Batgirl's Rescue - Part 03

The first meeting of Lance Morgan's rescue team took place at 8 pm in Police Commissioner Gordon's office. The purpose of the gathering was to introduce the team members and assign duties. After the meeting the group would divide with Alfred and Edmond moving to the Bat Cave and the rest remaining in Gotham City.

Alfred and his assistant would help coordinate the citizen search teams that tomorrow would begin the difficult task of locating the Joker and his vile gang of felons. They would be processing huge amounts of data on the Bat Computer which would help direct the search teams to their goal. Another task was to evaluate any intelligence that could be of value to help ferret the crippled criminal from his hidden lair.

With the exception of Laura Graham the rest of the team would be in standby mode until the Joker's location was determined. At the moment Laura had the most difficult task as later on in the evening she would begin her impersonation of Batgirl. The beauty with the flaming red tresses was going to attempt to convince the Joker that the woman he held as a prisoner was not really Batgirl.

In less than hour Alfred would take Miss Graham to Barbara Gordon's apartment where she would begin the transformation to become Batgirl. Laura was thrilled at the chance to portray Gotham City's favorite super heroine. Alfred on the other hand was filled with doubt as to whether the young martial arts instructor would be a believable crime fighter.

Now that assignments had been made the real work now began. While some members of the team would be quite busy in the next few hours others would have to endure the monotony of waiting. Lance was however heartened by the enthusiasm of his rather unique band. They knew their tasks and would not let their ego's interfere with the job of freeing the Bat Beauty from the Clown Prince of Crime. While the bankers admonition of "Let's be careful out there" still rang in their ears the team dispersed.

An hour later Alfred Pennyworth led a blindfolded Laura Graham into Barbara Gordon's darkened apartment. They entered the bedroom and then passed through the hidden door into the Bat Lair. The butler turned on the lights and then removed the blindfold from his companion. The room filled the young redhead with wonder.

There were racks and drawers filled with clothing and costumes. The shelves on the wall contained expensive crime fighting equipment. In the corner of the room was Batgirl's state of the art computer system. Laura Graham was totally impressed with everything the room contained. Not wasting a moment Alfred began his job as tutor.

"Now Miss Laura you are now in Batgirl's secret room. Until you are given permission to leave the building I must implore you to remain here. If you leave this room you will undoubtedly discover Miss Batgirl's true identity. Do you understand?" The young beauty replied,

"Yes, I understand. You have given me such a great honor and I will not betray the trust you have shown in me!" Alfred exclaimed, "Excellent Miss Laura! I guess we start with the costume. I will go into the other room while you change. Everything you need is here." The man servant then passed through the secret door and left the red haired beauty alone.

Laura quickly assembled the components of the Batgirl costume. Down from a wall rack came a shimmering purple body suit while from another rack came a lustrous purple and gold cape. The young woman pulled a pair of dazzling purple ankle boots from a shoe rack and gleaming purple gloves from the vanity. Also on the vanity was an exquisite purple satin bra and matching thong.

The martial arts instructor then removed her street clothes which consisted of a gray sweat shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes and white cotton underwear. Now totally nude Laura began the exciting transformation. She loved the cool sensuous feel of the satin bra and thong as she slipped them on her body. This was nothing compared to the vibrant shock the beauty received when she slid her arms and legs into the sensuous purple body suit. All at once Laura felt a massive flow of energy in to her body from sizzling garment as soon as it touched her skin

The one real concern the young woman had about the costume where the gleaming Bat Boots. You never knew about another woman's shoe size. Fortunately the shiny purple ankle boots where a perfect fit. She then donned glistening elbow length satin Bat Gloves which easily slipped on. The police woman was thrilled as she buttoned on the delectable purple and gold satin Bat Cape whose main task was to conceal Laura's shapely derriere.

The beauty then picked up a hair brush and stroked her long red main into the shoulder length style of the Bat Beauty. The last item was of course the shiny Bat Cowl which would hide her identity. Laura took a glistening cowl from its wooden stand and lowered it slowly on to her head and buttoned the strap which ran under her luscious locks. With the costume now complete Laura looked into the full length mirror mounted on the wall.

