Newspaper Page Text
MILLION DOLLAI? MYSTEPY Harold (fee Gath
SIO,OOO FOR ONE HUNDRED WORDS
"The Million Dollar Myttery" story
uiU run for twenty-two coneecutive «oeckt
in tht* paper, liy an arrangement with
the Thanhouscr Film company it hat been
made potsiblc not only to rend the itory
tn thit paper but altn to tee it each week
•n the variant moving picture theater*.
For the tolution of Ihtt myntery ttory
0,000 will t/e given by the Thanhoutcr
Film corporation.
CONDITIONS aOTKnytSQ THE
CONTEST.
The prize of SIO,OOO will be won by the
man, woman, or child who write» the mo*t
acceptabh tolution of the myntery, from
which the last two reels of motion picture
Crania will be mad-, and the last two
chapters of the story written by Harold
MacUrath.
Solutions may be sent to the Than
houscr Film corporation at 5 South \Vo»
bash avenue, Chicago, 111-, or Thanhouscr
Film corporation, 11 West Twenty-third
stieet, hew York City, N. Y. t any time up
to midnight, Jan. Jl/, 11115. This allows
several weeks after the last chapter has
been published.
A board of three judges will determine
which of the many aolutions received is the
most acceptable. The judges are to bo
Harold Macdrath , l.loyd Lotwrgan, at>A
Miss Mac Tinee. The judgment of this
fMnnlrj millionaire, after
• miraculous rixiipf from the «irn of
the kiiiik of brilliant thieve* linoon a*
the lllnck Hundred, live* the life of a
reeluae for eighteen year*. II lira rent e
ae«*l«lentnll> meet* llrnlne, leader of the
lllaeli Hundred. hnoainK llrnlne will
try to |(et him, he e«en|»e* from hi* own
home by a hnlloou. Before cncnplug lie
write* a letter to the girl** school
where eighteen year* before lie in ys
terlon*|> left on the door»tcp 111* baliy
daughter, Florence <«rny. That day
llargrenve nlno draw* 91.000,000 from
the bank, but It I* reported that tbl*
dropped Into the «en when the balloon
be e*e*ped In wa* pn tie lured.
Florence arrive* from the girl**
Behool. t'ounte** Olga, llrnlne** com*
pan lon, vlnlt* her anil claim* her a* a
relative. The lllnek Hundred then nee
a ntenn* of making Florence * target
for their attack*. They are after the
91,000,000, anil llrnlne, tlielr leader, net*
trap* for Florence. The lllnck Hun
dred, after a number of attempt*, fall,
due to the wlndom of .lone*, the llar
ffreave butler, and Norton, a newspaper
man.
[Copyright: 1014: By IlaroM MacQrnth.l
CHAPTER XXI.
A PACKET OP PAPER*.
JIM naid nothing Ht tir»t about hi* ad
venture to Jones, whom he met lmlf an
hour later.
" Waa It necessary to keep that In
vlalhle latter?” he asked.
” No," aaiil Jone*.
*• Would It have given our affair* a serious
turn if it had fallen into alien hands?"
“ Decidedly," answered Jones. "It would
mean flight for the Illaek Hundred or a long
time under cover. If our friend Rralne learned
thnt Russia was now taking an active inter
est in the doing* of the Illaek Hundred. And
eventually all our work would have to be dona
over again.”
" Ah! *
"Ton look a hit 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 acme sort; but it ran
wait.”
“It can"
* Because I want you to pack off to Waah
ington."
“ Washington? "
“ Te*. I want you to Interview those offi
cial* who sre most familiar with the extra
dition laws.”
“A new kink?"
*' What 1 wish to lesrn is this: Can a
ntan, formerly undesirable, take out natural
isation paper* and hold to the protection of
the United States government? That 1* to
say. a poisoner, menaced by Siberia, become*
an American ritisen. He is abducted and
carried back to Russia. Could he look to
this government for protection? That ia
what 1 want you to find out.”
“That will lu> easy. When shall I start?"
“ As *oon a* you can pack your grip."
"That’s always packed.” replied the re
porter. “You see. Pro eternally shunted
hither and yon. at a moment’s notice, ao I
always have an extra grip packed for quick
travel."
