Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-08-25

fFNe AAt AAdA ICCAOnGd MllAkOAl
one factor. In his gloating triumph
ne had not noticed that the knots
which they had loosened 1 had con.
trived by silent effort to undo still
further, till the cords only needed a
sudden jerk to free them altogether
With a bound l was at him, tearing
at his throat with madfnan's
strength and suddenness that
caught him off guard for an instant.
That struggle-can ] ever forget il :?
The knowledge that life for one was
death to the other spurred us on;
for moment one held the advantage
then the other. Like drunken men
we swayed across the floor in that
mad embrace.
But the contest was unequal: /
was slight, he was big, and CORE
spondingly strong. He wore me down,
pressed closer, fiercer, end held me
rigid for a fraction of time while he
gave two knocks on tee floor with his
foot-once! twicel Two others
rushed in at the signal, and it was
over.
Let me pass over the next briefly
First they stretched string tightly
across the room from one side to the
other, about midway between ceiling
and floor. Then, with a shorter piece
tied TO it, they arranged the coin with
the red spot so that it tangled in the
air about four feet above the hard
oak table.
"A wax candle came next, very thin
and not more than three inches long
With torturing slowness they fixed it
in position-the lower end. little be-
low the level of the knot which Sc
cured the two strings together, and
candle and string touching When
the candle burned low the string
would catch fire-break-the coin
would drop with its four feet momen-
tum on to the table, and then-finis!
They bound me into chair, drew
itjust so close that had my arms been
free L could have reached out to the
whole continuance, and-iighted the
candle.
"Adieu, friend spy" said the str
dent voice. while the candle burn
yoq are safe. It will last about an
hour: we will put your watch on the
table. 1t goes hard with your fra
NNA amy WHICH A1NH Caught!
Footsteps, the banging of door,
and then L knew that L was alone
alone with the terror before me. 1t
was half-past eight by the watch. i
gazed horror-struck at the scudEiine
seconds finger.
At first 1 noticed hardly anything;
was only conscious of a dead numb
ness everywhere, as if body and, brain
had both stagnated. Then they woke
up; I had terrible shooting pains
through my limbs, and the mind that
had been bnssful blank began to
conjure up exquisite fortunes.
Five miutesi -. Is it possible :?
A ray of hope-Jules was coming at
nine; he would be here by a quarter
past, perhaps even a little sooner.
Ten minutes gone. The candle was
a third gone, or nearly so. So he
would be too late; it would not hold
out that odd few minutes.
An ideal =. =. Fool that I was;
why had not thought of it before :?
Precious time wasted-wasted. Blow
the candle out-of course. / pursed
my lips on the instant the
flame flickered Noah. no no.
mol =. NV heart was in NV
mouths lest the catastrophe should
happen even nowi / was blowing the
flame onto the string.
Another five minutes gone-ten:
two-thirds of the time gone. Heav-
ensl-to die when a brief respite
would bring deliverance.
Another inch of candle, and, it
would be finished. L tried to frame q
prayer, but the words refused to
come Ali Was-was it a
knocke All my quivering nerves list
ened for repetition. Yes-yes; an
other, louder--still louder. Oh, 10Y,
joyl Jules! of a surety 81. The
candlei Would-would it wait? Then
rapid footsteps-footsteps that I
knew-advancing. Savedl Savedl
"Julesl that-thatl Take it down, {"
cried; and then, when he had freed
me, fell sobbing, sobbing like a
child into his arms
The rest? Like two, maniacs we
rushed through the streets-tc the
bureau of police first for a couple of
gendarmes, and then on to the play
ing rooms; and-yes-we were in time
to arrest the scoundrel before he had
effected his dastardly intention.
But how came you just in the nick
of time to save me, good Jules?" I
asked when he had a moment to our
selves. We were walking home, and
the clock of distant tower doomed
out as 1 spoke.
Eleven! The same thought struck
both of us. he took out his watch. 1t
was fast; the hands pointed to twelve
minutes past the hourl-Tt-Bits.