Laura Graham could not believe the image in the mirror. There was a shimmering image of purple and gold as the overhead light continually glittered off of the cowl, cape, body suit, gloves and boots. An electric tingle ran through the young police woman. As she stared at her image she felt an immense and total confidence in herself and believed that she could do anything. The total effect of the costume thrilled Laura as she called for Alfred to return to the liar

When the man servant stepped through the door he could not believe his eyes. There standing before him was the Bat Beauty just as if she were getting ready for her next crime patrol. Laura joyfully greeted him,

"Well, what do you think?" Alfred calmly replied,"It appears Miss Batgirl has a twin!" The stand in Bat Beauty replied,

"Until I put this costume on I have always wondered why Batgirl does what she does. But now, I know why!" The Englishman commented, "Yes, I rather imagine the costume is most exhilarating to wear." Laura exclaimed,

"Alfred, it is a lot more than exhilarating!" The butler frowned as he replied, "Dear me!"

A look of deep concern came over Laura's face as if Alfred had somehow detected a fatal flaw that would prevent her from impersonating the Caped Crusadress. In a near panic moment the police woman exclaimed,

"What's wrong Alfred, tell me?" The man servant quietly remarked,

"It is your voice Miss Laura! Miss Batgirl has a very low and very sultry voice. Your voice is much higher. But don't worry. There isn't much we can do about it other than have you speak as little as possible in public. When you do, speak as low as you possible can. Right, let's get on with the utility belt."

The man servant picked up a golden utility belt and then explained each compartment on the belt as well as the contents contained in it. He showed Laura the secret clasp for buckling the golden belt on and off. Alfred then did the honor of buckling the belt around the bold beauty's shapely hips.

The Englishman next took the booted beauty through the circular door into the freight elevator which contained the Batgirlcycle. Alfred patiently explained all of the controls on the machine as well as its special features such as the radio communication and low light video sensors. These would be critical during Laura's first crime patrol as Alfred planned on monitoring her every move.

The last items were the elevator controls and the access code to open the door into the street. The elderly man informed the caped cutie that when the patrol was completed she would not be returning to the Bat Lair but would be directed to a safe house. There she would remain until the next patrol the following evening.

Alfred asked if Laura had any questions. As the new Bat Beauty had no specific ones the butler prepared to leave. He informed Laura that after stopping to pick up Edmond at Police Headquarters he was returning to the Bat Cave. Once there he would contact her on the Bat Cell phone. The bold beauty would then switch to communications to the Batgirlcycle. Once voice and video feeds from the cycle were established Laura would be granted permission to begin her first Batgirl crime patrol.

With the butler now gone Laura Graham sat quietly in the lair and reveled in new her role as a substitute Batgirl. The costume was pure heaven to wear and she could not wait to get on the streets to operate the powerful Ninja cycle. The curved crime fighter at the same time cautioned herself against becoming cocky.

She was playing an extremely important role. While it was obvious that she looked like Batgirl it was more important that she act exactly like the shimmering seductress. For the fiftieth time she reviewed the major components of Batgirl's unique fighting style. The great importance of the Batgirl's showgirl style kick was always to be remembered. While a bit nervous Laura Graham was completely ready for the nights work to begin.

The evening had grown late when Alfred and Edmond Curse arrived back at stately Wayne Manor. The elderly Englishman led his blindfolded companion directly to the Bat Cave. When the blindfold was removed from his eyes the many technological marvels present in cavern astounded Edmond. The atomic reactor was awesome as well the communications area with ten huge monitors.

The real interest for Edmond was of course the Bat Computer. As full blooded techno geek the young man was overwhelmed by the massive Crey super computer. He couldn't wait to be given the chance to operate such an impressive piece of equipment.

Alfred began by informing Edmond that until the mission was completed he would not be leaving the facility and that he must remain in the Bat Cave at all times. The young man observed that after seeing the cavern that he had no desire to go any where else. The butler assured the young man that anything he required would be made available to him upon request. Finally Alfred gave Edmond a brief tour of the facility while cautioning him all the while not to touch or operate things that were unfamiliar to him.

With the tour complete Alfred attempted to excuse himself saying that it was time to start Miss Laura's crime patrol. Intrigued by the possibility of observing the substitute Batgirl in action Edmond asked the man-servant if it were possible for him to observe Laura's first mission. Surprised by the young man's interest in something not computer related Alfred readily agreed to the company.