” The Russian agent wanta Brain*. Vroon,
and the countess; and tonight I'm going to
try to poiat them out to him. It would sat
isfy me more than anything I know to elim
inate this precious trio in Russian fashion.
It's thorough; amt ones accomplished, good
day to the Black Hundred iu America. Th#
organisation in Russia ha* still some political
significance, but on this side of the water it
ia merely an aggregation of merciless thugs.”
" I’ll take the first train out. But you
will tell Florence?"
“ Surely."
“And take care of your own heels. Too
were watched at the hotel.”
“I know it; but the watcher could leant
nothing. Henri Kervan 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 keyhole. That hotel, you
know, atill retain* the old fashioned key
holes."
" To keep th* maid* ia good humor*, 1 sup-
SYNOd'SIN or PIIP.VIOLS CHAPTICH*.
lay In peace undisturbed. A busy spider had
Woven a trap across the hnndle to the quaint
lock. The box was still badly stained from
its immersion In th# salt water. At a cer
tain time it was quietly withdrawn from
It* hiding place. It was” stealthily opened.
A hand reached in and when it withdrew a
packet of papers was also withdrawn. Ths
bo* ««» again locked and lowered; and pres
ently the spider returned to find that his
running trap hud been totally destroyed. With
th# infinite patience of his kind he began the
weaving of another trap. Perhaps this would
he more successful than it* predecessor.
letter Henri Servan received a telephone
call. 11* was iuformed that his purpose in
America would he realised by hi* presence
at such and such a box that tjight at th#
opera. Further information could not he
given over the telephone. Servan sivtned well
satisfied. He dressed carefully that evening,
railed up the office clerk and inquired if his
loard will he absolute and final. Nothing
cf a Ut'rary nature will be considered in
the decision, nor given any preference in
the selection of the winner of the f 10,000
prize. The last tu:o reels, which will give
the most acceptable solution to the mys
tery, will be presented in the theaters
having this feature as toon 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
as soon after the appearance of the pic
tures as practicable. With the last two
nets will be shown the pictures of the win
ner, his or her home, and other interesting
jeatures. It it understood that the news
papers, so far as practicable, in printing
the last two chapters of tbe story by Har
old Macfirath, unit 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
with the mystery as an aid to a solution:
ho. I What becomes of the millionaire!
No. 2 What becomes of the $1,000,000t
No. B —TFJigoi does Florence marryf
No. 4 —What becomes of the Russian
countessf
Nobody connected either directly or tn
directly with “ The Million Hollar Mys
tery ’’ will be considered as a contestant.
Concealed mt the rendezvous of the
nieok Hundred, n nan learns of Ihe re*
covery of the bo* from the nra by , •
nnllor end of Itn subsequent return to
the bottom of the am, nod hr quickly
rommunlralra the fart to Jonea. A du
plicate bo* la planted and later srrurrd
by the bund, hut before lie rontenta are
examined th* .box mystcrloualy disap
pear*.
Plndlii* . ... fcrlf ehrckmntrd at every
turn, llrnlne endeavors lo enmesh the
llnricreave houarhold In tbe law In
ordrr to ,alu frre aereaa to the honor.
The timely dlaeovrry of the plot by
Norton an* the poller at the heel* of
the pnrk and rranlla In a raid on the
Krauk’n rendexvoua, whlrh, however,
prove* to he barren of reaulta.
The lllnek Hundred brain to fear Nor
ton and plan to dispose of him. Aasln
the unnollerd butler shows his hsnd by
rrseulua Norton nnd drfratlna Ursine.
Plnreneo nrrurrs a mysterious paper
vi hieh |a of vllal Importance to her
father's aafety. llrnlne loara hope of
srenrlua the fl.oou.ouo and turn* to re
venae.
pose,” laughed Jim. " Well, I must be on
my way to make that flyer/*
The two nhook hands and Jim hurried off.
The Imtler watched him till he disappeared
down the subway.
“He's a good lad,” he murmured, "and
a brave lad; and money la 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 ami have proved It In a thou
sand ways.”
