The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-17


singham's mental consumption, but he
was not given time TO digest It just then.
Perigord had led them 10 the very end
of the building, and now pausing before
/ a ponderous iron-bound door, was hitting
a huge key into its massive lock. The
/ bolt shot back with a sharp snap, and
| through the open door entrance was dis
closed a wide and stately chamber, which,
though lighted with waxen tapers mani
! fold, was. nevertheless. so spacious tina.
! it scarcely seemed Illuminated, and it's
corners faded into actual gloom. The room
extended from one side OF the building TO
the other, three of its walls were slashed
with narrow windows, now, however,
closely shattered and barred. and the
fourth, through which they had entered,
was hidden altogether behind long, droop-
ing sheets of rich embroidered arras. CEN
turtles old and much the worse
for wear. Two rows Of stiff armor-plat-
ed warriors kept watch and ward, drawn
up erect visors down. their mailed hands
threateningly grasping sword, mace or
battle-ax, forming, as they stood, wide
and splendid avenue 10 a dais at the
farthest end Of the apartment. Memory
woke in Cressingham when he recognized
the figures, and vaguely he recalled
haif-fearful hour of his boyhoOd spent in
gazing at those speeches. emblems of
by-g0He warlike age More vaguely still.
he remembered that his cousin. Lord
SedSewick, had once possessed the craze
OF collecting arms, armor, and the dread
ful implements Of torture used by old
Norman barOns and other feudal lords,
his glance sought and found quite near
at hand a skeleton rack, reposing be
tween two red-crossed knights. farther on
haf afr lilo md
scattered here and there among the mail,
pincers. thumbscrews. leaden Uranium
caskets, and ugly little beds of death
With a shudder he turned from these
grim objects to contemplate the living
tenants OF the room. on the dais man
was seated on a chair between TWO
standing. black-clad figures. Approach
ing, he saw that the chair was OF iron,
and the man securely fastened there by
bands of stained and rusted steel His
mouth was tightly bandaged, but his
black eyes sparkled with an eager ard
venOmous brilliancy. lie was thick-set.
middle-aged and bald, and his face was
Of q low and vulgar type, with It's reced-
ing forehead. nose fiat and sprawling, like
a negrO's, jaw pOnderous and brutal.
PeTigord, last to enter the apartment
softly closed the door, then strobe down
the avenue without a pause until he had
reached the dais. There he stopped while
the others gathered round him, his eyes
fixed steadily upon the prisoner. Rupert
Klein" he said his slow, sonCr0us accents
strangely suggestive Of calm and well-re-
solved determination; twelve months ago
I saved YOU from Siberia because you
once rescued a child from the barbarism
OF a drunken ruffian. 1 thought fOr that
reason there must be some good in VOC
Since then Baron LavaIOvsEi has paid for
my mistaken judgment with his life. ]
have reason to believe that his is not the
only murder to your credit. / have better
reason TO know that on account Of your
peculiar talents You have been recently
chosen by your society as instrument for
the preparation OF a certain CTime-ha,
] sec J am not mistaken" CThe man had
writhed in his chair.) However, / am not
here 10 judge you nOw-cnly TO seek from
you some information which is in your
power to give. I require YOU to tell me
the name and whereabouts OF the island
wherein the chief Of your society some
times resides. I already know something
enough 70 prevent your deceivine me-
VIII you speak, II so, nod your head,
and the bandage shall be removed"
The man remained still as marble. star
It.g straight before him.
PeTigCTd made a sign to the guards.
They stopped down and fastened some
thing TO the prisoners manacled right
hand.
one said Perigord slowly. and
paused.
Two another pause Three
Klein's face turned suddenly purple; for
a second he strained like a tiger at his
bonds, then sharply nodded his head.
Perigord said: Take of the gag" But
scarcely was this done when the prisoner
sent forth q wild. unearthly shout for
help. Il scream so full OF physical anguish
that il frOze the blood in some OF his
hearers hearts.
L was, however, quickly smothered, and
the man gagged again.
-Four" intoned Perigord, his voice Ut
terly unmoved.
CreSsingham, who watched the prisoner
inteutly, saw his eyes roll in their sock
cts and the whites gradually fill with
blood Feeling unnamed and sick, he
turned away. Oeltien was staring horror
struck, his face white as death; Col. FL
lott tTembled in every limb; Capt. Eager
nolm was lvid with emotion. But no one
spoke or seemed to think of interference.
Five" said Perlgord. Klein uttered
a groan so fierce and prolonged that it
penetrated the mUfiings Of the gag and
was distinctly audible.
The horrid sound broke down Crossing
hams control
4 cannot stand thisr' he cried. Mr..
PerigoTd, you must stop this neudisb
work; what are you thinking Of?
Gentlemen, l appeal to you-Oeltjen. Col
Elliott"
For answer Perigord stamped his foot
and as Il by magic five men issued from
shadows where they had previously Turk
ed unseen. In the hand OF each rested a
revolver. You set" said Perigord with
icy immobility
My GodF' cried the young man. do
you mean
I mean that 1 shall brook no interfer-
ence, sir" At a nod. two of the men
approached. and before Cressingbam had
recovered his surprise his wrist and arms
We're grasped and he was helpless. Peri
CORD, coldly returned 20 business; Six
he said
Klein's eyes. which had shone with
light OF hope during the alteration. grew
dull with desperation. He nodded his
bead. second time was the bandage re-
moved
'Wateri' he gasped. A cup was put 10
his lips. which he drained at draught.
Now" said Perigord.
Inc Island Of GOtkska,' he muttered
family.
Where is that
North of GOthland. in the Baltic"
Gag him, said Perigord quietly. When
this was done: Put the screw on his left
thumb, the point well beneath the nail
So! Che bent over to examine their
work.. That is well: now turn firmly
but not too quickly Oner
Klein gave mufled shrek Of agony.
For God's sake stop; this is wanton.
The fellow has told yOut' almost sobbed
Cressingham. in whose eyes stood tears of
generous rage.