The man-servant then picked up the phone and dialed the number to the Batgirl cell phone. Laura Graham answered on the first ring. Alfred then advised the booted beauty to gather up her street clothes and move to the Batgirlcycle. Laura hung up the cell phone and did as directed.

After placing her clothes in a storage compartment on the machine Laura mounted the Batgirlcycle and enabled the control console. She slipped an ear phone in her left ear and clipped a wireless microphone to the lustrous satin cape that surrounded her pretty neck. Next was the all important communication check. In moments the lovely voice of Laura Graham was heard in the Bat Cave,

"Batgirl to Batcave, Batgirl to Batcave over." Alfred quickly replied,

"Batcave to Batgirl, read you loud and clear. Please adjust the video camera on the console over." In mere seconds the flawless face of the masked maid appeared on a huge overhead monitor. Edmond remarked, "She is lovely!" The butler exclaimed,

"Yes, she is indeed lovely." Laura was then instructed to engage the freight elevator In less than a minute the Batgirlcycle and its rider passed through a sliding door and into a dark alley. A serious question was heard in the ear piece,

"Are we ready Miss Laura I mean Miss Batgirl?" Her heart somewhat a flutter the red haired beauty remarked, "As ready as I will ever be. Let her buck!"

A second after her right thumb depressed the starter button the engine roared to life, The Caped Crusadress stepped on shift pedal and eased off the clutch. The Batgirlcycle began smoothly accelerate out of the alley. As the bike picked up speed Batgirl switched on the lights and adjusted the front video camera.

Alfred felt that a short period of acclimation to the machine was necessary. He advised Batgirl to head for the downtown area. While she became familiar with the Batgirlcycle and its characteristics many citizens would undoubtedly notice the shimmering bike rider with a cape flowing behind her. As she rode slowly through Gotham Square Batgirl waved at all the passer's bye.

After a half an hour of riding Alfred radioed,

"Batcave to Batgirl how is the ride?" Laura Graham was in absolute heaven. She was dressed in an incredibly sexy crime fighter costume while riding an unbelievably powerful and sophisticated motorcycle. One could not ask for more. She replied,

"Batgirl to Batcave, I am very comfortable Alfred. This is the smoothest bike I have ever ridden. There is no vibration at all." Now satisfied that Laura was capable of operating the Batgirlcycle Alfred vectored the daring damsel into a high crime area hopefully to make her first arrest.

The criminal underworld rejoiced with Batgirl's public surrender to the Joker. It was common knowledge that the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder were out of town. The only opposition remaining was Gotham City's overworked police force. With the terrific trio now unavailable anything seemed possible.

Batgirl had just turned off a main traffic artery when she noticed three young toughs each holding a club had just forced a well dressed man against a building. The booted beauty almost rode her machine on top of the three punks before it slammed to stop. She quickly dismounted and assumed the patented hands on the hip stance and remarked,

"Well what do we have here? Three little muggers!'" The young toughs turned and looked in total disbelief at the voice behind them. As if it were not possible they all exclaimed at the same time the word, "Batgirl!" The Bat Beauty smiled and curtsied to her opponents. With a wild yell the three attacked.

For Alfred and Edmond watching events unfold in the Bat Cave from the video feed from the cycle what happened next was almost inexplicable. When the three miscreants charged Batgirl went into action.

In less than a second the Caped Crusadress went from being stationary to a shimmering blur of purple and gold. Batgirl's speed was so great the video camera could not possibly record all of the punches, chops, kicks and other assorted blows that the daring damsel had inflicted on the muggers. In less than a minute all three were on the street moaning in agony. One thing was certain however the final blow to all three came from the patented showgirl kick.

The caped crime fighter quickly Batcuffed the three crooks and called for assistance from the Gotham Police. She then checked on the potential victim. The older man thanked Batgirl profusely for her help. He knew he should not be in this section of the city at night alone but he had obligations to perform.

When the police came to claim the three thugs Batgirl mounted her bike, turned on the radio and inquired,

"Well Alfred how did I do?" With an enthusiasm not heard in many years Alfred replied,

"Miss Batgirl you were absolutely marvelous! You take my breath away!"

