The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-27

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
do not intend to fail this time. Now,
get ready. | assure you it 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 out over ii5 face.
'What is that2" asked Kola, with
smile.
MY friend here is not responsible for
what ! have done, and 1 hope"
"Oh, there is not.a 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.
Kola glanced past them at a little
clock on the wall.
"Iu give you just minute" he said.
ats as much time as | can afford to
allow. My Indian pal has become
shaky and threatened 20 desert me is
1 sprung the trap on you. must pacify
him and show him how safe we are.
could explain TO your driver out there
hat an accident had happened, and no
pne would think Of blaming me-"
Then, although their eyes were glued
to Kola's sinister face, they OBJ
.erved the silk ctl tains behind the In
iian stir as from breeze, then the cur
.ains parted cautiously, and Sergt,
Denham peered in. They saw from
!he wondering gaze of his wide-open
ives that he was mystifed by their un-
/ expected silence, their white faces. and
The half-crouching attitude of the In
( dian as he leaned over the table, his
sif fingers on the button. Like A
/ aash 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
dish a key TO their predicament to Dem
/ ham.
Hold one second" he cried. 81
know something you ought 10 know
Kola. We are completely i'm your pow
sr 1 know that when you press thai
electric button we shall be hurled into
the pit below, but you must listen
Kola's enjoyment seemed intense-
Il don't want to hear anything from
/ YOU" he laughed. get ready
Hendricks drew a deep breath. The
most startling feature of the situation
was that Denham did not seem 70 com
prehend their peril. He half smiled a.
IN he thought Hendricks were playing
one of his practical jokes on his mar
before arresting him.
times up" announced the Indian.
"Denham, jerk him backward" yelled
Il Hendricks. and. in the sudden shock o
astonishment over the puzzling com
mand the Indian involuntarily raise'
his finger from the button, and the sill
uation seemed TO flash upon Denham
Like a proiectile hurled from som
! powerful destroying machine me spranl
at ko,a. He caught him 10y the tnroa
, and puGcd him over the back of hi
! chair, Hendricks spraug from tn
rug. dragging the almost inactive doc
. tor with him, Kola Nriggied ia Der
hams clutch ana managed 10 ger o
, his feet But, with his fingers diggin
, into the Indians throat, the sergean
, bore him backwards over the table. !
, the struggle Kola's shoulder presse
down on the electric button. Their
was a crash Of timbers under he lomg
Just vacated, and With dull, subteI
ranean rumble the flooring over th'
j spot disappeared is q yawning blae
5 sole.
Hendricks was beside hmEeii wii
! rage as he lowered over the moo pe
4 s'tc Indian
"Oh sou dirty scamp" he eiacu'ate