Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-18

cienched hand uplifted Warburton did
not even raise his hands this time
So they stood. their faces within a
hands span of each other, the one smil-
ing coldly, the other in the attitude Of
striking blow. Karloff's hand fell
Unexpectedly, but not on the man in
front OF him. "Good God, no! gem
tleman does not strike lackey! Stand
aside, stand aside!"
They shall burn, Count, quietly;
they shall burn, because am physic-
ally the stronger" Warburton turned
quickly and with the toe of his boot
shifted the glowing packet and renewed
the flames. II never realized till to-
night that I loved my country half
SO we'll. Lackey? Yes, for the pres
| emit"
He had not looked at the girl
All" Karloff cried, intelligence
lighting his face. "You are no lackey!"
-subduing his voice.
James smiled. "You are quite re-
markable.'
Who are you? demand to know"
First and foremost. l am a citi-
zen of the United States; have been
a soldier besides. 1t was my common
right to destroy these plans, which
indirectly menaced my country's safe
ty. These. "-pointing to the bank
notes. ARE yours, believe. Nothing
further requires your presence here"
Yes yes; remember now! Fool
that I have been!" Karloff struck his
forehead In helpless rage. 81 never
observed you closely till now. I re-
call. The secret service: Europe,
New York. Washington: you have
known it all along. spy!"
That is an epithet which easily re-
bounds. Spy? Why. yes; I do for my
country what you do for yours
"The name. the name! I can not
recollect the name! The beard is gone,
but that does not matter, "--excitedly.
Warburton breathed easier. While
he did not want the girl to know who
he was just then, he was glad that
Karlof's memory had taken his
thought away from the CRATE and it's
valuable but rapidly disappearing fuel.
Father! Father, what is it?" cried
the girl, her voice keyed to agony.
"Father!''
The two men turned about An
nesley had tainted in his chair Both
Warburton and Karloff mechanically
started forward to offer aid, but she re-
PEELED their approach.
DO not come near me: you have
done enough. Father, dear!" She
slapped the colonel's wrists and I'M
loosed his collar.
The antagonists, forgetting their
own battle. stood silently watching
hers. Warburton's mind was first to
clear and without moments hesita-
ton he darted from the room and i'm
mediately returned with glass of
water He held it out to the girl. Their
glances clashed: thousand mute, an
CRY questions in her eyes, thousand
mute. humble answers in his. She ac-
cepted the glass, and her hand trem-
bled as she dipped her fingers into the
cool depths and f1ecked the drops into
the unconscious mans face
Meanwhile Karloff stood with folded
arms, staring Internationally into the
crate, where his dreams had disap.
peared in smoke.
BY and by the colonel sighed and
opened his eyes. For time he did
not know where he was. and his gaze
wandered mistily from face to face.
Then recollection came back to him.
recollection bristling with thorns He
struggled to his feet and faced Warbur-
ton. The girl put her arms around
him to steady him, but he gently dis
engaged himself.
Are you from the secret service,
sir? If SO, am ready to accompany
you wherever you say. 1, who have
left my blood on many a battle-ground,
was about to commit reasonable act,
Allow me first to straighten up my
affairs. then you may do with me as
you please. am guilty of crime; 1
have the courage to pay the penalty"
Fills calm was extraordinary, and even
Karloff looked at him with a sparkle
of admiration.
AS plummet plunges into the sea,
so the girls look. plunged into Warbur-
tons soul; and had he been an Of
ficer Of the law, he knew that he would
have utterly disregarded his duty.
II am not secret service man, sir"
he replied unevenly. IF I were,"-
pointing to the CRATE, "your plans
would not have fed the fire."
"Who are you, then, and what do
you in my house in this guise?"-
proudly.
II am your head stable-man-for
the present 1t was all by chance. I
came into this room yesterday to get
a book on veterinary surgery. l ac-
cidently saw a plan. l have been a
soldier. knew that such thing had
no rightful place in this house. !.
was coming across the lawn, when |
looked into the window s.. 1t is
not for me to judge you, sir. My duty
lay in destroying those plans before
they harmed any one"
No, it is not for you to Judge me. /"
l r,rs H. L L. NJ