The patrol resumed as Batgirl broke up two more muggings, a rape and two armed robberies. Batgirl performed superbly in every instance. The butler did notice a rather disturbing trait of the shimmering seductress. In every fight Batgirl paid no attention at all to what was happening behind her. This was a dangerous flaw which the man –servant continually pointed out.

Shecky Smith was a small time hoodlum and part time member of the Joker's gang. In the morning Shecky was scheduled to join the Joker at his old hide out. Tonight however with the Bat family out of action the hoodlum was determined to take advantage of the situation by pulling some armed robberies on the wealthy citizens of the city. With his partner Al Lamont acting as his back up the two thieves headed for what they thought would easy pickings on the west side of town.

The two men picked an ideal location for robberies in an alley between two large co-op buildings that reeked of money. Five minutes after they had arrived their first victim came into view. She was a middle aged woman dressed in diamonds and fur. While Al remained in the alley Shecky rushed up to the woman and pulled his revolver. With the terrified woman as his prisoner hoodlum pointed her toward the alley.

A split second later came the high pitched whine of a motorcycle. Batgirl after having completed what she thought was her first crime patrol was on her way to the designated safe house where she would stay until her next patrol. As the Caped Crusadress made her way through the west side of town she noticed the woman in fur walking alone. As sort of a public service Batgirl decided to slowly follow the woman until she reached her destination. Just she made the turn into Garden Street the bold beauty saw the start of Shecky's robbery attempt. The dazzling damsel poured on the speed and then screeched to a stop three feet from the woman. Blinded by the intense light from the bike the hoodlum attempted to hold the woman at gun point.

Unable to see Shecky looked down at his snub nosed pistol and saw a dazzling purple ankle boot slam into his hand and send the gun flying into the street. Batgirl infuriated by the cowardly robbery began to pummel the perpetrator. Numerous punches and two showgirl kicks to the man's face drove him to his knees. Batgirl was about to finish the matter when her lack of attention to her surroundings came into play.

In the Bat Cave Alfred and Edmond watched in horror as Al Lamont crept up behind the booted beauty. The pug fired a massive blow into Batgirl's spine driving her to her knees. He followed it up with a brutal kick to the masked maid's abdomen. The now helpless heroine was doubled over in tremendous pain when she saw the hoodlum start to deliver the final blow.

The cowled crime fighter knew she had one chance or she would be defeated thus ending her short career as Batgirl. As Al Lamont's right leg started forward the caped cutie grabbed the leg with both arms while pushing up with her legs. The over 250 pound thug began to lose his balance and fell to the sidewalk. In an instant the crime fighter was on top of the pug pummeling him with her fists.

Shecky Smith also in agony now saw his partner's awful predicament. The vile hoodlum a total coward got to his feet and ran for the alley. He gave no thought of coming to his comrade's assistance. By the time Batgirl had subdued Al, Shecky was long gone.

When the Gotham's finest had arrived and removed the prisoner Batgirl walked back to her bike and keyed the microphone.

"Well I didn't do that one very well. I almost got my butt kicked." Alfred replied,

"A hard but very necessary lesson Miss Batgirl! You won't make the mistake again I am sure."

It was almost dawn when Batgirl arrived at the safe house. Initially the dazzling dare doll planned on removing her cowl and gloves so she could kick back and relax for several hours. She could not bear the thought after her very successful premier this evening of removing the rest of the costume. It made her feel so alive and confident.

After she shut done the Batgirlcycle the bold beauty radioed her mentor located in the Bat Cave

"I am here at the safe house Alfred. When do you want me tonight?" Alfred then replied,

"The same time as this evening will be sufficient. One more thing however," Batgirl remarked, "Yes Alfred!" In a somber tone the butler exclaimed,

"Miss Laura when you go up stairs to the apartment make sure you remove the costume."

The shimmering seductress confused that she was once again Laura and not Batgirl replied, "Why Alfred?" The butler exclaimed in the same somber tone.

"During my tenure with the family it has been my experience that sometimes we become to infatuated with alternative personalities that we portray. For several hours this day you were Miss Batgirl and you performed brilliantly. You were much better than I ever expected you to be. However that time is now past and it is now time to become Miss Laura. You must remember that this is a temporary assignment. When we rescue Miss Batgirl and we shall, she will undoubtedly want to assume her normal role as a crime fighter."

