The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-10

woman TO keep der from 1ail-
ing to the floor he played d.
rectly into the hands OF very material
agencies under her control. The next
instant something struck him In the
face. Then with fierce jerk this same
object frightened about his neck
A moose had been dropped over his
head. As he was pulled backward his
startled bullying eyes swept the cell
Ing. Above him square opening had
I appeared In the ceiling. Two uefy.
bearded faces were leaning over the
edge, and strong hands were grasping
{ thick rope. He was strangiing.
Frantically he grasped the rope. lifting
himself from the floor In the effort
to loosen the moose with his free hand.
4 hoarse laugh broke upon his DINING
ears, the lee:iIg faces drew nearer,
and then as everything went black
heavy yet merciful blow fell upon his
head.
( Not many minutes passed before con-
( sciousness, which had been but par
TALLY lost, returned to him. 1t was
pitch dark. and the air was hot and
close. Not sound came to his throb-
] bIng ears With characteristic ire
pressibiIity he began to swear softly.
but articulately. A grufT voice, star
tllngly near at hand interrupted him.
Spit 1t out, young fellow. Swear
like man, not like blamed canary
Bird
The hidden speaker was unquestion-
ably an American.
where am IL" demanded the cap
tive.
You're here. that's where you are"
was the sarcastic answer.
Are You an American
NO; | am Chinaman. I was born
in Ncwport"-as an afterthought--
"keHtaeky "-------
This is the worst high handed out.
rage I've ever
Better save your breath. young fell
low. You won't have 1t very long, 80
save what ycu can of IT,"
"You mean | ain to stop breathing
altogether asked the prisoner,
Something like that"
"Why?'
You'll find cut when the boss gets
good and ready. You wanted to get
n poke at ihe old mans eye. Lid you?
BY thunder. that's like an American
never satisfied to let things alone. See
what 1t got you into:"
The old mans eye? What old
MANI"
That's fer you TO fnd out. II you
can. You've made poor start nj it,"
How do you, an American, happen
to be mixed up in a deal like this"
Its healthier work than making bar
rels all was going to say Sing Sing.
but bear they've changed the name.
prefer outdoor work"
Fugitive. eh?"
You might call 1t that I'm wanted
in seven states The demand for me
is great
That he had fallen into the hands OF
a band of conspirators was quite clear
to King. Whether they were brigands
or more important operators against
the crown lie was of course ia no posi-
ton to decide Time would tell.
1t was enough that they expected to
kill him sooner or later. This In itself
was sufficient to convince him that he
was not to be held for ransom. but to
be disposed Of for reasons best known
to his captors.
Like a shot the warning of Olga
Platanova flashed into his brain. His
guard had mentioned the old man.
Good heavens. Could he mean Spantz7
The cold perspiration was standing on
Kings brow. Spantz. He recalled the
wlckedness in the armorer's face. But
why should Spantz wish him evil?
The anarchists, The reds! Olga was
an avowed anarchist. by CAD. they
think am a detective" he exclaimed.
light coming to him with rush.
whats that:" snapped the other.
Truxton could almost feel the others
body grow tense despite the space be-
tween them. Are you detcctive2
Are you? If you are. I'll finish you up
right here. You
"No. They're on the wrong scent.
BY Jove, the laughs on old man
spantz"
Ohio. So you do know what's up.
then: Spantz. Ell? Well. what you've
guessed at or found out won't make
much difference. my fine young Eel
low"
ITO be continued.)