The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1902-03-27
The Internal Machine

! blurted out in menaclng tones.
I'm sure don't wish you to do so.
| reloined, trying to gain time.
Well then out with the blunt" put
in the second bully: 'and look sharp!"
Saying which. he drew from his pocket
u life-preserver tas people are pleased
to call the murderous weapon
Really, gentlemen" | answered pa
officially. Il am sorry | cannot oblige
you. At the present moment / done
possess cent in the world"
Won't do" returned the cross-eyed
one, inereluloUsly. "Gammon-tlam-
bunSum. Turn out your pockets"
With pleasure" said l. belnsanxious
TO promote feeling of confidence. anu
suiting my action To the words.
The second ruftian approached and
helped me. He handled my pockets and
patted my walstcoat TO satisfy himself
that ! hid nothing. Ii 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. percelving for the tirst time
thar had at least one portable article |
in my possession. What's inside that
bOx?'
"rhat is my business" replied.
sharply.
Come. come. we don't want any OF \
your pertness. Open up. and look spry 4
about It,"
No"
Yes" he roared. adding a frightful
expression which should be sorry to
repeat.
NO" | said very firmly.
The two men glanced at one another.
Ny opposition was beginning 10 enrage
them. | wondered what they would do
next They evidently meant mischief.
and | anxiously watched the burIier
biackguard as he hesitated. and then
apparently determined to open the box
nlmself. 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 atomsi'
The man started back as II he had
been struck. pursued my advantage.
after a little smile at the situation.
Il viii open the outer case" said I.
after u pause. ''and explain. But by all
that's sacred. II either OF you comes
one step nearer. Ill touch the spring
and Wen all go to atoms together. DO
g,.E. ~ Z.
ness? Do you think man cares two
straws about what happens TO him
when he makes an Internal machine. '
md carries IL about. dynamite and all. "
)n his way to set the blessed thing
,oing In tidy corner Orwell. no mat !
er where-for the good OF his coun- -
ry?" The two rufiians stood rs II
urned to- stone. ''Ha. hat' | laughed
You don't know what stun an anar. "
hist Is made Of"
The DULLES turned as pale as ghosts. :"
hey had not bargaIncd for this sort Of -
hing. | gave them no time to doubt %
ne and recover. In poment | In :"
erted key In the lock of my wooden =,
use turned II. and raised the lid Open. VI
- an AlAFA htdAD-dH1 OOAs 1
he face Of a dial c'
This" sa a. solemnly. is the cock e1
turn this screw ! set the indicator af
Or Whatever hour or minute I desire. va
touch this button. I start the ex- OF
loding mechanism. This brass roll IN
ids In decorating fuse have only y
release this spring. ard blow the IN
hole street down" US
Ny cowardly captors uttered an ex. re-
amati0n of SURF rise and terror They ma
emed to have entirely lost their pow In
OF articulate speech.
| looked at a clock-n trumpery. ar
cap. French ticker-on the manteI- CHI
ece. and continued remorselessly. col
lit Is four minutes to 10. I will now no
rn the screw. and set the Indicator to pa
plode at 10. VIII then touch the dis
tton. and set the dynamite mechan- chs
II Ia motion. This will give you three ea'
nutes to open this door and the front | 4
or-wide-and to make yourselves OF
Irce. If you don't do so. pretty sec
lex. the Internal thing will take its VIII
Irse--and don't think should meet frs
her Of you In Paradise" one
The two ruffians. petrified with ter In
:, glared ut me while I made the nee frs
AIRY movements. bee
Now" I said. firmly. you have ure
zee minutes in which to do as said. ano
d remembered the very first sign plel
any attempt at violence. touch this two
ing under my finger and blow you not
h to smithereens. Now-only two thir
lutes and half left" wit
he cross-eyed villain glanced Mt me. seq
n at bis comrade. and lastly Mt the rev
G Of the DIAL A bare two minutes OF one
pite remained. But II was enough nun
him to deliver a parting shot. In cess
rda that forced fhnmaeI rea hon ranIu the