For a long time the leather box aerosa
which was inscribed " Stanley Hargreave"
k .**» f'"'" /vs/ ‘|
Z&AJNL ANDttWAXOMJUCt FLAN THL CAFTUYX O/KLKKI. JLF,a>T
• mm
WHCXTL. HANIXf, .AKL.
box tickets for the opera had arrived. He
was informed that they had. Inatantly the
spy, who had dared to linger about the hotel,
overhearing this conversation, determined to
notify Hraine at once. And at the aumc
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 be followed to
the opera and that it was going to be diffi
cult to hand the documents to him. The
• apy entered a drug store and telephoned. Jim
waited outside. When the man came out
he (trolled up the street and entered the near
est saloon. Jim's work was done.
It was Braine'* 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 Servsn and registers from Paris. I’ll
show the fool that he has no Moujik to deal
with thia time."
“And what ar- these documents?" asked
Olga.
“ Ah. that’* what we are ao anxious to
find out. Some paper* are going to he ex
changed between this Russian spy and Jone*
or his agents. That these papers concern ns
vitally I am 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 coining 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; and 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. Tou 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. Tou know that my
future is bound up in yours. In the old days
m.v 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 Hargreave. 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. Tou trust
to me; I’ll pull out of this all right. Tou
just fix yourself up stunningly for the opera
tonight and leave the rest to me.”
Olga shrugged. She wag something of a
fatalist. This man of hers had suddenly
gone mad; and one did not reason with mad
people.
“ M hat shall T wear? ” she asked calmly.
“ Emeralds; they’re your good luck stones.
Tou will go to the box before I do. I’ve
got to spend some time at the curb to be
sure that thia 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 concern* tie, that I’m certain. Perk up;
we’ve lots of card* ia our sleeves yet. Be
at the opera at 8:30. I’ay 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. Nos-, 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 he followed. And
our enemies will have need of you far more
tonight than at any previous time. I ahall
not send you phone or written message. Ton
have your revolver. Shoot any strange man
who enter*. We’U 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 lover.
“ There is always danger when I leave this
house. 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 culminating adventure.
The usual brilliant crowd began to pour
into the opera. Bralne took his stand by
the entrance. He waited a long time, but his
patience was rewarded. A limousine drove
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 waa
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 bis hand and he curled
up in his seat again.
Servan entered his box. Tn 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,” ho
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 wae
forced to rely on the chauffeur of the lim
ousine.
As Farrar’s last thrilling note died away
Braine and Olga roae.
“Be careful. And come to the apartment*
just as soon as you can.”
“ I’ll be careful,” Braine declared easily.
“ Tou can watch the play if you wish.”
When Servan entered the limousine he waa
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 <’>eu
ments from Servan’s pocket.
“ Done, my boy! ” cried the victor. “ Glih#
him a crack on the coco and we’ll beat it.T
“ Just a minute, gentlemen! ” said a voica
from the seat at the side of the chauffeur.
“ I’ll take those papers! ” And the owner
of the voice, backed 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, m.v friend.” said Servan. shaking
himself free from his captors.
“ Don’t mention it,” said Norton almlahly.
“ We thought something like this would hap
pen. Keep perfectly quiet, you chaps. Driva
on, chauffeur ; drive on ! ”
“ Tes, m.v lord! To what particular police
station shall I head this omnibus?”
“The nearest, Jones; the very nearest yon
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 l’artegne
out of that hundred.”
Jones chockled. “ I’ll buy you a box out
of my own pocket. That hundred goes to
charity.”
“ Here we are! Out with yon,” said .Tim
to his prisoners. He shouldered them into
the police station, to the captain's desk
“ What’s this? ” demanded the captain. •/
“ Holdup men,” said Jim. “ Entered thA
man’s ear and tried to rob him.”
“ Uh-huh! An’ who’re you? ”
, Jim showed his badge and card.
“Oho! Ilcy, there; I mean you!" said
the captain, leveling a finger at Otto. “ Lift
up that hat; lift it up. Sure, it’s Foun'aia
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
compinint in th' mornin’, sir/' he added to
Servan.
“If it is necessary.”
“It may be against Otto’s pal. I don't
know him.”
“Yery well."
And Jones and Norton and Servan trooped
out of the station.
At last Jone* 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 he
called for the check.
“English? What makes yo® think t ant
English?” asked Jone* with a curious glit
ter in bis eyes.
“ I’ll tell you on the night we put the r !k
--era under Braine and company.”
Jone* stared long and intently at his young
partner. What did he really know?
ITO BE CONTINUED. J