Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08

hlelH groanlng horribly nodded MS neHu, COLI
tinuing to roan after the gag was gone.
We'll" said Perigord for the first time show
ing some impatience, speak quickly and the
truth; this is your last chance to save yourself
the torture Of the bootl"
Archipelago; Anarchist" gasped the prisoner
between his means.
Perigord drew sharp breath and his eyes
glittered like stars
Latitude and longitude?" he demanded
quickly.
"I don't know. 1t lies midway between Kos
and Amargos"
Turkey or Greece?"
"Turkeyi For the love of God take off the
ecrewsl"
Perigord eyed him narrowly, still perhaps in
doubt, but at that instant came a fearful inter
ruption. The door through which all had en-
tired was suddenly thrown open, and loud
strident voice cried out in Russian: Master,
master, save yourself. Come quickly this way
The Anarchists bomb bomb" A man stood
in the doorway pale and panc-struck, imploring
wildly with his hands.
Perigord demanded sharply "Where? but the
man, unable to speak, pointed trembling finger
at the farthest wall.
Already the executioners and the servants had
taken fright, and without asking permission were
retreating in disorder Cressngham alone of the
others had understood the mans words and he
explained them briefly to his companions, while
Perigord stood dumbly listening.
Something that he appeared to hear reused him
soon to action. Come, gentlemen" he cried,
"the fellow may be right We had better re-
tire"
"And leave that poor wretch to die perhaps!'
cried Cressingham Indignantly.
The young sprang to the dals and attempt
H. H., LoJ, anna ha
lessness of seeking to release the prisoner. He
found the chair, however, fastened firmly to the
floor Putting forth all his strength he tried to
uptear the screws, unheeding dull booming
roar beneath his very feet. While he strained ne
was caught suddenly in giants grip and borne
struggling vainly at a swift pace down the ave
nue. of armored figures, his ears ringing WIN
Klein's shrieks and desperate yells for help. But
he was held powerless babe, and when Peri
CORD put him down outside the door he was
breathless and exhausted.
They had not long to wait for further develop
ments second explosion followed quickly on
the heels Of the first, and this fatal one.
First sharp report like the firing of can
non close at hand; then rending crash which
shook the floor beneath their feet and made the
whole building tremble.
Peering through the door, they could for
one short instant the farthest wall of the arTnory
crlmpng up and collapsing inwards like a fold
ing hand then came thunderous noise, which
dwarfed all others by comparison; the air was
quickly choked with dust, and all about their
heads fell bricks and plaster with wild and
awful Gathering.
Silence and the dark succeeded; deathly 81
lence dense impenetrable darkness
Cressingham stood stupefed and breathless. un
able to realize he lived He heard presently a
slight rasping sound, then caught flicker of
light some distance off.
Periogord had struck lucifer and stood calm
ly surveying the dreadful ruin around him. "Is
any one hurt or injured?" he asked, his voice
sounding strangely harsh and unfamiliar.
At the question Cressingham realized that his
left arm hung limp and helpless at his side, but
he felt it carefully and found it not broken.
"Not l." he answered, "thanks to you, Mr.. Pc
rigord." Colonel Elliott was badly shaken and
had his face cut open by some falling plaster
and some of the servants were much bruised, but
not .one seriously injured. Perigord, Oetjen and
Captain Fagerhom had escaped untouched. Pres
emily they all made their way by distant stair
case to the ground floor, and quitting the build
ing hurried out to seek the fate of Klein. They
found him after little search lying beneath a
heap of debris quite dead and mangled horribly.
There was no need to free him from his bonds
the chair had been smashed to fragments, but
Perigord ordered the screws to be removed from
his dead hands and his body taken to the kitchen
The gentlemen were still surveying the ruin
by the light OF hastily constructed Donnre, When
they became conscious of the presence OF stran-
ger who came upon them like spirit from the
dark.
Tt was Prince Carlos. On seeing him Perigord
led the whole party to the Kitchen and dismiss
ing the servants gave the new conner a succinct
account of the proceedings. The Prince, whom
Cressinpham regarded curiously, appeared
strangely anxious, but his face grew composed
when he had heard everything, and he was the
first to propose a scheme which might explain to
the world the whole occurrence, His idea was
that Perigord to whom the mansion had been
lent by Lord Sedgewick, should declare the ex-
plosion the result of n large gas escape within
the armory and he strongly urged Perigord not
thorities at once of his death and himself attend
the necessarily ensuing inquest.
Perigord having listened to him politely to
the end with commanding gesture called for
the attention of all.
"Gentlemen!" he said impressively "this acci-
dent was caused by an escape of gas That is a
fact TO be understood and remembered by us all.
Klein's body will be carried at by my SER
wants on board my yacht the Sea Hawk, which
now awaits its freight not three miles distant.
Captain Fagerholm, you will proceed at once to
the Sea Hawk and steam with all speed to Ma
ples disposing of the corpse route. You will
take especial care of Madame Katherin Viyela,
who is already imprisoned in my state room, and
more particularly when you reach Naples; she
must hold no communication with the shore
Won understand Prince Carlos Colonel Elliott
and Lord Francis Cressingham, you will accom-
pany Fagerholm. / shall myself join you at Ma
ples, whereupon we shall proceed Immediately to
effect the rescue of Miss Francine Elliott"
'Thank Godl" cried the Colonel
In unbroken silence the embarkation took
anJ aft thew hoard