The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-08
CHAPTER X
The Iron Count.

sept, loO3.)
CHAPTER X
The Iron Count.
When King, in the kindness of
his heart, grasped the old woman
to keep her from falling to the
floor, he played directly 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 fainting
spell of the fortune-teller. 1t 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 sud
den recovery; there was only time
to see a fiendish grin flash into
her face. The next instant some
thing struck him in the face; then
with a fierce jerk this same OBJ
ject frightened about his neck. His
attempt to yell out was checked
before a sound could issue from
his lips.
1t all came to him in flash.
A moose had been dropped over
his head; as he was pulled back
ward, his startled, bullying eyes
swept the ceiling. The mystery
was explained, but in manner
that left him small room for sat
Iisfaction. Above him a square
Opening had appeared in the cell
ing; two ugly, bearded laces were
leaning over the edge and strong
hands were grasping thilk rope.
In a frenzy of fear and desper-
alton he cast the old woman from
him and tore violently at the rope.
They were drawing hard from
above; his toes were barely touch
ing the floor; he was stranglying.
Frantically 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 DINING ears, the
leering faces drew nearer; and
then, as everything went black. a
heavy, yet merciful blow fell upon
his head. AS consciousness left
him, he felt himself rushing dir
lilly upward. grasped by powerful
hands and whisked through the
opening into air so hot and stiff
fling that his last thought. was of
the fires of He'll.
Not many minutes passed be-
fore consciousness, which had
been but partially lost, returned
to him. The ringing 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
"a bond for his hands and feet, a
fact that impressed itself upon
him when he tried to rise. For
some time he lay perfectly Still,
urging his senses into play: won
.dering where he was and what
mad happened TO MIN.
It was pitch dark and the air
was hot and close. Not a sound
came to his throbbing ears. With
irrepressibility he
began to swear softly, but articu-
lately. Proof that his profanity
was mild--one might say genteel
came in an instant. A gruff
voice, startlingly near at hand, In
Iterrupted him.
"Spit it out, young feller!
Swear like man, not like a damn
|canary bird"
Truxton tried hard to pierce
the darkness, strange thrill
passing through his veins. The
hidden speaker was unquestiona-
billy an American.
what the devil does all this
mean?" demanded the captive.
Where am II"
'It means business, and you're
here. that's where you are," was
the sarcastic answer.
Are you an Americana"
mo. I'm a Chinaman."
"Oh, come off Answer square.
well, I was born in Newport. :"
As an afterthought: kentucky"
you're in a damned nice bust
ness, I'll say that for you"
growled Truxton. "Who is re-
sponsible for this outrage?"
He heard the man yawn prodig-
Iiously. Depends on what you
call an outrage"
s'This is the damnedest high
handed outrage I've ever"
"Better save your breath,
young Teller. You won't have 1t
very long. so save what you can
of It."
Truxton was silent for mo-
mont. analysing this unique re-