The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-05-17
CHAPTER Xxx.

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.. Lampkin went in, And just before
getting out, when the door was reached,
Hendricks said to the sergeant:
keep good lookout, and if he
should escape US and make a break for
the front, stop him."
"All 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.
Lampkin 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:
"Oh, hello! Come right in, gentle
men,"
When they went into the room in
which Kola had entertained them tine
night before, they found the windows
darkened 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 10 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 l want to have a
talk with YOU"
81 know-I know, sit down." and
Kola 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 chair at a
table. Hendricks and Lampkin both
obeyed. The former thrust his hand
into the pocket of his overcoat an!
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
a laugh. Listen to me, Hendricks.
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 l could
hurl you both into eternity?"
A startled look flashed into the face
of tine detective. He looked above him
and then down at his feet.
81 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 gay 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 have never suspected me, but
you do suspect Count Bantinni, and ii
does not suit me to have you prying
further into his affairs. l have tried
twice to get you out of my way, and
| do not intend to fail this time Now
get ready. l assure you it is genuine
delight TO see that expression on youl
face. I'd get you a mirror Hendricks
but to do so I'd have to take my hand
oil the button
II can ask only one thing" sale
Hendricks, calmly, and a perspiratioi
broke out over his face.
What is that?" asked Kola, with
smile.
my friend here is not responsible TO
what have done, and hope"
"Oh, there is not ghost of chanc
for him!" broke in the Indian. "Yol
can see that, Hendricks"
Lampkin was speechless with sur
prise. He had been slow to grasp tn
awful seriousness of their predicament
but when he did it completely un
nerved him.
Kola glanced past them at littl
clock on the wall.
"Pll give you just a minute" he said
ITS as much time as can afford t
allow. My Indian pal has becom
shaky and threatened to desert me j
| sprung the trap on you. lmust pacif.
him and show him how safe we are
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 Koa's Sinister face, they ot
served the silk curtains behind the II
dian stir as from a breeze, tlSn the cul
tains parted cautiously, and Serg'
Denham peercd in. They saw fror
the wondering gaze of his wide-ope
eyes that he was n,ystified by their vi
expected silence, their white faces, an
the half-crouchins attitude of the II
: dian as he leaned over the table, hi
, fl fingers on the button. Like
fash plan of action came to Hendrick
and its subtility was worthy Of his grea
intellect. The words he called ou. tn
next instant he hoped would stay th
death touch of the murderer and ful
nish a key to their predicamcnt to Der
ham.
Hold one second!" he cried.
know something you ought to know
Kola. We are completely in your pow
er. know that when you press thc
electric button we shall be hurled int
the pit below, but you must listen"
Kola's enjoyment seemed intense.
y II don't want to hear anything frol
/ you," he laughed. "Get ready"
= Hendricks drew a deep breath. III
= most startling feature of the situatio
e was that Denham did not seem to con
t prehend their peril. He half smiled {
] if he thought Hendricks were playin
= | Onp of hiS nrnptical iolxps on his mn