Laura Graham immediately saw the pitfall that she was heading for and was very grateful for Englishman's advice. She remarked

"Thank you for advice Alfred. You are very wise." Alfred sheepishly replied,

"It is not wisdom my dear merely experience. Besides I am sure you will want to avail yourself of the many sensuous as well as naughty "goodies" that reside in the boudoir. Please feel free to try on anything that strikes your fancy as it part of the benefits you are entitled to while on this assignment. Good night Miss Laura!"

Early the next morning Shecky Smith with two large black eyes pounded on the back door of the former Jester Novelty Company. An eye looked through the peep hole and then the door swung open and admitted the hoodlum. Inside the building Shecky saw the Joker in conversation with the Scarecrow who had also recently arrived. The crippled criminal at once noticed the beating one of his top underlings had received and motioned to him. The Clown Prince of Crime immediately inquired,

"Shecky what happened to you? You look terrible!" The vile hood replied,

"Batgirl is what happened to me! I thought you had her on ice Joker?" The jester remarked,

"I do! She is in the next room chained to a wall!" Shecky looked at his crime boss in disbelief and exclaimed,

"Oh, yeah? Well someone is riding around on the Batgirlcycle who managed to slam two of her damn Bat Boots into my face." Joker's joyful attitude suddenly changed to one of deep concern as he replied,

"Say, you don't suppose the cops pulled the old switcheroo on us?" Shecky exclaimed, "I don't know Joker but you sure picked a lousy hide out!" The now not so jolly jester now began to anger at his underling's criticism declared,

"What's wrong with this place?" Shecky rolled his eyes at the white faced clown and replied,

"Joker how many times have we used this dump? Plenty! When the CST's hit the streets tonight this place will be first on the list!" The Joker now confused inquired,

"What the hell is a CST?" The battered thug who could not believe the Joker's total ignorance of the present situation screamed,

"Civilian Search Team! A guy named Morgan has signed up ten thousand people to scour the city to look for you and they start tonight at six! Don't you read the papers?" Joker was totally stunned. The sheep as he had contemptuously described the citizens of Gotham City would soon begin to search for him. It was unbelievable to the criminal whose arrogance was so complete that the actions of others, was absolutely of no concern to him. The Scarecrow now interjected,

"Well Joker you have two problems to solve before I can start!" Joker still is shock remarked. "What problems?" The foppish chemist exclaimed,

"First you have to make sure you have the right Batgirl! I only have enough stuff for one crack at her. Secondly I have to have a safe place to work and this place is obviously not safe. I suggest we leave immediately." Shecky Smith looked at Scarecrow with pure disbelief as he declared,

"Sure genius we leave here in broad daylight. We won't get a mile before somebody spots us. We have to wait until dark to move. At the same time we need look outs posted in case they don't wait."

The Scarecrow began to protest until the small time hood pulled the Gotham Times from his coat and threw it at the strawman. The front page had full size pictures of Joker, Harly and Scarecrow. The Clown Prince of Crime then sank slowly into a chair as he ordered Shecky to post look outs. He was in a terrible funk. What had begun with such promise two days ago had now fallen apart. Harly came over to comfort her man but he waved her away at the last second. Joker was in deep despair

In the next room Batgirl had just been released for her ten minute break. Reading the worried faces of her guards it was certain something was happening. A half hour earlier Joker had been in joyously announcing Scarecrows arrival. Yet he had not entered the room to begin the preparation of his vile concoctions that he would use to try and break her.

It was obvious to the Bat Beauty that something had occurred which was interfering with the Joker's master plan of revenge. Just what had happened the Caped Crusadress did not wish to speculate on. She however wanted to capitalize on the situation.

As Batgirl walked around the cage with her hands behind her back she began to remove ten of the Bat Antidote pills sewn in the hem of her cape. With her back to the now nervous sentinels she slipped the pills into the folds of the lustrous Bat Cape fastened around her lovely neck. The booted beauty hoped that before Scarecrow injected her with his hideous drugs she would be able to swallow several antidote pills.

