10-Story Book, July 1931 — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

10-STORY BEGINS ITS 30TH SUCCESSFUL YEAR! 37 At her side stood a masked and black- robed figure pointing a steady finger in her face! She gavea startled cry! Then her eyes fell upon a familiar-looking ring of curiously carved design. “Mr. Colby!” she exclaimed. “You frightened me! But I suppose I deserve it. I have been very rude, as well as very foolish and head- strong. Please forgive me.” The weird figure did not answer, but motioned for her to move on down the hallway. Although recognizing the ring which she had seen on Colby’s finger, neverthe- less she was awed by the other’s garb and his strange, silent manner. She was reassured, however, by the fact that the landlady at her boarding place had told her that Mr. Colby was a gentleman, even if he had gotten drunk the day of the auction: she had never heard of his being drunk before. So Dor- ris laughed—a queer, forced little laugh it was—and said: “Mr. Colby, why the ‘Night Rider’ make-up? My visit is now over, and you may escort me to my rooms if you wish.” Still no answer from the black-robed figure; but a motion for her to continue farther. She backed a few feet more down the hallway, then suddenly stopped. “Mr. Colby,” she cried a little excit- edly; “a.joke is a joke, but this has gone far enough! I am returning home at once! Step aside, please.” With these words she darted past the other, and ran toward the front door. With a bound the figure reached her side, grasped her arm, threw his mask aside, and she saw—not Colby, but the face of a total stranger—a face so daibol- ical that she screamed in awful fear! A hand went to her mouth,—cutting the cry short—a cloth was thrown over head and she was picked up by a pair of powerful hands! From the fear—the smothering—the horror of it all!—for the first time in her life, Dorris Graydon, who thought she wanted adventure; gave way to her emotions and was carried limply the full length of the long hallway, and down a flight of stone steps! ee ee When the girl recovered consciousness, she found herself lying on the stone floor of a barred and locked room. Outside the door stood the man who had brought her there. “So, my dear young lady, you are com- ing ’round at last. Now we will get down to business.” Dorris arose and rushed to the door! —tried the bolt, and then tugged vainly at the iron bars! “You fiend!” she shouted. “You'll pay for this! Release me at once! And if your friend Mr. Colby who so generously lets you wear his ring, has gone to such extremes in his endeavor to be funny, he shall pay also!” The other smiled—an unpleasant sort of smile. “My dear young lady, Mr. Colby knows nothing of this. He is the one I am fighting. For many months I have worked here unmolested during his absence. Now he has returned and has offered this place for sale. But it musn’t be sold! It must be voluntarily given me . . I was advised yesterday by Napol- eon Bonaparte, that if I wished to con- quer the world as he had conquered it; I must begin by demanding the place where I am now located—without money and without price. “I intended to make that demand yes- terday at the auction, until I saw the buyer, and then I realized that Fate had played squarely into my hands in offer- ing you,—not only to present me with the property free of charge; but also to be used as a subject for my most mar- velous scientific work which is near at hand.” CONNICIOOKS.EO mn