Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1902-03-29
The Internal Machine


I'm sure | don't wish you to do So"
reJolned, trying to gain time.
well then, out with the bluntn' put
IN the second bully; and look sharp!'
Saying which, he drew from his pocket
hfe-preservor las people are pleased
10 eau the murderous weapon).
Really, gentlemen" l answered pa
cIucIaiiy, Il am sorry | cannot obllge
you. At the present moment | don't
possess cent in the world"
Won't do" returned the cross-eyed
one, incredulorSly. Gammon-fam-
ounkum! Turn out your pockets"
With pleasure, " said l, beinganxious
TO promote feeling of confidence. and
suittng my action to the words.
The second rutlian approached and
helped me. He handled my pockets and
patted my waistcoat to satisfy himself
that | hid nothing. 1t soon became
clear that | had spoken the truth, and
he returned to his place between the
table and the door to consult with his
comrade as to their next step.
What have you got in that box?"
then inquired the gentleman with du-
pick sight, perceiying for the first time
that | had at least one portable article
in my possession. whats inside that
boX?"
THAT is my business" 1 replied,
sharply
Come come we don't want any Of
your Dertness. Open up, and look spry
about it,
No"
Yes" he roared, adding a frightful
expression which l should be sorry to
repeat.
NO" I said, very firmly.
The two men glanced at one another.
My opposition was beginning to enrage
them. | wondered what they would do
next They evidently meant mischief,
and anxiously watched the burller
blackguard as he hesitated and then
apparently determined to open the box
himself. He stepped forward.
Good heavens" | cried, holding out
my hand to stop him. "You don't know
what you are doing! You will be blown
to atoms!"
The man started back as If he had
been struck. | pursued my advantage,
after little smile at the situation.
Il will open the outer case" said |,
after pause land explain. But by all
that's sacred, If either of you comes
one step nearer, I'll touch the spring
and Wen all go to atoms together! Do
you think I'd stick at finishing the bust
ness? Do you think man cares two
straws about what happens to him
when he makes an Internal machine,
and carries it about, dynamite and all,
going in tidy corner of-well, no mat
ter where-for the good of his coun-
try" The two rutfians stood as If
turned to stone. "Ha, hat" l laughed.
you don't know what stuff an anar-
chist is made off,
The DULLES turned as pale as ghosts.
They had not bargained for this sort Of
thing. | gave them no time to doubt
me and recover. In Il moment | in
serted key in the lock of my wooden
case, turned it. and raised the lid Open
ing an inner mahogany box, displayed
the face Of dial
This said, solemnly, lis the cock.
If | turn this screw I set the Indicator
for whatever hour or minute | desire.
If | touch this button, start the eX-
IL I
ends in a decorating fuse. l have only
to release this spring, and blow the
whole street down"
My coWardly captors uttered an ex-
clamation of sunrise and terror, They
seemed to have entirely lost their pow
er of articulate speech.
| looked at clock-a trumpery,
cheap. French ticker-on the mantel-
piece, and continued ramorsclessly.
ut is four minutes to 10. | viii now
turn the screw, and set the Indicator to
explode ut 10. | win then touch the
button, and set the dynamite mechan-
ism In motion. This viii give you three
minutes to open this door and the front
door-wide-and to make yourselves
scarce. If you don't do so, pretty
quick, the internal thing will take its
cour5e-and don't think | should meet
either of you In Paradise"
The two rutlians, petriiied with ter
ror, glared at me while made the nee
essary movements.
Now" | said, firmly, you have
three minutes IN which to do as | said.
And remember-at the very first sign
of any attempt at violence. touch this
spring under my finger and blow you
both to smthereens. Now-only two
minutes and half left"
The cross-eyed villain glanced at me,