The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-20
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Battle in the Maze.

For an instant | 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 it's front. The
dark and lowering walls of the pass
age in which the Wolf figre Of Dodd-
ridge Knapp had appeared and disap-
peared whispered thraat. And l, in
my folly and care!e'sness, had
brought Luella Knapp into tlfis place
and exposed her to the dangers that
encircled me. 1t was this thought that
for the moment mnerved me.
What does this mean?' asked Lu-
ella in matter-of-fact tone.
1T is poor practical joke, I fear"
said | lightly. | took occasion to shift
revolver to my overcoat pocket.
We'll, arn't you going to get me out
of here?" she asked with a little sug-
gestiCn of impatience.
That is my present intentiop," 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 |. They should have been
with us before now
Isn't there another way out?" asked
Luella.
Il suspect there are good many
ways out | replied, but, unfortun-
ately, don't know them And l gave
a few resounding kicks on the door.
where does this stairway go, l
wonder?" said Luella. 1T can't be the
way out. Isn't there another?"
I'VE might try the passage"
She gave a shuddcr 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"
| 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
| turned and darted before her, just
in time to face three Chinese ruttians
who We're fastening down the passage
| The nearest of the trio, tall darF
savage with a deep scar across his
cheek. was just reaching out his hanc
to seize Luella when | sprang forward
and planted a blow square upon hi!
chin. He fell back heavily, lifted al
most off his feet by my impact, ant
lay like a log on the floor.
The other two ruftians halted irresO
lutte for an instant, and | drew my re
volver. Their wish seemed to be tt
take me alive if possible. After ;
| moment of hesitation there was a nut
tered exclamation and one of the des
peradoes drew his hand from hi
blouse
OH" cried Luella. He's got
knife"
Before he could make anothe
movement | fired once, twice, thre
times. There was a scramble ant
scuffie in the passageway, and tn
smoke rolled thick in front, blottin
out the scene that had stood in sil
houettte before us.
Fearful of rush from the Chinese
| threw one arm about Luella, and
keeping my body between her AM
possible attack guided her to the stat
that led upward at nearly right angle
from the passage. She was tremblin
and her breath came short, but he
spirit had not quailed. She shoe
herself free as placed her on the frs
step.
Have you killed them?" she aske
quietly.
Il hope So" l replied, looking cat
tiously around the corner to see tn
results of my fusillade. The smok
had spread into a thin haze throug
the passage.
GRO BE CoNTINUED.)