The Delta independent., 1910-12-16
CHAPTER XVI.


near by. and three men iumped lipht.
ly to the road.
In the radiance of the lamps on the
two cars, Orme recognized Arima. The
men with MIN were aso Japanese,
.hoCsh ofme was not conscious that
he had ever seen them before.
1t was clear enough how he and the
girl had b.undered into the hands
Of the Orientals. Maku had undoubt
ed-y secured GER and had driven 1t
TO the vicinity of the Rookery in re
sponse to a telephoned order from
Alcatrante, transmitted, in all likeli
hood. through the Japanese minister
The appearance of the car on La
Sale street had been expected by the
South American. Perhaps he had not
anticipated that Orme would hail it.
the probability was that he had wished
Maku's assistance without a definite
idea of what that assistance should
be. but the use of the car by Orme
fell in nicely with his plans. He had
assumed readily enough the direction
the car would take, and getting
promptly into telephone communica
ton with Arima, had arranged this
meeting on the road
Orme now remembered that Ari.
mas car. when approaching, had
sounded its horn at regular intervals
in series of threes-evidentiy a signal
Don't worry. girl. dear" whispered
Orme. L" he broke off his SEN
tence as the newcomers clustered
about the tonneau. but the confident
glance of her eyes reassured him.
He knew not what they were to
face. The Japanese, he inferred
would not deal with him pleasantly
but surely they would not harm the
girl.
Arima opened the door of the ton
neau and with a lightning motion
grasped Orme by the wrist
Get out" he ordered
Orme was in no mind to obey
There were four of the Orientals
against him, and he stood little chance
OF success in a fight with them, but
If he could only delay matters. some
one might pass and he could raise an
alarm. So he sat firm, and said.
calmly:
What do you want?"
Get out, repeated Arima
When Orme still made no move to
leave his seat. the steely fingers on
his wrist ran up his forearm and
pressed down hard upon a nerve
center. The pain was almost unbear-
able, and for the moment his arm was
paralyzed. quick jerk brought him
to the ground. AS he alighted. stum-
blingly. Maku caught him by the 9TH
er arm. He was held In such a way
~ g. r. a.
to struggle. Arima. meantime. spoke
rapidly in Japanese to Maku. Per-
haps he. as commander Of the situa-
ton. was giving precise orders as to
what was to be done.
Orme looked over his shoulder at
the girl. She was clutching the door
of the tonneau and leaning forward
staring with Mortified eyes.
Keep COOL" he counseled.
Her answer was a moan of anguish.
and he realized that she feared for
him.
Suddenly she began to call for help
Twice her cries rAnx oat. and theh
one of the Japanese lesrel into the
tonneau and placed his hand over her
mouth, smothering her voice.
The sight of this action was too
much for Orme. He began a furious
effort to break away from his cap
tors. One sudden motion freed his
right arm from Arima's clutch. and
he reached for Maku's throat. But
after a moment of scufiing he was
again held securely.
Girl" he shouted, don't try to
call out. Keep quiet"
The Japanese in the tonneau ap
peared to understand the words. for
he took his hand away from the girls
mouth. though he remained beside Ter,
ready to put an end to any fresh out
break
Now" said Orme. turning his eyes
on Arima, what does this mean"
You give US papers," replied the
Japanese softly.
Il have no papers that mean any
thing to you"
I'VE see. Give them to me-"
What papers do you wantr de-
manded Orme.
You know" Arimas voice sound
ed less patient.
But have nothing that you care
| anything about" repeated Orme
| At that Arima began rapidly to
search Orme's pockets. There was
sufncient light from the lamps Of the
two cars to illuminate the scene.
| Arima's left hand still held Orme's
right forearm. and his right hand was
FREQ to hunt for the papers. Maku.
on the other side. had meantime
strengthened his grip on Orme's left
arm, at the same time raising one
knee 10 that Orme could feel 1t press
ing against the small of his back
What this!" asked .Arima, taking