The Columbus journal., 1908-08-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Battle in the Maze.

For an instant l was overwhelmed
with terror and self-reproach. The
bolted door before me gave notice Of
danger as plainly as though the word
had been painted upon its front. The
dark and lowering walls Of the pass
age in which the Wolf figure of Dodd'
ridge Knapp had appeared and disap'
peared whispered threats. And /. in
my folly and carelessness, had
brought Luella Knapp into this place
and exposed her to the dangers that
encircled me. 1t was this thought that
for the moment unnerved me.
What does this mean?" asked Lu'
ella in a matter-Of-fact tone.
1T is a poor practical joke, l fear u
said l lightly. l took occasion to shift
a revolver to my overcoat pocket.
well. arn't you going to get me out
of here?" she asked with a little sug
gesticn of Impotence.
THAT is my present intention" l re-
piled. beating a tattoo on the door.
You'll hurt your fists" she said
You must find some way besides
beating it down."
I'm trying to bring our friends
here" said l. They should have been
with us before now"
Isn't there another way out?" asked
Luella.
Il suspect there are good many
ways out" l replied, but, unfortun
ately. don't know them" And gave
few resounding kicks on the door.
Where does this stairway go.
wonder?" said Luella. 1T can't be the
way out. Isn't there another"
We might try the passage"
She gave a shudder and shrank to.
ward me.
NO. no." she cried in a low voice
TRY the door again. Somebody must
hear you, and it may be opened"
l followed her suggestion with a
rain of kicks, emphasized with shout
that made the echoes ring glOomily
in the passage.
heard in reply sound of voices,
and then an answering shout, and the
steps of men running.
Are you there, Mr.. Wilton?" cried
the voice of Corson through the door.
Yes, all safe, answered.
We'll, just hold on bit and
we'll"
The rest of his sentence was lost
in suppressed scream from Luella
l turned and darted before her, just
in time to face three Chinese ruffians
who were fastening down the passage
The nearest of the trio, a tall dark
savage with deep scar across his
cheek, was just reaching out his hand
to seize Luella when l sprang forward
and planted a blow square upon his
chin. He fell back heavily, lifted al.
most off his feet by my impact. and
lay like log on the floor.
The other two ruffians halted irreso.
lutte for an instant, and l drew my re.
volver. Their wish seemed to be to
take me alive if possible. After a
moment of hesitation there was a NUT
tered exclamation and one of the des-
peradOes drew his hand from his
blouse.
OH" cried Luella. He's got a
knife"
Before he could make another
movement l fired once, twice, three
times. There was scramble and
scufile in the passageway. and the
smoke rolled thick in front, blotting
out the scene that had stood in sill
houettte before us.
Fearful of a rush from the Chinese,
l threw one arm about Luella, and,
keeping my body between her and
possible attack, guided her to the stair
that led upward at nearly right angles
from the passage. She was trembling
and her breath came short. but her
spirit had not quailed. She shook
herself free as placed her on the first
step.
Have you killed them?" she asked
quietly.
Il hope So" replied, looking eau
tiously around the corner to see the
results of my fusillade. The smoke
had spread into a thin haze through
the passage.
(To BE coNTINUED.)
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