Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-07-16


signatures only too we'll"
He had taken the precaution to
place his pistol out Of reach while
he was running his eyes over the
document. So interested was he In
its perusal that for a second his eyes
were off the man bound in the chair
Suddenly he felt hand pressed
gressive about the movement, and he
looked at his companion In amaze
nent.
Would you like to have this ring?"
asked Job, with smile on his face,
and Ellison, looking down. saw on
the red and knotted finger extended
q curious ring set with dull blue
stones
How do you men-do want III"
Buy it. 1 mean-you will find 1t
wonderful piece Of jewelry? Then
you owe me something, for you must
be we'll paid for what you are do
ng?"
Il see nothing wonderful about
your precious ring. The poorest bit
of prize package jewelry--" but he
suddenly stopped short. for Job had
seized his wrist with a dexterous
twist 10 that he could not move. to
get possession of his pistol. At the
same time he felt sharp. prickly
sensation. Job had pressed the ring
against his hand and the sharp edges
of the stones cut the skin. What
did 1t all mean? He struggled to
free himself. but held in that firm
grip, forced against the edge Of the
strange sensation suddenly seemed
to dart through his hands from the
point where that cursed ring had
abraded the skin; 1t ran through his
Veins like fire! And still he strug-
gled to get to his feet, feeling the
weakness slowly creeping over him
and something like strange fluid
coursing through his blood. At last,
with a cry, he fell forward, face
down, on the table.
job, with smile. removed his
hand and wiped the ring with his coat.
He will learn not to despise such
a humble bit of jewelry as this
again." he said to himself Now, ii
were only supplied with knife
might get rid of these ropes that
are cutting me to pieces"
Then, reaching out his powerful
arms, he seized hold of Ellison and
lifted him by sheer strength up on
the table.
That was a valuable present, that
ring" he muttered. Its virtues
We're not overrated by the man who
gave 1T to mel only hope he will
recover" and then, hearing the loud
breathing of the other, he smiled and
finding G knife in one of Ellisons
pockets, proceeded to cut his bonds.
"Ah! this is something like!" as
he rose and stretched himself, and
then, seeing the paper on the table
that had caused so much trouble, he
thrust 1t back in his pocket with
sigh of relief. Il may need you yet.
They shall never find 1t again on me.
living or dead"
He looked at the insensible figure
for u moment in silence, still ram
ton of his face.
Bah! Why should l worry myself
about him at u time like this l
must try ana find my way out"
He stole softly over to the door
in the partition that divided the room
from the rest of the basement, and,
having unlocked it, peered out. Then
he shook his head and returned to
the room, again locking the door be-
hind him.
No use of my trying to find my
way out in that direction, for as l
heard them say. the police are guard
ing the street"
He was surprised to find Ellison
half sitting in chair before the
table. Was he recovering from his
unconsciousness? But. after an ex-
animation. lob believed that he had
slipped back through some muscular
contraction. He was like one in
sound, deep and heavy sleep. Taking
up the lamp from the table, Job
made circuit of the room In search
of the revolver. which he felt he
needed in case of trouble, but he did
not find 1t, and, us time was precious.
he had to give 1t up. Round and
round the room he went, seeking
ing that at amy moment the police
might arrive, for their patience must
In time be exhausted.
The place was well chosen, for
there amt u hole for u mouse to es-
cape he nuttered, bitterly; not
door or a cupboard or a window, and
beyond, in the street, the police wait
ing.
He sat down for a moment ly the
table out of sheer WEAKNESS. to pom
der on the situation. What was to
be done? Should he attempt to force
his way out through the bluecoats in
waiting? No, there was little chance
OF escaping in that way. While he
sat there, he suddenly felt drop of
moisture on his forehead, then an
other Instinctively he looked up
ana saw that II proceeded from
crack IN the ceiling. This crack was
square, and suggested trapdoor
though painted over like the rest of
the ceiling.
Ready to seize at anything, he lift
ed up one of the chairs to the top
of the table. and then mounting on
it, lamp In hand, proceeded to ex-
anime the strange square above his
head. Certainly, a hole WIS there
filled in BY u square board 1t might
have been used at one time to let
barrels and goods down into the
basement
His examination of this was inter
rupted by a sound from below and
as he glanced down he saw mat ~