Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-11-08
CHAPTER XXI.-CoNTINUED.


and whistled long and loud, after
which he placed his ear to the mouth
piece.
81 hear some one walking" he sud
denly exclaimed.
The two men listened in breathless
silence for an answering call.
"Well, gentlemen, what can do for
you?"
The words came in Murdock's voice.
= Sprague's eyes met those of the re-
porter and saw that the last faint glim-
mer of hope was gone. In that swift
and silent interchange of thought
there was resignation to the inevitable
doom and the final farewell of two
brave hearts.
The spluttering candle gave its last
flicker and went out, leaving the pris-
,oners in utter darkness.
The room was rapidly filling with
gas and they were beginning to feel its
effects.
eve can at least complete our task
before we die" said Sturgis, with grim
determination.
>'Our task"
"Yes, and insure Murdock's convic-
TtIon for our murder
''What chance is there that anyone
will ever discover our bodies, since they
are destined for Murdock's oblivion
.ank?"
''Give me your hand" Sturgis re-
piled; there is a box of matches. /
place it here, between us. within easy
reach. / want to write a few words
to the superintendent of police to ex-
plain matters. BY that time there
will be enough gas in the room to
produce terrific explosion, when we
an wrecking this place and calling at
fention to it. If l should succumb
before you do, do not fail to light
the match"
While he was speaking the reporter
had taken from his pocket pad and
q pencil and had begun to write as
rapidly as he could in the darkness.
Sprague's head was beginning to
swim and his ears were ringing, but
the thought of Agnes Murdock was
uppermost in his mind.
-An explosion!" he exclaimed; "no,
no; that must not be. What of
Agnes? She may be hurt?"
Sturgis continued writing.
at is the only chance there is of
bringing Murdoch to justice" he said,
firmly.
"But Agnes is innocent of his
crimes" urged the artist, in thick
al l, =. l.
he felt his consciousness ebbing.
why should she suffer? I am GO
ing, old mani cannot hold out any
longer-Promise me that you-that
you will not-strike-the match"
He staggered and fell against the
reporter, who caught him in his
arms. His own senses were reeling.
Promise" pleaded the half-uncon-
scious man.
Il promise" answered Sturgis, after
an instant's hesitation.
1t struck chill to his heart to see
his friend dying in the prime of youth,
'strength and happiness.
Suddenly a thought flashed upon
him.
1'Brace up, old fellow. All is not
yet over. The speaking leads to
fresh air. Here, put your lips to it
and breathe through your mouth"
The artist heard the words and
made an effort to obey these direc-
fioDs. With Sturgis' assistance he
managed to place his lips to the
niouth-piece of the speaking-tube. A
few whiffs of comparatively fresh air
sent the sluggish blood coursing
through his veins and gave him new
hoid on life. With renewed vigor
came the animal instinct to fight to
the last for existence.
AS the shadows of death which had
been closing in upon him receded, he
became conscious of Sturgis' voice
beating upon his ears in broken and
scarcely audible tones.
at is-the last chance-St;ck-to
sthe tube-When he comes-surprise
him-your revolver-shoot-be
The reporter was clinging unsteadi-
fy TO his friends shoulder. Sprague
suddenly realized that Sturgis in his
turn was succumbing to the effects of
the gas. He sprang back in time to
catch the staggering man in his
arms.
Selfish brute that | ami" he ex-
Stained Here; it is your turn to