The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-14
A O OF


He took down a little dark lantern,
lighted, 1t. tested 1t, n put it in his
pocket.
Now Tn ready. Have we far to
go"
oh. no; Just across the street"
Simmonds started with astonish-
ment.
you don't mean the Marathon!" he
said.
Gust that"
but who is 1t we're going after?"
"A fellow named Tremaine."
"Tremaine!" Si1nmond's face grew
blaniSer and blanlser. why, I know
him: he's been in here to see me. Flo
DOESN'T seem at all the kind Of fellow
who toid him about the ciippings!"
Simmonds colored to the eyes.
Who told you that?" he stammered.
No matter; it didn't do any HARM,
played right into our hands. In fact.
spicacity there. Simmondss That fell
low is the most remarkable scoundrel
I've ever run across-perhaps it's just
as we'll I never met him or he'd have
hypnotized me. too. Come aong."
slinmonds followed meekly. Evil
SssAS> IN LVIG tiN ! uCSlJly .
Thought I didn't think him greatly to
blame. Who. to look at him. would
nave conceived any suspicion OF Tre-
maine? Even yet, I found 1t difficult
TO believe him guilty OF any crime: this
chain which Godfrey had so laborious-
hold-was 1t really strong in every
link! Or was there some fatal weak
ness In 1t, some unsupported flaw.
Higgins was Just shutting the inner
doors. He recognized Simmonds at
once
"Hello.' he said: whats up now?
No more murders, I hope?"
.Ioo you know whether or not Mr..
Tremaine Is in his rooms?" asked
Godfrey.
yes. sir: he went up about an hour
ago"
You have a key to his door?"
Yes. sir"
1--WE want you to go up with us and
open the door,"
"oh. comet" protested Higgins.
'.aThat's going it pretty strong. What's
Mr.. Tremaine done?"
of, Higgins. Simmonds here can place
you under arrest and force you to
!igo"
We'll. see here" said Higgins. turn
ing q little pale. 'if you break in on
him like that, there's apt t. be some
bullets flynn around-he's hot headed,
ne ts! ! wish you'd excuse me. Here's
the key-why can't you open tn door
yourseif?"
'oThatIl do" assented Godfrey. and
took the key. "Now. you stay down
mo fear" said Higgins promptly.
Though" he added gloomily, 'mebbe
I'd better telephone fer some am
We went softly up the stair and
AN~vvA ~Hrat - IL, -S~A- 49, - ev, -
maine's door,. We could see by the
that the room was dark.
Z want to surprise him." whispered
Godfrey. IL he has two or three
minutes warning. he may be able to
set rid Of some evidence. He's prob-
bedroom door without his hearing us.
How does the bedroom door lie, Les
ter. with reference to this one?"
straight ahead" I answered
That's good: are you ready?"
his revolver.
AS for me, grasped my stick more
firmly. glad that 1t was q stout one.
"All right" said Godfrey. and he
threw back the bolt and opened the
door.
!. The room was in absolute darkness.
save for the dim stream Of light from
the hall. We entered cautiously. Cod
frey in the lead.
"Have your lantern ready. Sim
monds. he whispered. and / caught
the odor of heated metal as Simmonds
Two. three. four steps we advanced,
feeling gu way-then I heard a star
tied cry from Godfrey-an i~nstant's
pause.
Quick, simmonds: auiok!" he cried.
IN q stif1ed voice. ''The lantern!"
6nSfpnt1v n hrj1Nlo~A h,~a ~.
enot across the room. wavered, wagge
70 = fro-then settled upon Godfrey
bending above some shapeless object
on the floor.
What is IT," I cried. running to him,
ehivering with horror.
moor and stripped Jack the clothing
from the breast. He's Dead he added
after a
Dead? But why? How"
He was in pajamasI can see them
yet-striped blue and white.
Their ! heard G%odfrey's voice again.
my God!" he was saying. with an
accent Of utter horror. My God!
Bring the light closer. simmonds!.
! looked down. too. The face was In
bright relief now-but was 1t IRE
maine? Could 1t be Tremaine? That
Staring. distorted thing. with wide open
mouth? Then my eyes fell on the hand.
clasped across the breast.
What is it ?'1 asked again. inarticu-
lately. frozen with dread. what has
happened?"
I saw Godfrey stand erect with a sud-
den movement of loathing.
It's the fer-de-lance!" he said
hOarsely. He's been bitten by It. And
rs still loose In the room somewhere!"
=
CHAPTER VI
VENGEANCE.
It strikes a chill through me. even
yet, to recall the awful horror Of that
instant. The fer-de-lance-death in a
4o,r heart hnnAo nnd s1oh q dao4hi -