Willmar tribune., 1899-02-08
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
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 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.
Lamplin and Hendricks had their re-
volve1's cooked ready for use in the
pockets of their overcoats. It 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 the
night before, they found the windows
darkened and the same dim lights
burning overhead.
II 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 I want to have a
talk with you"
II 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 a chair at
table. Hendricks and Lampkn both
obeyed. The former thrust his hand
into the pocket of his overcoat and
grasped the butt of his revolver.
"Kola, ".he began, II 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 1 could
hurl you both into eternity?"
A 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 a fin,
ger if you want time to say your
prayers" chuclcled Kola, ''for as sure
as you sit there you will be dead in
a 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 it
does not suit me to have you prying
further into his affairs. 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 it is genuine
delight to see that expression on your
face. I'd get you mirror, Hendricks,
but to do so I'd have to take my hand
off the button"
II can ask only one thing" said
Hendricks, calmly, and perspiration
broke out over his face.
'What is that?" asked Kola, with a
smile.
my friend here is not responsible for
what have done, and I hope"
"Oh, there is not ghost of a chance
for him!" broke in the Indian. ''You
can see that, Hendricks"
Lampkin was speechless with sur
prise. He had been slow to grasp the
awful seriousness of their predicament,
but when he did it completely un-
nerved him. III, = -. ~. .. .
Kola glanced past them at little
clock on the wall. 5.t.* .z j.. = ~ss. :2 rs: s:s,.