Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-27

quickly scrambled to his feet and
wheeled about
Two men stood between him and
the door, which had been closed ST.
lently and swiftly. They were short
and stockily built. Orme exclaimed
aloud, for the light that filtered
through a window from the street
showed two faces Enthusiastically ORR
entail.
If this was an ordinary robbery. tho
daring Of the robbers was almost in
credible. They ran the risk that the
porter would return-if they had not
already made away with him. Only
the most desperate purpose could e1-
plain their action.
What do you want?" demanded
Orme
Your pocket book" replied one OF
the men-"queek!" He smiled an
elusive smile as he spoke
What II refuse?" said O,me.
"Then we take. Be queek."
A call for help would hardly bring
anyone; but Orme gave a loud cry,
with any hope of rescue.
At the same instant he rushed to-
ward the door, and struck out at tho
nearer Japanese.
The blow did not land. His wrist
was caught in grip like an iron
clamp, and he found himself perform
ing queer gyrations. The Japanese
had turned his back toward Orme and
swung the imprisoned arm over his
shoulder. A quick lurch forward, and
Orme sailed through the air. coming
down heavily on his side. His arm
was still held, and in q few seconds
he was on his back. his assailants
astride him and smiling down into his
face.
Orme struggled to free himself, and
promptly felt breaking strain on his
imprisoned arm. The knee OF the
Japanese was under the back of
Orme's elbow. A moderate use Of the
leverage thus obtained would snap the
arm like pipe stem. This Orme
realized, as he ceased struggling. Tho
strain on his arm relaxed slightly, but
the grip was maintained.
"Jiu-jttsu," explained the Japanese
in a tone that sounded gently apollo
getic.
The other robber now stopped and
ran his hands over Orme's coat. Find
ing the pocket book. he took it from
its inside pocket and went swiftly to
the table. He produced from his own
pocket little electric hand lamp, by
the light of which he took rapid count
of Orme's money.
His eyes glittered; a wide scar on
his forehead stood out whitley. Sud-
denly he gave a little cry and held up
a single bill. He jabbered excitedly
spoke quietly to Orme.
This all we want" he said. I'VE
are not thief, see-I put other five
dollar bill in its place and leave pocket
book here"
He thrust the selected bill into his
pocket, put the fresh bill in the
pocket book, and laid the pocket book
on the table.
See here" said Orme, still prone,
whats the meaning of all this?"
Don't say" The Japanese smiled.
He went over to the door. Come"
he said. The man astride Orme re-
leased his hold and sprang to his feet.
Like flash, both the Japanese disaD-
peared.
Orme jumped up. Selling his
pocket book and his hat, he darted
after his assailants. At the street en-
c.rance to the tunnel, he looked quick
1x, IN 5jrn1tfNno hit his men
were not in sight.
Pursuit was futile. Slowly he turned
back. He thought of notifying the
police, but, after all, he was none the
worse oif-except for his promise to
Poritol and Alcatrante, now inyoiun-
tarily broken. He must explain to
them as best he could. The marked
bill had been Of no consequence to
him except as focus of adventure.
And he had had about dis much adven-
ture as he could expect for one eve
ming.
But the secret of the bill still tanta-
Nzed him. Blindfolded, he had played
in a game at which the others saw. 1t
seemed unfair-as if he had some
right to know the meaning Of all these
mysterious incidents. Why had Pc
ritol wanted the bill SO badly? Why
had the desire to possess it driven the
two Japanese to such extreme meas
ures?
Orme crossed the court and entered
the lobby. The clerk looked at him
curiously.
"Mr. Orme," he said, there is a
young lady in the reception room,
waiting to see you"
Meg" Orme looked his surprise.
Eyes, sir She gave no name"
! "Has she been waiting long7"
NEARLY an hour"
Without further questioning, Orme
turned to the door of the little green
and geld room. At the threshold he
paused in bewilderment. Arising to
meet him. smiling frankly, was the
girl Of the car.
CHAPTER w.
Tho Girl If the Car