The Washington times., 1909-11-04
CHAPTER X.
THE IRON COUNT.


" " woman to keep her from fall
ing to the floor. he played di-
rectly into the hands OF very material
agencies. under her control There was
nothing ghostly or even spiritual in the
incidents that followed close upon the
simulated faintng spell of the fortune
teller. It has been said before that her
bony fingers closed upon his arms in a
far from feeble manner. He had no time
for surprise at this sudden recovery
there was only time to see a fiendish
grin fash into her face. The next IN
stant something struck him IA the race
then with fierce jerk this same OBJ
ject frightened about his neck. HIS al
Tempt 10 yell out was checked before q
sound could issue from his lips.
II all came 10 him In fash. A moose
had been dropped over MS head as II
was pulled backward his startled bulS-
ing eyes swept the ceiling. The mys-
terry was explained but in manner
that left him small room for satisfac--
ton Above him z square opening mad
appeared in the ceiling; two ugly
bearded faces were leaning over the edge
and strong hands were grasping thick
In a frenzy Of fear and desperation
he cast the old woman from him ana
tore violently at the rope
They were drawing hard from above
his toes were barely touching the floor;
he was strangling. Frantically he
grasped the rope lifting himself from
the floor in the effort 10 loosen the
moose with his free hand A hoarse
laugh broke upon his DINING ears, the
leerlng faces drew nearer; and then, as
every thing went black heavy yet
merciful blow fell upon his head. AS
consciousness left him he felt himself
rushing dtzzlly upward, grasped by pow
erful hands and Whisked through the
opening into air so hot and sitting that
his last thought was Of the fires OF hell
Not many minutes passed before con-
eciousness. which had been but par
TALLY lost, returned to him. The ring
ing sensation remained In his head. but
he was no longer choking. The moose
had been removed from his neck the
rope itself was now serving as bond
for his hands and feet, a fact that inn
pressed itself upon him when he tried
70 rise. For some time he lay perfect
y Still urging his senses into play,
wondering where he was and what had
happened 20 him
1t was pitch dark and the air was
hot and close. Not a sound came 10
MS throbbing ears. With characteristic
irrepressibility he began 10 swear soft
" but articulately. Proof that his
profanity was mild-one might say gen
feel-came In an instant A grun voice
voice. startingly near at hand, inter-
''spit it out. young feHert Swear like
q man, not ike damn canary bird
Truxton tried hard 70 pierce the dark
ness. a strange thrill passing through
his veins. The hidden speaker was un-
GUEbAAUuaptE an american.
What the devil does all this mesn?"
demanded the captive. Where am T2''
TT means business. and you re here;
that's where you are" was the sarcas-
tic answer.
Are you an American"
mo. I'm a Chinaman."
"Oh. come or Answer square"
an afterthought: Kentucky"
You're IN a damned nice business.
I'll say. that for YOU groWled TruNton.
Who Is responsible for this outrage
He heard the man yawn prodigiously.
Depends on what you call an outrage"
This is the damnedest high-handed
outrage I've ever
Better save your breath. young fell
Ter. You won't have il very long, so
save what you can Of IT,"
Truxton was silent for a moment,
analysing this unique remark. You
mean am to stop breathing alto
.'somethIng Ike that"
II don't know"
You don't know? Well. who does?"
'Youn md out when the boss gets
good and ready"
you are a fine American"
Look here, young teller. I've been
polite 10 you. so don't get gay. I'll
come over there and kick your jaw in"
Come ahead Anything 70 break the
Didn't you get enough OF the hang
mans knot and the saudbagF Want
AittEs en- " ell II 4 WASH I SO earned
comfortable I'd come over there and
give IL 70 you. Now don't rile metz
Il deserve 10 be kicked for being such
a biithering fool as 10 get into this mess.
Come on and kick me-
You wanted 10 get a poke at the
old mans eye. did We? BY thunder.
that's like an American. Never salts
fed to let things alone. See what il got
you intoT
'''rhe old mans eye2 What old man ''
That's for you 70 ind out, IL you can.
You've made a he'll OF a poor start
at It."
you re a good-natured scoundreI"
Thanks for them kind words
"WelI, what are you going to do with
me2 I don't like the air in here It's
awful How long do I STAY hereg''
Say, you're a gritty little man. /
ike your nerve. Too bad we amt on
the same side. n tell you this you
won't be here long. How would the old
girl down there put it, You re going
On a long voyage That's IL. But first