DESPERATELY, she looked around her. The French windows loomed near at hand. With a single leap, she was beside them, opening them. She looked out into the darkness.
Then, suddenly, inspiration swept her. There was a narrow ledge extending along the side of the house, just below the windows. It led to where a latticed frame for creepers extended downward to the side yard. The framework was but a few yards away! If she could only walk the ledge to it, she might use it as a ladder to gain the ground!
To think was to act with Ellen Patrick. She quickly threw her silken calves over the window sill, and put her feet upon the ledge. Turning, she pulled the big windows shut behind her. A shattering blow upon the door of Lilmyer’s den told her that the police were at it in earnest! And their muffled curses spoke of ruffled tempers, too! Ellen smiled, grimly, and started her perilous walk.
No one had ever accused The Domino Lady of cowardice, but Ellen was no human fly. Tremors of panic shook her youthful figure as she crept along the narrow ledge on her stilted heels in the encompassing darkness. She could not see the ground, knew not how far she might fall, or what she might alight upon, should she slip.
She hugged closely to the cold stone of the wall, praying for help in her hour of desperate need; hoping the police would not think of looking out the French windows until she had somehow quitted her perilous perch.
Once, her left foot slipped, slid from the edge, and an icy sweat broke out all over her tensed body. She stood quite still for a long moment, fighting back the scream which had welled up in her soft throat. The big building seemed to be leaning outward, pushing against her back; trying to catapult her, to the earth below! Ellen panted for breath, took a firm grip on her panicky nerves. Only a few more steps.
Later, Ellen often thought of her ledge-walking stunt as the most perilous venture of her career. But at last, she reached the sturdy framework, and walked down the ladder to the ground. A little prayer of thankfulness escaped her dry lips as she felt solid earth under her feet once more! She lost no time in heading across the Lilmyer grounds towards her waiting roadster.
As she lost herself from view among the trees, a loud voice sounded from the direction of the mansion. From the sound, Ellen judged it to be coming from the French windows through which she had made her escape.
“Touey! McCoy!” the voice thundered. “Scour the grounds! That girl can’t be far away! She’s done a great night’s work, but I want her just the same! I’ll show her she can’t make a monkey out of this police department!”
Ellen laughed softly as she gained the seat of her car. Electric torches were to be seen, flashing through the trees as the detectives hunted her. But there was no fear in the heart of The Domino Lady! Once more she had escaped unscathed after a sensational coup, had cleared her name of the murder smirch, and that when the hand of every man was lifted against her! As she meshed the gears of the yellow Cad speedster, her thoughts reverted to her murdered father. How Owen Patrick, old war horse, must be enjoying her adventures and triumphs, wherever he was!
A half-sad smile curved her cerise lips as Ellen swung the powerful roadster skillfully about. Then, as her thoughts shifted to Roge McKane, she brightened. It was but a few hours until she would see the handsome young investigator. This was Saturday morning; tonight the Club Manana opening, and romance!
She trod the accelerator to the floorboards, a happy smile of expectation and anticipation on her lovely features and roared off in the direction of San Francisco.
THE END
The Domino Lady Page 16