Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-07-28
CHAPTER XX.

IIlcfc Is aloI neF IHCtOr III lnc game,
however. which Sandy has not sus-
pected. Knowing Mynheer Joe MS he
does he fails to sound the full depth
of that strange mans powers. Al
though the traveller has also produced
revolver and shows an entire win.
ingness to use it should occasion arise,
he still holds back.
There is a method in his madness.
For Sandy thinks 1t borders OH this,
not to begin operations upon the en-.
envy at once, SO they may in a measure
paralyZe their attack.
Mynheer Joe KNOWS what he is
about. From his lips there suddcaly
issues strange sound, unlike any,
thing Sandy ever heard. 1t Is un'
dOubtedly signal of some sort. IIis
amazed eyes are glued on Joe. lie
secs him make 4 peculiar pantomime
gesture with his hand-the one which
has not been occupied In srasplng
weapon.
This must mean something. Sandy
knows 1t is not intended for him. and
hence he turns his attention upon the
enemy to discover a solution Of the
mystery.
Whether he can find this out or not
the effect Of Joes action is speedily
manifest in the actions of the Thugs
He hears their eXclamatiOns Of amaze
tJ,o ,,r, ,taI
they cast upon the traveller. Instead
of forward rush to annihilate hin
and his friend, there Is q shrinking
back on the part o. the thirteen.
What can this mean? Mynhecr Joe
continues to wave his hand In that
strange manner, and the thirteen terri
BILE foes retreat slowly but surely iD
every direction.
Sandy is forcibly reminded of a Ger
tain picture in the pantomime where
the good spirit appears upon the scene
and the evil workers retreat In dismay,
endeavoring to shield their eyes from
the dazzling light that nearly blinds
them, for everything that is evil hates
the light
He is bewildcred by what he sees.
and yet, although the cause Is per-
feet blank, the effect is plainly evident
even he Who runs may read: These
Thugs fear Mynheer Joe.
Sandy's admiration for the man
takes an upward bound. lie realizes
that much as he has known Of the
other. Joe possesses qualities which
he has never even suspected as exist
Ing.
In less than half a minute after the
traveller has uttered that strange
sound the thirteen Thugs have backed
out of sight. The coast Is clear and
gradually the people resume their In
terrupted trade relationship mer-
chant calls attention to his stock, the
customer takes 1t upon himself to buy.
AS the people come thronglng back
upon the road Of the bazars 1t can be
noticed that they cast anxious glances
around them. They seem to expect to
look upon something lying hlther or
on-something that Is apt to fill their
souls with horror, and yet which pos
sesscs deep attraction.
Sandy notes these glances cast
around, and being bright-minded
chap. intuitivcly guesses their mean.
ing. They are looking for the victims
Of the Thugs, and upon failing to dis.
cover one or more bodies lying upon
the road. with life rendered extinct
through the agency Of cord or creese,
cannot but feel the greatest amaze
mcnt.
Then their looks turn upon the two
Americans, as though they have
guessed that these worthless are the
ones against whom this uprising of the
secret society took place. 1t must
have been some mistake, after all
Philosophically they determine this,
and return to their various pursuits
though glarces full of w1uGer greet
Mynheer Joe and his companion at
every turn.
AS for Sandy himself he follows the
other along the street in a half stupe-
fed way. 1t seems to him Joe can do
anything If the Hindoos We're about
TO place them both upon one of thu
funeral pyres along the ghauts border
Ing the river, Sandy believes Joe ~
wizard enough to change the fire inco
Ice, and cause the vengeful destroyers
to fall upon their knees In humble ser.
vitude. After this exhibition he will
not doubt Joe's power to accomplish
any wonder. SO they pass along, and
by degrees enter among n new lot OF
natives who, ignorant of the event
that has so recently TRANSFERRED, do not
view them in that strange way. Sandy
Is burning with deep curiosity. Ey
nature he abhors mysteries, and Is
Just rs curious as any woman could
ever be.
Plainly. then. he nuts tLe
to Joe. begging to know by what spirit
of necronlancy the other managed to
dissolve the dark clouds that hung so
threatenngly over their heads.
"It's all as simple as falling off a
log The whole thing lies in knowing
how to do it," he remarks. whereat
Sandy adds:
"a second Columbus making the egg
stand on end? Suppose you illustrate
matters, my dear fellow, and show US
how the thing 10 done"
perhaps you saw me make signal
and the rascals obey. You wonder