Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-02-07

YOU WILL BE DEAD IN A MINUTE"
you do suspect Count Bantinni. and 1t
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,
get ready. I assure you 1t 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 a perspiration
broke put over his face.
"Nhat is that?" asked Kola, with a
smile.
my friend here is not responsible for
what I have done, and l hope"
"Oh, there is not a ghost of a chance
for himl" broke in the Indian. "You
can see that, Hendricks"
Lampkin was speeches. with sur
prise. He had been slow to grasp the
awful seriousness of their predicament,
but when he did it completely un-
nerved him.
Kola glanced past them at q little
clock on the wall.
"Ill give you just a minute" he said.
Sits as much time as I can afford to
allow. My Indian pal has become
shaky and threatened to desert me if
| sprung the trap on you. must pacify
him and show him how safe we are.
I could explain to your driver out there
that an accident had happened, and no
one would think of blaming me-"
Then, although their eyes were glued
to Kola's sinister face, they OBJ.
served the silk curtains behind the In.
dian stir as from a breeze, then the cur
tains parted cautiously, and Sergt.
Denham peered in. They saw from
the wondering gaze of his wide-open
eyes that he was mystiied by their un-
expected silence, their white faces, and
the half-crouching attitude Of the In
dian as he leaned over the table, his
stiff fingers on the button. Like a
flash a plan of action came to Hendricks,
and its subtility was worthy Of his great
intellect. The words he called out the
next instant he hoped would stay the
death touch Of the murderer and fur
nish a key to their predicament to Den
ham.
Hold one second!" he cried. Il
know something you ought to know,
Kola. We are completely in your pow.
er. I know that when you press that
electric button we shall be hurled into
the pit below, but you must listen"
Kola's enjoyment seemed intense.
81 don't want to hear anything from
you" he laughed. sect ready"
Hendricks drew a deep breath. The
most startling feature of the situation
was that Depham did not seem to com
prehend their peril. He half smiled as
II he thought Hendricks were playing
one of his practical jokes on his maj
before arrestlng him.
"Time's up" announced the Indian.
"Denham, jerk him backward!"yelled
Hendricks, and, in the sudden shock Of
astonishment over the puzzling com,
mand, the Indian involuntarily raised
his finger from the button, and the sit
uation seemed to flash upon Denham
LINZ PlOJSCeliC AuAlCo 1lOAA MS41S
powerful destroying machine he spranl
at Kola, He caught him by the throat
and pulled him over the back Of hi!
chair. Hendricks sprang from thu
rug, dragging the almost inactive doc
tor with him. Kola wriggled in Den
hams clutch and managed to get OF
his feet. But, with his fingers digging
into the Indians throat, the sergean'
bore him backwards over the table. II
the struggle Kola's shoulder pressed
down on the electric button. Their,
was q crash Of timbers under the loung,
just vacated, and with a duh, subter
ranean rumble the flooring over tina
spot disappeared in a yawning blacl
hole.
Hendricks was beside himself will
rage as he lowered over the now pas
sive Indian.
"oh. you dirty scamp!" he calculated
He took a pair of handouts from hi
pocket and fastened them on Kola'
wrists.
The Indians face was the color o
ashes.
"Downed me, after ALL" he said, re
signedly.
you dirty puppy" was all that Hen
bricks seemed able to say, but in
moment he was perfectly calm.
"Kola," he said, firmly. I'VE wan
Gielow."
The Indian sat down in his chair
He had grown calmer, and nov a sor
of logged. smile played over his face.
"oh, you dol" he said, almost with
sneer.
And w are going TO have him."add
ed Hsndricks.