Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-09-19
CHAPTER Xxx.

AS the carriage was ascending the
gradual incline of the rugged road
through the woods surrounding the old
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.. .Lampl1in went in. And just before
getting. out, when the door was reached,
Hendricks said to thessergeant:
keep good lookout, and if he
should escape US and make break for
the front, stop him."
"All right" agreed the officer, and he
smiled apologetically at Miss Hunting
ton as he took out big revolver and
laid it on the seat between them.
Lampllin 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 we'll under
fire and then calmly demand the res
toration of the prisoner.
Going up the steps, Hendricks and
Lampkin found the bigfront 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
darkened and the same dim lights
burning overhead.
81 have just got up" said the Indian,
with a smile. "That performance last
night took all the strength out of me
i 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 / want to have a
talk with you"
81 know-I know, sit down." and
+KoIa waved his hand at the lounge on
which he had reclined the preceding
night, but it had been moved against
the wall. He sat down in a chair at a
table. Hendricks and Lamplin both
obeyed. The former thrust his hand
into the pocket of his overcoat and
grasped the butt of his revolver.
"Kola," he began, 81 have reasons for
thinking Gielow is alive and"
Hold on!" the Indian broke in, with
ct
What if should tell you that you are
absolutely in my power--you and your
friend-that simply by pressing the
electric button under my hand I could
hurl you both into eternity?"
4 startled LOOK flashed into the face
of the detective. he looked above him
and then down at his feet.
II should believe you," he said. "My
God, doctor, he has trapped us!"
Don't move muscle or raise fin
ger if you want time to say your
prayers" chucl1led Kola, ''for as sure
as you sit there you will be dead in
minute. The rug under your feet
covers some thin boards over a cavern
200 feet deep. With all your shrewd-
ness you nave neVerSuspected me, DuI
you do suspect Count Bantinni, and it
does not suit me to have you prying
further into his affairs. I have tried
twice to get you out of my way, and
I do not intend to fail this time. Now
- -,o"1r assure Won it is a genuine
delight to see that expression on your
face. I'd get you a mirror, Hendricks
but to do so I'd have to take my hand
off the button"
81 can ask only one thing" said
Hendricks, calmly, and perspiration
broke out over his face.
What is that?" asked Kola, with g
smile.
My friend here is not responsible fol
what [ have done, and [ hope"
''Oh, there is not q ghost Of chance
for him. broke in the Indian. "You