The Delta independent., 1906-10-19

tol fen from his hands; stopped to
picx it up, and as I seized it, he again
mastered himself and sprang fercely
upon me. 1 struck him terrible
blow upon the head, and as he totter-
ed and fell, his mask was torn away,
and there before me upon the snow
lay the bleeding form of Victor De
neau.
LAS turned to leave the spot two
rufhanly natives, dressed in the same
manner as Deneau, attacked me.
Il raised the weapon and fired q
bullet into the heart of the foremost.
l received a wound in my side from
the other, but. turning hastily, l also
had the good fortune to dispatch him,
as he raised his weapon in deadly
aim at my heart.
Il searched the clothes of Deneau.
whom | thought was dying, and
found passports. credentials, letters OF
recommendation. and letters of credit
to nearly every part of Russia and 81
IBERIA. You can see by this, Castle
man, what a valuable head | wear,
anu COLIu DtHtdu pl'o'hNNt - ~
the cZar it would have been worth
title equal TO dukedom," and he
smiled in that peculiar half-mocking,
but wholly significant, way that char-
acteriZed him.
My head and the heads OF my as
sociates are more valuable to the Hus-
sian government than all the priceless
jewels in the glittering crown of the
czar"
Then It is not surprising that De-
neau exhibits such tireless energy
and such mastery genius and cum
ming in his management OF the case.
! said.
Il have no dread of the individual
Deneau, but confess that proper
number of operators under his master
ly directions could at the present
time. or at near future date. cause
US a serious amount of trouble, pro-
vided-"
Provided" l interjsted.
Provided he is in possession OF
certain secret upon which the future
OF our institution depends. But at
present, Castleman. | can't say, even
TO you. what this discovery involves,
but. be assured, you will know in
short time, and
At this moment I heard the tones
o. bell. They came from a distance.
not so distinctly as they sounded be-
fore. but counted the strokes. one,
two. three. and when the vibration
of the gong had died away. Valdez
mere hastily left the room, but with
that unfailing courtesy, he bade me
good night. and. as he passed into
the dark hall, he turned again to me.
saying:
"Castleman. see that no one enters
the house tonight. Sista will warn
you In the event of an attempt TO do
so. Have you any arms?"
None. save my pistol said. but
do you expect Deneau?'
Il always expect him. He may
come tonight: he may never come.
Should he come alone. you have your
pisto, Should he be accompanied by
others. step into the laboratory and
pull the lever at the left Of the door
way"
Then. as IL he had overlooked some
thing. he crossed the room and enter
ed the laboratory. ! followed him in
silence. As he passed the door. ! sHw
him raise his hand and pull upon an
iron bar at the left of the doorway.
then | heard a grating noise and
whir OF SOME hidden machinery:
blue light flashed across the room.
then he pushed the lever into its
place. and the noise ceased.
had stood in mute astonishment
at this strange proceeding, but when
he again spoke. felt reassured. for
gaze:
All, Castleman. you watch with
every assurance of safety tonight Il
any bne approaches the house bey<ud
the stone wall. Sista will warn yu"
II it be neneau. and he comes alor,.
YOU will know what TO do"
bowed. shocked at the idea of Il .
duty | was to perform. but made =,
reply
should there be others. pull t.a'
lever. as have just done. then lea II,
1t down until Sista makes her seCon3
report"
Then he left me staring upon ,ha.
mated me.
The violence of the storm had som,
what abnted. but the wind still moan
cd through the old pines. and as they
~,