The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-10-27

But only for second. A silent match
blazed up, and candle was lighted which
shone on strange company.
Kneeling on my chest and binding me
with vigor which i'll assorted with her
assumed character was the ''sick count.
ess." whom had seen carried on board.
Helping 10 hold me down was the Ia 3
maid who had walked by her side, whils
covering me with the shining barrel Of 4
revolver was the girl who had induced
me TO open the doors, a horrid grin on
her face in place Of tears.
There you are, friend Dutton," said
the countess" who was no other than
Red Jem himself II think you will dc
now for the few minutes we shall require
you. What pity it is that your people
have been no smart. You see that nice
new lock compelled us to get you to I've
30 obliging as TO open the door for us.
Look alive with the pigments. Bill. and
get on with your makeup"
was half dazed with the suddenness
Of the attack, but my senses were rapid
y clearing, and ! was beginning to APP
preciate the value of Captain Temples
electric bell. Whatever happened to me,
| thought, the boxes would be all right
the alarm would ring directly they
were touched.
was soon to be undeceived. was
held against the wall by the powerful
hands of Red Jem, looking strangely
fantastic in his feminine dress.
The tall "maid" who had been ad.
dressed as Bill rapidly Invested herself
Of her top clothing. Then my clothes
were taken from me, and Bill put them
on, standing revealed at last in his prop
er character Of neatly built young man
Of about my own height
AS soon as he was dressed in my clothes
he took up an actors paintbox and pro
ceeded to make sundry alterations in his
face Bit by bit the likeness grew, till
in front of me stood a counterpart Of
myself-a counterpart that my mother
might have mistaken for the original
''Now. Mr.. Dutton," said Red Jem.
you see our little game perhaps. My
friend Bill here will relieve you Of your
duties and will see the bonds safely
ashore. Katie will take Bills place as q
much more appropriate maid and will
escort me-the sick Comtesse de Bruno
back to her cabin while the coast is clear
Neat, isn't it,"
Yes" said, but what are you go
ing to do with mel"
"Ah, my dear friend, he replied, with
horrid grin on his painted face, "thai
ia the sad part of it. You have got tc
die, Dutton. I'm sorry, but 100000
is worth mans life Bill, where's that
knife? Nobody would be likely to hear
the pistol down here. but it's best to make
sure"
My counterfeit drew a glittering dag
ger from the clothes he had removed
and gave it to Red Jem.
There was but one chance for me, and
that was to ring the electric bell. Tc
shout would be to incur certain death
and tho odds were that in that out of the
way place, amid the rush of water anc
the noise of the paddles. no one would
hear my cry.
But how to get free in time
II suppose you will give me two min
utes to make my peace?'' said
"Oh, yes. if you think it worth Will,
to prolong the agony" said the thief
only be quick about it,"
at may seem odd to you. but hav,
scruples about these Matters" / said
Would you object to loosing this stral
round my legs so that can l1neel? Yor
see it is impossible to escape with thu
door locked and three of you here"
| th. ~ -. q
world" replied the bloodthirsty scoun
drel, and he stuoped and unbuckled thu
strap. There. get to your prayers ant
don't be long about it. You can us,
your precious bondboxes as a desk. i
you like"
In those last words he sealed his owl
fate and that of his companions.
Outwardly calm, but in reality trem
bling with excitement, | assumed de
votional attitude in the corner of tn,
goldroom. resting my elbows on the TOT
of the uppermost box. With my knee
gently pushed the lower one so as t
bring a strain ON the wire.
Once, twice. thrice, | pressed it ant
then knelt down in prayer, which it i
| Ntll NtlAtiiAl " 40 NV All Hmm btlltNts
Red Jem and his companions wer,
whispering by the door, and from tn
scraps of conversation that reached m,
| learned that my body was to b.
thrown overheard.
Now, young man, times up" sal,
the principal villain at length, advancin.
to where knelt, but as he did so knew
that | was saved.
There was a hurried rush of many fee
outside. the door was thrown open, an,
Captain Temple, pistol in hand and fol
lowed 10y half dozen men. burst in.
For moment he was puzzled at thu
likeness between me and the robbie
known as Bill, but he soon grasped tn
situation. Red Jem and his gang will
not trouble the Dover mailboats 70
many day, and have since heard tina
his wife-the Katie who so cleverly i'm
posed upon me in the saloon and after
ward held pistol to my head-died il
prison.
After all, it was the captains inven
ton. and not my care of the goldroon
key which saved the company's property
and. what is not of SO much Importance
the life Of one of its servants.-Bostoi
Globe.