Shecky Smith was wrong on the start time for the Civilian Search Teams. They did not begin the search for the Bat Beauty at six they began at noon. Lance Morgan had issued a false start time to throw off the Joker and his evil band. At precisely twelve noon, ten one hundred person search teams stepped off heading for all of the Joker's previous lairs. As the day progressed more teams would take to the streets and join in effort.

All the teams were linked by radio to processing center were all reports from the volunteers would be analyzed. The entire effort was put together by Lance Morgan's friends, associates and operatives in a mere thirty six hours. It was an unbelievable marvel of skill and organization. Once the search process was begun it would continue around the clock until Batgirl was freed.

All target buildings would be thoroughly searched by each team and the results relayed to the center. After the search was completed one volunteer remained behind to insure the Joker and his miscreants did not appear and reoccupy the site. Every means possible was being used to force Joker to flee for his life. Once he was one the move the pressure would be steadily increased until the crippled criminal finally surrendered.

Meanwhile as the early hours of the afternoon began to tick away in the Jester Novelty Co. the Joker, Harly Quinn and Scarecrow wrestled with the problem of determining if the Batgirl they held as hostage was the right one. The three felons attempted to come up with a solution. They had no access to DNA testing and getting a sample from the Batgirl who pummeled Shecky was impossible. Several additional schemes were rejected as impractical.

Finally after two hours of effort the Joker found a solution. In his early days as a criminal the jolly clown specialized in kidnapping wealthy people. In order to have success it was always necessary to verify that the victim kidnapped was indeed the right person. This was done with a voice analyzer. A voice sample from the hostage was compared to one of the target.

The only problem was the analyzer was not at their present location but hidden away at another site. It would have to be retrieved this evening under the cover of darkness. For now the only thing to be done was to wait for the blackness of night to descend on the city. The three super villains and five underlings sweated out the time.

Then around three in the afternoon a Civilian Search team provided the necessary amount of excitement. The only thing the Joker had done right this day was post a look out. The gang member spotted the approach of the search time team and gave the alarm.

The gang quickly responded by gathering their personal belongings and throwing them into two large vans. The Bat Beauty still shackled to the wall saw the commotion of the gang and prayed her rescue was now at hand. She planned to try an escape as soon as her boots and gloves were released from the wall.

Unfortunately a chloroform laced rag was placed over her face until she was almost unconscious. The restraints were removed and the booted beauty was then pushed into the center of the cage. Batgirl's arms were placed behind her back and handcuffed. At the same time a thick rope was wound around the stunning purple Bat Boots which were tightly bound together. The largest goon then placed the Caped Crusadress over his shoulder and carried her to a waiting van. In less than four minutes the Joker and his miscreants had fled the building and where on their way to another location.

When the search team arrived in the building there were plenty of clues that the novelty company had very recently been occupied. Whether or not by the Joker and his ilk was mere conjecture. An analysis of the steel cage and the shackles on the wall proved other wise. It was obvious someone had been restrained to the wall. A sharp eyed volunteer noticed two letters scratched into the paint on the floor. Under the shackle for the left foot was a B and under the right was a G. It was plain to everyone on the team that Batgirl had used the spike heels on her Bat Boots to scratch the letters into the paint

Lance Morgan was thrilled that they had come so close in the first hours of the search. It was plain that the Joker was now on the run. His chances to carry out his revenge on the Bat Beauty were now well diminished. How could he torture the daring damsel if he was constantly on the run? Was the crippled crime lord even sure he had the right Batgirl. The newspapers and television news was filled with pictures of Laura Graham's crime patrol as Batgirl. Lance smiled widely as he thought, "The Joker is on the run and I plan to keep him there!"

At nine pm that evening Laura Graham prepared for her second crime patrol. She had spent an interesting day exploring all the mysteries of the safe house. On arriving early this morning the red haired beauty as advised removed the Batgirl costume. A search of the boudoir revealed many exquisite nighties and negligees. Laura wished her boyfriend Officer Derek Johnson was there so she could model some the more gorgeous outfits for him

Ultimately after a hot shower Laura slipped into a shimmering silver satin robe and crawled under the glistening comforter that covered a four post bed. After a good eight hours of sleep the policewoman awoke with some bruises and some very sore muscles thanks to Al Lamont. She then spent the rest of her time lounging and reviewing her performance on the patrol which she rated as fair.

