The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-03
CHAPTER K.
THE IRON COUNT.

| THE IRON COUNT.
 WW WHEN King, Iii the kindness of AS4aE his heart, grasped the old | V V woman to keep her from fall ing to the floor he played di- | rectly into the hands of very material agencies under her control. The next instant somsthing struck him in the face. Then with a fierce jerk this same object frightened about his neck. | A moose had been dropped over his head. As he was pulled backward his startled, bulging eyes swept the cell ing Above him square opening had appeared in the ceiI1ng. TWO ugly, bearded faces were leaning over the edge, and strong hands were grasping thick rope. He was strangling Fra, tically he grasped the rope, lifting himself from the floor in the effort to loosen the moose with his free hand A hoarse laugh broke upon his dinning ears, the leering faces drew nearer, and then as everything went black a heavy yet merciful blow fell upon his head.
 1 Not many minutes passed before con- sciousness, which had been but par tially lost, returned to him. It was pitch dark, and the air was hot and l close. Not sound came to his throb- ping ears. With characteristic ire possibility he began to swear softly, but articulately. A gruff voice, star ti.ngly near at hand, interrupted him. l "Spit it out, young fellow! Swear like a man, not like blamed canary bird.''
 The hidden speaker was unquestion- ably an American.
 Where am I?' demanded the cap- tive.
 You're here, that's where you are" was the sarcastic answer. Are you an Americanw
 "No; I am a Chinaman. Twas born in Newport"-as an afterthought- Kentucky"
 ''This is the worst high handed out rage I've eyer"-
 Better save your breath, young fel- low. You won't have it very long, so save what you can of it."
 'You mean I am to stop breathing altogether2" asked the prisoner.
 Something like that"
 "Why?"
 You'll find out when the boss gets good and ready You wanted to get poke at the old mans eye, did you? By thunder, that's like an American never satisfied to let things alone. See what it got you into?"
 ''The old mans eye? What old , mani"
 That's for you to find out, if you can. You've made poor start at it. .". How do you, an American, happen to be mixed up in a deal like this?"
 'It's healthier work than making bar rels at-I was going to say Sing Sing, but hear they've changed the name. prefer outdoor work" Fugitive, eh?"
 "You might call it that Pm wanted in seven states. The demand for me is great.''
 That he had fallen into the hands o1 band of conspirators was quite clear to King. Whether they were brigands
 or more important operators against the crown he was of course in no posi-
 ton to decide. Time would tell. It was enough that they expected to
 kill him sooner or later. This in itself
 was sufficient to convince him that he was not to be held for .Ssom, but to be disposed of for reasons best known
 to his captors.
 Like a shot the warning of Olga : Platanova flashed into his brain.. His guard had mentioned "the old man. Good heavens! Could he mean Spantzi ,, The co!A precipitation was standing or Kings brow. Spantz! He recalled the wickedness in the armorer's face. But why should Spantz wish him evil?
 The anarchists! The reds! Olga was
 an avowed anarchist. By gad, they , think am detectivev' he exclaimed light coming to him with rush. Whats that" snapped the other Truxton could almost feel the others body grow tense despite the space be tween them Are you a detective
 Are you? If you are, I'll finish you uI
 right here. You "No! They're on the wrong scent By love, the laughs on old mar Spantz."
 "Oho! So you do know what's up i, then? Spantz, eh? We'll, what you've guessed at or found out won't make much difference, my fine young fel : low"
 The glimmer of a light came bob
 ping up from somewhere behind Trux ,. ton He could see the fiickering shad ows on the wall. Two men .crept int
 the room q moment later. One of then : carried a lantern; the other turned
 Kings body over with his foot. Trux
 ton saw that the three rufians wer' y great, brutal faced fellows, with bare arms that denoted toll as well as spoils , The third man grasped the prisoner b
 the feet, swearing in a language o his own. The Yankee desperado too
 his shoulders, and together with cal
 nest grunts, they followed the ma with the lantern. He could see tha
 they were crowding through a low
 narrow passage, finally depositing hir with scant courtesy upon the rock !, floor of wLat proved to be rathe !, cOmmodious cave. . Daylight streamed into this conve1 iant 6hoIa in thn waIJ." lying mon hi