Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-23
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CHAPTER XVI.

Tho Struggle.
y Tho approaching car now drew up
Aear by, and three men jumped light.
II to the road.
In the radiance Of the lamps ON the
two cars, Orns recognised ArimA. The
men with him were also japanese.
though orme was not conscious that
10 had ever seen them before.
It was clear enough how he and the
girl had blundered into the hands
Of tho Orientals. Maku had undoubt-
eddy secured car and had driven 1t
to the vici2ity Of the Reokery in re-
Spouse to telephoned order from
AlcatTante. transmitted, in all likeli-
hood. through the japanese minister.
The appearance Of the car On La
Sale street had been expected by the
SoutA American. Perhaps he had not
anticipated that orme would hail It;
the probability was that he had wished
Naku's assistance without q definite
ddea OF what that assistance should
be. but the use of the car by Orme
fell in nicely with his plans. He haA
assumed readily enough the direction
the car would take, and getting
promptly into telephone communities
ton with Arma, 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 evidently signal
Don't worry. girl, dear" whispered
Orme. T." he broke OF his SEN
~ o1,,e$oroa
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
asau and with 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 fight with them, but
II 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 nerve
center. The pain was almost unbear-
able, and for the moment his arm was
jor ~,
to the ground. AS he alighted, Stun
blingly, Maku caught him by the 9TH
or arm. He was held in such way
that for the moment 1t seemed futile
to struggle. Arima. meantime, spoke
rapidly in Japanese to Malzu. Per
haps he, as commander of the situa-
uon. 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 moan of anguish,
and he realized that she feared for
him.
Suddenly she began to call for help
Twice her cries rang o1t. and then
enc Of the Japanese leaped into the
tsaneau and placed his HAND over her
mouth. smoshertns her voice.
The sight Of this action was too
much Tor orme. He began . 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 . moment Of scuf1ing, he was
again held securely.
"oirl." he shouted, don't try TO
call out. Keep quiet"
peereA to uHdefstand tho words, for
he took his hand away from the girls
mouth, though he remained beside her,
ready to put an end to any fresh out
break.
Nov" sid orme, turning his eyes
On Arina, what does this meant"
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 yoa want?" de-
T,anded Orms.
You k.c=." A..=:'. 5oa.>e Sound
ID Less patient.
But I have nothing that you care
anything about" repeated Orme.
At that Arina began rapidly to
search Orme's pockets. There was
sufficient light from the lamps Of the
two cars to illuminate tho scene.
Arina's lett hand still held Orme's
right forearm. and his right hand was
free 70 hunt for the paperS. Naku,
on the other side, had meantime
strengthened his grip on Orme's left
arm, at the same time raising one
knee % that Orae could feel It press
ing against tho small Of his hack.
What thisI" asked ArimA. taking
. lang envelope frum the inner peck
sk Of OEms'B cost and holding It up for
Inspection.
"A blank CONTRACT" said Orme. DO
yuu vsAt TT"
A1tmA ok the paper rum the en-
velope and examined It Then with
an exclamation 81. disgust he replaced