The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-19

you know who he is, and what he is?"
he asked.
Eyes, but"
"Bt you are afraid?" There was
world of scorn in the words.
mo more for myself than for you"
answered, slowly. But the consequences.
for both of us?''
There will be no consequences. We
are alone here, except for the servant
you have seen, and he knows nothing.
When 1t is oversee, this is your way"
He showed me a sliding panel in the
wainscot. THE passage opens into an
other street." he said. LAS for me.
will take my chances. Come, Justice calls
us, and it will soon be over. soon be
over"
He stepped forward, and half dazed, I
followed him. 1 make no excuses for
what ! did. II the power that swayed
me was not superhuman 1t was at least
more than mine to resist It. We went
up to where the prisoner sat bound. At
sign 1 grasped one side of the chair
and 1--WE carried 1T back to the room we
had just left The Crown Prince made
no resistance. His head hung forward
on his breast The gag had loosened and
from his lips there poured a curious, pitt
liable medley of low sounds, curses, mixed
with prayers, and names that meant moth
ing to me. 1t was horrible to hear him.
Murdoch spoke no word until the chair
and its burden stood on the floor between
the two grim machines and their steel
refectors. Then he turned to me.
You will light this spirit lamp and
place II under the piece of ore in this
machine" he said THE instant l give
the word extinguish it, on the instant;
mind. all depends on that. l will do the
/ same with mine, and 1 will manage the
| electric current. Now"
/ Up to this moment, in spite of what
had been told me. swear had no least
! idea OF what might be in store for this
poor wretch l had thought only that
at last ! would plead for him OF a
sudden it came to me now that Murdoch
| actually expected this machine to kill HIS
victim in the way he had described. Yet
! could not speak a word; the utter hor-
! ror of the thing paralyzed thought and
I tongue Mechanically 1 lighted the lamp.
as | was hidden. Murdoch had lighted
his, and now turned rapidly at the handle
of the disk The only candle in the room
spluttered low in its socket. l found my
| self counting, counting, as Murdochs arm
| rose and fell. Between us the Crown
Prince sat on his chair, muttering and
CRYING continually. The piece of ore in
front of me began to glow cherry red.
At the same moment came loud knock
ON the door. l snatched the lamp from
my machine.
"Put It back. put It backw cried Muir
doch. 1T is nothing. We must go on"
| The knock sounded again and again.
| ''Open, in the name of the King" came
| a stern voice. Murdoch labored but the
faster at this wheel, his eyes fixed on the
ore, which cleaned brighter and brighter.
| All at once he Strengthened up
1.-The lamp, the lampl" he cried. and
reached out and extinguished 1t. AS Muir
doch bent over his own, saw his face,
| and he was smiling. The blows on the
| door were redoubled
| Suddenly the Prince ieaped in the chair,
screamed aloud. horribly, once, twice,
| and sank back moaning. Then-I saw the
| miracle. Before my very eyes his hand
| his head, his whole frame wrinkled, shriv-
eled, sank together, and disappeared
| Nay, his clothing was gone. Where the
| Prince had sat was nothing. Murdoch
sprang toward me. Quick" he whisper
| ed; 1.-THE secret passage. 1t opens at q
| door they will not guard Go, God bless
YOU John-and, goodby.
And your" / cried.
And II go to her." said Murdoch. He
thrust me into the passage and closed the
panel behind me. AS he did so the door
| of the room burst open, and I heard the
| rush Of heavy feet.
What would you have, gentlemen
came Murdochs voice clear and clean
| above the clamor.
1.-THE Crown Prince Michael" began an
officer.
us not here" said Murdoch. Nor
shall 1 be for long, gentlemen Excuse
me-" I heard him stepping back to where
| the red stones still sent out their demon
| rays. There was moments silence,
broken by a gasp of establishment from
| the kings officers. Then my friend
voice once more, weak. but Jubilant.
"Nita, Nltap' he called.
Then the silence again ! turned and
fed. stumbling through the dark pas
sage. Murdoch's voice was ringing In my
| ears.