner of tricks. In an alcove off the ballroom sat Braine and Olga, both dressed exactly like Norton and Florence. Another man and woman en tered presently and Braine spoke to them for a moment, as if giving instructions, which was indeed the case. The band crashed into another dance, and the masqueraders began swirling hither and thither and yon. A gay cavalier suddenly stopped in front of Florence. “ Enchantress, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” Jim touched Florence’s hand. But she turned laughingly toward the stranger. What difference did it make? The man would never know who she was nor would she know him. It was a lark, that was all; and despite Jim’a warning touch she was up and away like the mischievous sprite that she was. Jim r*- mained in his chair, twisting his fingers and wondering whether to laugh or grow angry. After all, he could not blame her. To him an affair like this was an ancient story; to her' it was the door of fairyland swung open. Let her enjoy herself. < Florence was liaving a splendid time. Her partner was asking all sorts of questions and she was replying in kind, when out of the crowd came Norton (as she supposed), who touched her arm. The cavalier stopped, bowed, and made off. Norton whispered: “ I have made an im portant discovery. We must be off at once. Come with me.” Florence, without the least suspicion In the world, followed him up the broad staircase. What with the many sounds it was not to be wondered at that the difference in the quality of voices did not strike Florence's ear as odd. The result of her confidence was that upon reaching the upper halls, opposite the dress ing rooms, she was suddenly thrust into a room and made prisoner. When the light was turned up she recognized with horror the woman who had helped to kidnap her and take her away on the George Washington weeks ago. She could not have cried out for help if she had tried. Meantime Jim got Uf> and began to., wan der about in search of Florence. Braine played a clever game that night. lie and the Russian, still dominoed like Norton and Florence, ordered the Hargreave anto, by number, entered it and were driven up to the porte cochere of the Hargreave house. The two alighted, the chauffeur sent the car to ward the garage, and Braine and his com panion ran lightly down the path to the street where the cab which had picked them up. It grew more and more evident to Jim that something untoward had taken place. He could not find Florence anywhere, in the al coves, in the side rooms, the supper or card room. Later, to. his utter amazement, he was informed that the Hargreave anto had soma time since been called and its owner taken home. Some one had taken his place! His first sensation was Impotent fury against Jones, who had permitted them to play with fire. He flung out of the mansion unceremoniously, commandeered a cab, and flew out to Riverdale. And when Jones came to the door he was staggering with sleep. “What’s the matter with you?” demanded Jim roughly. “ Where’s Florence? ” “Isn't she with you?” criea Jones, making an effort to dispel the drowsiness. “ What time is it?” suddenly. " Midnight! Where is she? ” “Midnight? I’ve been drugged! ” Without a word Jones staggered off to the kitchens, Jim at his heels. There was always hot water, and within five minutes Jones had drunk two enps of raw strong coffee. “ Drugged ! ” he murmured. “ Some one in the house! I’ll attend to that later. Now,' 1 the chauffeur! But the chauffeur swore on his oath that he had left Jim and Florence on the steps of the porte coehere. “ Det in! ” said Jones to Norton, now fully alive. He could not get it out of his head that some one in the house had drugged him. The events which followed were to both Jones and Norton something like a series of nightmares. In the new home of the Princess Parlova a bomb exploded and fire followed the explosion. From pleasure to terror is only a step. The wildest confusion Imag inable ensued. Most of the guests were of the opinion that some anarchist had attempted to blow up the house of the rich Pole. Jones and Norton arrived just as the smoke began to pour out from the windows. A crowd nad already collected. Then Jim overheard a woman maaqusesder say: “ The fool made tl.e bomb too strong. She is in the room on the second floor. The game is np if she suffocates ” The voice trailed off and the women became lost in the crowd. But it was enough for the ’spotter, who pushed hi* way roughly through the ex cited masqueraders and entered the The rescue was one of the moat exciting to SB found la the newspaper files of the day. So Bralne in his effort to scare everybody from the house had overreached himself one# more. (TO BE OOSTtSem]
