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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