Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-11
CHAPTER y.
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. The next
instant something struck him in the
face Then with a fierce jerk this
same object tightened about his neck.
A moose had been dropped over his
head. As he was pulled backward his
startled, bulging eyes swept the CELL
ing. Above him square opening had
appeared in the ceiling. Two ugly,
bearded faces were leaning over the
edge. and strong hands were grasping
a thick rope. He was Strangling.
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 dinning
ears, the leerinS faces drew nearer,
and then as everything went black a
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 a sound came to his throb-
bing ears With characteristic ire
pressibility be began to swear softly,
but articulately. A gruff voice, start
Iingly near at hand, interrupted him.
Spit it out, young fellow! Swear
like a man, not like Il blamed canary
bird"
The hidden speaker was unquestion-
ably an American.
Where am L." demanded the cap
tive.
You're here, that's where you are. y
was the sarcastic answer.
Are you an American"
No: l am a Chinaman. l was born
in Newport"-as an afterthought-
Kentucky"
This is the worst high handed out
rage I've ever
Better save your breath. young fell
low. You won't have it very long, so
save what you can of it,
You mean l am to stop breathing
altogether" asked the prisoner.
Something like that"
"Why?"
You'll find out when the boss gets
good and ready. You wanted to get
Il poke at the old mans eye, did you?
BY thunder that's like an American
never satisfied to let things alone. See
what it got you into?"
The old mans eyes? What old
man."
That's for you to find out, if you
can. You've made a poor start at it. y
How do you, an American, happen
to be mixed up in a deal like this
It's healthier work than making
barrels at was going to say Sing
Sing. but l hear they've changed the
name l prefer outdoor work
Fugitive, eh?"
You might call it that. I'm wanted
i'm seven states. The demand for me
is great
That he had fallen into the hands of
= band of cOnSpiratOrs was quite clear
To- King. Whether they were briSands
or more important operators against
th, crown he was of course in no posi-
tion To decide Time would tell.
II 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
he disposed of for reasons best known
t. mis- captors.
Like shot the warning of olga
platanova flashed into his brain. His
guard had mentioned the old man.
Good heavens! Could he mean SpantZ?
The cold perSpiration was standing on
Kings brow. SpantZ! He recalled the
wickcdnrSS in the armOrer's face. But
why should Spantz wish him evil?
The anarchists, The reds. olga was
I'm avnwed anarchist. by CAD. they
mink am Il detective" he exclaimed
light coming To him with a rush.
Whats that" snapped the other
Truxton could almost feel tn" other;
body grow tense despite the space be-
tween them. Are YOU detective,
Are YOU? If YOU are. III finish YOU VI
right here. YOU
No, They're on the wrong scent
By Jovc. tn" laughs on old man
Spantz."
"Oho. So you de- know what's up
then" Srantz ch@ Well. what you've
guessed at nr found out won't make
much difference. my fine young fell
low"
The glimm"r of a light cam" bob
hing up from somewhere. behind TruX-
ton. He could see the tliCkcring Shad-
uws ON the wall. Two men crcpt int
the room Il moment later ON" of them
carried a lantern: tine other turned
Kings body over with his foot. TruX-
tom saw that the three ruttianS were
great. brutal faced fellows. with bar"C
lrms that denoted toll as well as
sroils The third man graSped th'
prisoner by the feet. swearing in
language Of his own. The Yankee
deSpcradn took his shoulders. and to-
,.t., with earnest yluntS they fol