The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-05-31
H. / Ill USI w Ia, BY Jacques Futrelle
Copyright 1909 TO a I'D IT, r
BY Bobbe-Merrila Co ~ A\JO 1Gn JUn

| The prince glanced again at his
watch. then thoughtfully weighed
1.-THE percussion cap In his hand,
latter which, with q curious laugh,
he walked over to the squat iron
globe in an opposite corner of the
room. He bent over 1t half a
minute. then Strengthened up.
That cap, Mr.. Grimm. has one
disadvantage" he remarked casu-
Tally. when it is attached to a
mime or torpedo 1t can not be dis
connected without firing It. II is
ATTACHED" He turned to the
|others. cit is needless to dis
cuss the matter further just now.
If you will follow met We will
leave Mr.. Grimm here"
With a strange little cry, mel
Their anger nor anguish, yet odd
ly partaking of the quality of
each, Isabel went quickly to the
prince.
How dare you do such a
thing?" she demanded fiercely.
1t is murder"
This is not time, Miss
lThorne, for your interference.
replied the prince coldly. 1T has
all passed beyond the point where
the feelings of the woman who
has engineered the compact, can
be considered. A single life can
not be permitted to stand in the
way of the contamination of this
world project. Mr.. Grimm alive
means the compact would be use
less, If not impossible; Mr.. Grimm
dead means the fruition of all our
plans and hopes. You have done
your duty and you have done il
well; but now your authority
ends. and /, the special envoy
of"
lust moment, please" Mr.
Grimm interrupted courteously
"As l understand it, your High
ness, the mine there in the corner
is oharged?"
Yes. 1t just happened to be
here for purposes of experiment
"The cap Is attached?"
Quite right The primes
laughed.
And at three o'clock, by your
watch, the mine will be fired by 4
wireless operator fifteen miles
from here?"
Something like that; yes, yer,
much like that" assented tn,
prince.
Thank you. l merely wanted
! to understand It," Mr.. Grimm
pulled a chair up against tn
door and sat down, crossing hi
legs. On his knees rested tn
barrel of a revolver, glittering
fascinating. in the semi-darkness
Nov, gentlemen, and h
glanced at his watch, "1t's TWEEN
ty-one minutes of three O'Clock
At three that mine will explode
We will all be in the room whel
it happens, unless his Highnes
sees fit to destroy the compact.
Eyes sought eyes, and tn
prince removed his mask with
sudden gesture. His face wa
bloodless.
'If any man." and Mr.. Grimm
gave Miss Thorne quick glancs
II should say, any person, al
tempts to leave this room I.
know he will die; and there's
bare chance that the percussio
leap will fail to work. / can az
count for six of you, IL there is
l. rush"
But, man, II that mine 81
lplodes we shall all be killed
blown to pieces!" burst from on
lof the cowled figures.
t'If the percussion cap works,
supplemented Mr.. Grimm.
Mingled emotions struggled 1
1.-THE flushed face Of Isabel as sh
studied Mr.. Grimm's impassiy
countenance.
81 have never disappointed 20
yet. Miss Thorne," he remarke
as IL it we're an explanation.
shall not now"
She turned to the prince.
your Highness, 1 think
3 needless to argue further" sh
said. 1--WE have no choice in tn
matter; there is only one cours
destroy the compact"
mol" was the curt answer.
II believe 1 know Mr.. Grimm
better than you do" she argued
You think he will weaken;
know he will not. 1 am not argu
lug for him, nor for myself;
am arguing against the frightfu
! loss that will come here in thi
: room If the compact is not de
q Istroyed."
9 tits absurd to let one mai
stand in the way" declared tn
s prince angrily.
{ ut might not be an imperti
nent question. your Highness!
o lcommented Mr.. Grimm, ''for nj
a TO ask how you are going to pre-
. vent one man standing in tn,
. Iway?"
A quick change came over Mis-
Il horne's face. The eyes hard
1ened, the lips were set, and line
Mr.. Grimm had never seen an
Ipeared about the mouth. Here
lin a flash, the cloak of dissimula
ton was cast aside, and tn,
woman stood forth, this keen
brilliant, determined woman whit
, did things.
"The compact will be destroy