With patrol time fast approaching Laura Graham donned the shimmering as well as the sensuous Batgirl costume. Once dressed she felt the same rush of power and confidence as the night before. The Dark Knight Damsel counted off the minutes until it was time to head to the garage and the fabulous Batgirlcycle.

On reaching the garage Batgirl energized the control console to establish the very critical communications with the Bat Cave. She keyed her wireless microphone,

"Batgirl to Bat Cave, come in!" Ah Englishman's voice replied "Bat Cave here! Right on time as usual Miss Batgirl." The caped cutie replied

"I am ready for my patrol Alfred!" The butler replied,

"Splendid Miss Batgirl! Once you leave the safe house I want you to proceed to the Bush Park area. The police are reporting numerous muggings and robberies in the downtown district and would like assistance. Once you clear that zone perhaps you should return to the upper west side to again protect our more wealthy citizens as you did last night. When you do finish return to the house and report in." Laura was stunned that tonight she would be on her own.

"Alfred, are you sure you want to do it this way? The man servant heartily exclaimed.

"Oh dear me yes! Since the search began Master Edmond and I have been processing data at a furious pace and we are falling behind. Besides you don't need me nagging at you. Last night you were superb! No one but the real Miss Batgirl could have done better. Just be careful and watch your back! Bat Cave out!"

As Laura Graham a.k.a. Batgirl began her crime patrol Shecky Smith and Harly Quinn had just pulled out of Gunther's Amusement Park on their way to the old Ashford Toy factory. The play land at the present time was the Joker's newest lair. The experienced hoodlum and the masked harlequin had been sent to retrieve the voice analyzer hidden under the floor in the main office.

The escape from the novelty company had been a very close thing. During the ride to the park Joker, Harly and the Scarecrow hugged the floor of the van they were in hoping no one would see them. When they arrived at Gunther's they took up residence in the haunted house. The macabre atmosphere did little to improve the Joker's already sour mood. Being chased by the sheep of Gotham City was an unbelievable humiliation for the Clown Prince of Crime.

On arriving at the toy factory Shecky and Harly were overjoyed to see that a search team had already tossed the place. Now certain that they would not be interrupted in their work the two villains began searching for the device. Unfortunately for the crooks they had failed to notice the volunteer from the search party who had remained behind. A recall alert was now issued on the Ashford Factory bringing a swarm of searchers as well as the police. Shecky and Harly had searched for twenty minutes when Harly finally remembered the hidden location. But it took several minutes for the hoodlum to pry up the floor boards to retrieve the machine. The villains then heard the approach of voices and footsteps. The two crooks decided to split up and leave in different directions.

The male thief left the office with the analyzer by the back door while Harly exited the front. As she moved down the main corridor the vile sneak soon realized she was in serious trouble as the sound of voices grew louder. The little trickster quickly ducked into another dark corridor. The passage ran about thirty feet before it came to a dead end.

The sound of voices became even louder and convinced the female jester that she was trapped. With footsteps just ten feet away Harly curled into a little ball on the floor and hoped no one would detect her in the dark passage. For a moment it looked as if her incredible luck would hold until a voice of the end of the search column yelled,

"Hey wait a minute! I see something on the floor." In seconds the corridor was bathed in light from over twenty lanterns and flash lights. A male volunteer walked over to the apparent bundle of cloth and pulled the villainess to her feet. Now blinded by all of the light Joker's main squeeze heard the man exclaim the dreaded words.

"What have we here? Why it looks like Harly Quinn!"

At almost the same moment Batgirl had just completed her very successful crime sweep of the Bush Park section of the city. The Caped Crusadress had broken up four muggings, three robberies and two attempted rapes. All told twelve perps were now on their way to central booking. The booted beauty was just about to head for the west side when the radio on the Batgirlcycle crackled to life with Alfred's voice

"Bat Cave to Batgirl over!" The shimmering seductress replied,

"Batgirl here! What's up Alfred?" The butler exclaimed,

"Master Lance wants you at Police Headquarters immediately. A Citizen Search Patrol is just now bringing in Harly Quinn."

HOLY " LET'S MAKE A DEAL"

Batgirl is still being held prisoner but Harly Quinn has just been arrested. Will the Joker trade the Bat Beauty for his Harlequin?