The Hope pioneer., 1898-12-08
CHAPTER XX,


mansion, the four occupants agreed
that, to prevent any suspicion of their
intentions entering the mind of Kola,
the sergeant and Miss Huntington
were to remain inside the carriage with
the blinds down while Hendricks and
DR.. LamplSin went in. And just before
getting out, when the door was reached,
Hendricks said to the sergeant:
keep a good lookout, and if he
should escape us and make break for
the front, stop him."
Gail right" agreed the officer, and he
smiled apologetically at Miss Hunting
ton as he took ont big revolver and
laid it on the seat between them.
Lampl1in and Hendricks had their re-
volvers cooked ready for use in the
pockets of their overcoats. 1t had
been agreed that they were to take
Kola by surprise, get him well under
fire and then calmly demand the res
toration of the prisoner.
Going up the steps, Hendricks and
Lampkin found the big front door open,
and as no one came to answer their
ring they were hesitating as to what
course to pursue when Kola thrust his
cowled head through the curtains and
called out, cheerily:
ooh, hello! Come right in, gentle
men,
When they went into the room in
which Kola had entertained them the
night before, they found the windows
Garkened and the same dim lights
burning overhead.
Il have just got up" said the Indian
with a smile. THAT performance last
night took all the strength out of me
l hope I'll never have to go through
that sort of thing again to convince
anyone of my ability in that line"
''You won't have to, my boy" replied
the detective. "But I want to have q
talk with YOU"
Il know-I know, sit down." and
Kola waved his hand at the lounge or
which he had reclined the preceding
night, but it had been moved against
the wall. He sat down in chair at !;
table. Hendricks and Lampkin botl
obeyed. The former thrust his hant
into the pocket of his overcoat anC
grasped the butt of his revolver.
'Kola," he began, 81 have reasons fol-
thinking Giclow is alive and"
''Hold on!" the Indian broke in, will
a laugh. "Listen to me, Hendricks
What if should tell you that you arc
absolutely in my power-you and YOU
friend-that simply by pressing the
electric button under my hand 1 coult
hurl you both into eternity?"
\ startled look flashed into the face
of the detective. He looked above hin
and then down at his feet.
II should believe you," he said. "AIy
God, doctor, he has trapped us!"
Don't move muscle or raise fin
ger if you want time to say your
prayers" chuckled Kola, ''for as SUI,
as you sit there you will be dead il
a minute. The rug under your fee
covers some thin boards over cavern
200 feet deep. With all your shrewd
ness you have never suspected me, bu
you do suspect Count Bantinni, and i
does not suit me to have you pryins
further into his affairs. I have triet
twice to get you out of my way, ant
1 do not intend to fail this time. Now
get ready. I assure you it is genuin
delight to see that expression on you
face. I'd get you mirror, Hendricks
but to do so I'd have to take my hant
off the button.''
II can ask only one thing" sal
Hendricks, calmly, and a perspiratio1
broke out over his face.
What is that?" asked Kcla, with
smile.
"My friend here is not responsible TO
what have done, and 1 hope"
"Oh, there is not ghost Of a chanc
for him!'' broke in the Indian. "Yo1
can see that, Hendricks.''
Lampkin was speechless with sur
prise. He had been slow to grasp tn
awful seriousness Of their predicament nj
but when he did it completely un
nerved him.
Kola glanced past them at littl
clock on the wall.
"I'll give you just minute" he said
cts as much time as I can afford t
allow. My Indian pal has becom
shaky and threatened to desert me i
sprung the trap on you. Unjust pacif.
could explain to your driver out ther
that an accident had happened, and n
one would think of blaming me-"
Then, although their eyes were glue
to Kola's sinister face, they oh
served the silk curtains behind the In
dian stir as from breeze, then the cur
tains parted cautiously, and Sergt
Denham peered in. They saw from
the wondering gaze of his wide-ope1
eyes that he was mystified by their un
expected silence, their white faces, an,
the half-crouching attitude of the In
dian as he leaned over the table, hi
stiff fingers on the button. Like
flash plan of action came to Hendricks
and its subtility was worthy of his grea
intellect. The words he called out tn
next instant he hoped would stay tn
death touch of the murderer and fur
nish key to their predicament to Den
ham.
"Hold one second!" he cried. g
know something you ought to know
kola. We are completely in your pow
er. know that when you press tina
electric button we shall be hurled int
the pit below, but you must listen"
Kola's enjoyment seemed intense.
Il don't want to hear anything from
you," he laughed. "Get ready"
Hendricks drew deep breath. Th
most startling feature of the situation
was that Denham did not seem to com
prehend their peril. He half smiled a
if he thought Hendricks were playing
one of his practical jokes on his MAJ
before arresting him.