The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-06-17
MY God. How do you live?"

THE imperial government began
Ryder suddenly. when the EngIishman
Interrupted.
THE imperial government knows
nothing about .hs matter. The whole
rascally affair is III the hands of Il
clique OF ni@Iloorn scoundreis. Re-
solve to make yourself as comfortable
as possible under the circunlsl auces-
resign yourself To losing yonr ears tif
you ever should escape one can buy
lovely pink rubber ones. ! fancy and
hope for Il change of rulers. Nothing
else will cause excitement enough to
have our existence forgotten. Good
night!''
| Stone calmly stretched himself on
the floor and went to sleep. Ryder sat
and brooded at the bronze lantern
Pickering i'll the distance. His hand
still caressed the butt of his revolver,
but with less confidence.
| New York seemed many thousands
of miles away tonight-New York and
alluring Lena Shultz. He cursed her
under his breath and wondered how
many more men she would throw as
bait into that hidden city in the hope
that one or all of them might aid in
the escape Of her husband
There was an audible nurmur of
sound without the thick walls. pierced
| by sharp staccato cries. The thud of
many pounding feet sounded in the
courtyards above their heads. and in
an instant the six sleeping prisoners
were awake and on the alert. The
Latins gabbled French to one another.
while Stone and Ryder drew near to
an iron grating in the stone roof.
| The American could make nothing
of the strange sounds. but the Eng
lishman's face lighted with sudden ex-
element.
by Jove." he whispered exultant-
ly. you've brought good luck after
all, Ryder! Something extraordinary
has happened. from what l can hear
a change Of government indeed! Two
deaths and chaos everywhere. Time
for us to make a move and DISCUSSES
are in order"
He swooped to a dark corner and
pried up Il portion of the stone flag
ging. He brought into view a mass Of
silk and satin. He threw rich gar
ments to each Of his fellow prisoners.
and without word they slipped into
the voluminous folds.
''Doubly a thief;,' muttered Stone as
he surveyed his companions. Then he
caught up one remaining robe and
thrust it under his arm. ''See IL we
can release Lena's husband. poor
devil! We owe her a grudge, sure
enough. but white men must stand by
one another"
With the air Of one who had studied
his ground and was we'll versed in his
undertaking. he unfastened the oaken
door and by the guiding sound of his
slipping, padding feet the six followed
him into the outer darkness of corri-
doris. They twisted and turned and
doubled, and at last Stone paused be-
fore another door.
Il don't know just how to get In
side." he admitted In low tone. But
the pressure Of his hand on the planks
PUSHED the door inward and revealed
to their shocked senses a scene of car
mage indeed. With the details omit
ted. they realized that Lena's husband
was dead, with his precious secret still
a mystery behind his horribly grinning
lips.
1.-THE syndicate has done we'll in
deed" said Stone. turning away. ST.
lently they filed through the passages
until they reached the foot of the
grass grown steps where Ryder had
left the outside world behind ut is
here where the guard is set. Look for
danger. friends" whispered the Eng
lishman.
The shadows were uninhabited.
They slipped up into the grove Of
whispering trees and followed the
curve Of the shining wall around to
the seventh gate.
"Once outside" muttered Stone fe'
verishly.
in his own tongue.
In the distance were mufied cries
and excited murmurings. Around the
seventh gate all was still-ominously
still.
The seven were pressed against the
bronze gate. and Stone was fumbling
with the complicated lock. There was
a rushing sound behind them. and they
turned their heads.
A file of soldiers was running to-
ward then. and their short swords
were raised In deadly menace. Stone
pulled the door open and dashed forth
with his companions into pitchy black
ness. They crashed into a sedan chair
just entering the gateway. A WON
ans scream pierced the darkness. and
from the tower overhead the watch
man thrust his lantern.
A white face appeared for briei
instant between the parted curtains OF
the chair.
LENA Shultz" beloved Ryder ex
citedly.
With one accord the seven victims Of
. Lena Shultz ignored the oncoming sol
dierS and Shouldering the bearers