The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-06-10


ganization which our INSCRIPTIONS en-.
envy, the baron, has subsidized in or.
der to complete our downfall"
At this intelligence the newspaper
man loses his head and looks silly.
His ideas even become confused, and
he wonders whether Joe is not giving
him a little chaff. Up to thes present
he has believed himself too old bird
to be caught in this way, but such
strange things have occurred of late
that. he stands ready to take almost
anything as gospel truth.
'FOh, you're full-hedged Thug, eh?"
he manages to murmur.
mot only that, but an officer in the
organization. 1t was as such 1 gave
the sign that threw these fellows into
fever"
"How do you come to belong to such
lovely crowd" asks Sandy.
"Ah, my dear fellow, that is story
you shall hear some day! Really, il
is worth telling, since it is founded
upon strange incidents such as only a.
Haggard could use with credit For
the present let it suffice to say that
this ancient order has more about it
chan the general world knows. 1t fs
not organized for murder, as you and
other people believe, although the
Thugs of India. like the Nihilists Of
Russia. do not hesitate to remove any
one who runs against their will.
"a series of strange circumstances
threw me into the midst Of them SOME
years ago, and to preserve my life
was obliged to join the order, attain
ing a high place If honor before the
opportunity came to quit midas
shores.
II can now see very plainly why
that same thing occurred Ito me, for
you and I must have fallen victims to
the fury of the mob only for my pow
err"
by the way, Joe, have you any
more of these little bombs hidden
away? If SO, put them to good use,
man. There's no telling when we may
need them in this country. Bless my
soul! have a strange feeling all the
while as though invisible danger was
hanging over our heads. What can it
mean"
"When the baron ceases to annoy US
you will get over that, Sandy. The
truth of the matter is you have fallen
into the habit of feeling his presence
near you. These men Of evil seem to
exhale a something that impresses it.
self upon those they hate. even as
might the rattlesnake when charming
a victim. Once the serpent is trampled
under foot and all that uneasiness
vanishes."
you've changed your mind. then,
and intend to make away with the ba-
ROM" says Sandy, quickly.
"Well, it becomes more evident every
hour that it's desperate case Of
Greek against Greek. Unless I de-
molish the baron he will down me-"
Eureka! That's my policy to dot.
The question is how it shall be DONE"
"That will come out all right, old
man."
81 give myself no uneasiness with
regard to it. Poor old Popoff! He'll
carry out the name to letter pres
emily. But since he's shown himself
to be such a consummate rascal, no
longer feel pity for him. Let him go.
The king has commanded it; the de-
cree must be entered" and Sandy
makes a royal sweep with his arm
that would cause many monarch to
turn green with envy could he see 1t.
Mynheer Joe looks beyond, and sees
things that wise providence screens
from the eyes of impulsive fellows of
Sandy's stripe. He knows that the
life of the baron is exceedingly pre-
cious to the Russian authorities, and
that they will make searching inves.
tigation into matters in case he is
downed; it may even be considered
casus bellum, and the two great coun.
tries be embroiled in a terrible con.
fict.
Thus Mynheer Joe, feeling the re-
sponsible nature of his position, re-
solves to do nothing rash. He desires
u COuSuil Will SOHle Out WIN uuS q
long head. and knows of no person
more competent than Mr.. Grimes.
Sandy is all right. when it oOAes to
action, but he does not make the best
adviser in the world. as Joe has
learned before now.
1t is high time they turn their steps
in the direction of the hotel. as the
hour is getting late.
Through the crowds they pass with.
out any fear of violence, since they
hold the good will of the great secret
society of India.
"Ah! There's the baronr' says San.
dy. And Joe catches a glimpse of the
Russians face among the dark ones
just beyond.
He reads surprise and baff1ed rage
upon it. as though Popoff had already
begun to understand that again his
plans have been defeated by circum-