Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-03-13

form lay on the rug. it was still for
a moment. The impact of Van TasePs
fist had been stunning.
Van Tasel yanked down a curtain
cord, with which to bind Leander, and
meanwhile Fosdick stuffed a hand
kerchief into his maJesty's mouth. At
that moment, the intrepid James APP
peared on the scene, his knees knock
ing together and his jaws hitting each
other like a man with the ague. AT
heart he was brave enough.
II would like to 'elp sir"
"All right, James," said Van Tasel,
"you may sit on the king while we
do up his arms and legs. All! that's
fine"
BY the time Leander understood what
had happened, he was incapable or
either shouting or kicking. His glar-
ing eyes alone told of his fury.
MY princessl" said Van Tasel, turn
ing away from the PROSTATE monarch
Heaven has been good, but there Is
not a moment to waste. Quick! Let
us gol"
Lucretia gathered her strength at
her lovers words.
II am ready" she said.
She swayed, despite her courage.
IAN Tasel caught and supported her
Then, turning to Fosdick, he said:
King. Alexander will help"
"What?" cried Fosdick Fetch the
king? Are you mad, Van Tasel?"
mo" Kissed Van Tasel. 81 am saner
than you. Do you want to leave him
here to be released in minute? Fos-
dick, they'd be after us in twinkling.
We must take him along! Do you
hear?"
The undertaking seemed both rash
and impossible, but Fosdiek and James
grabbed a leg apiece and Alexander
got his majesty by the neck Together
they dragged him, like a carcass of
pork, across the room. The mass of
royal inertia, however, was too great
to be moved in this cumbersome fash
ion. Fosdick quickly hit on a better
plan. With his pocket knife he cut off
the thongs that held the kings legs.
Get upl" he commanded, land if
you make fuss I'll let you have this
full blade in the small of your back"
The king, feeling the point of the
knife between his shoulders, got up.
Nov go along!" commanded Fos-
dick, "and remember that the knife is
behind YOU
1t was, indeed, behind the king-so
close that at every step 1t brought a
drop of blood. The slower he walked,
the deeper it cut With the gag shut
ting off his wind Leander was hard
pressed.
1t had all been done with small dis
turbanee, and yet in the hallway Van
Tasel encountered old Van Wandeleer
and two or three servants. The glitter
of a pistol was enough to overawe
them. however. Householders and SER
wants in New York are not desperate
men. Van Tasel WAS desperate.
They fled for cover.
With Van Tasel supporting the
princess the adventures left the house
as they had entered it. Making the
exit to Third avenue by the private
passageway they reached the waiting
automobile, the chauffeur having
brought it, in accordance with Van
Tasels instructions, ITO the nearest
available point.
Third avenue was all but deserted,
and they met with no interference.
In a twinkling his majesty was piled
into the rear seat with his guards. Van
Tasel handed Lucratia up in front and
climbed beside her. She should not
get out of his reach now that he had
her again! He would fight whole
regiment, face a company of artillery,
defy Satan himself before the princess
should be taken from him IF they
took her now it would be over his life
less body. He was certain of that.
The touring car had given a lunge,
- - l.