Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-06-30

by JOve." he whispered exultant-
ly, you've brought good luck after
all, Ryder! Something extraordinary
has happened. from what can hear
a change of government indeed. Two
deaths and chaos everywhere. Time
for us to make move. and disgulses
are in order"
He Swooped to a dark corner and
pried up a portion of the stone flag
cling. He brought into view a mass Of
silk and satin. He threw rich gar
ments to each Of his fellow prisoners,
and without Il 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 if 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 well 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
dors. They twisted and turned and
doubled. and at last Stone paused be-
fore another door.
II 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 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
''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
llshman.
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.
"Ogce outsider muttered Stone fe-
verishly.
"Once outside" each man repeated |
in his own tongue.
In the distance were muffled cries |
and excited murnurings. Around the
seventh gate all was still-omInously |
still.
The seven were pressed against the
bronze gate. and Stone was fumbllng
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 block
ness. They crashed into a sedan chair
just entering the gateway A wom-
ans scream pierced the darkness. and
from the tower overhead the watch
man thrust his lantern.
A white face appeared for a brief
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
aside they grasped the poles of the
chair and carried the shrieking woman
away from the seventh gate-away
from the Forbidden City beyond the
outer darkness TO the lighted consulate I
safety for all. ,
The next day Ryder and Stone left {
ior the nearest treaty port "A fifth !
story studio and paint pots for the rest
# my lie. III take my foreign ravel
book fashion hereafter" said Ryder ,,
sheepishly to his companion as they
vhirled along the railway. whats
our FIRST wish. Stone:"
The Englishman touched a matted {
Wig which hung well down. over the {
APPEL Of his coat. s
Pink rubber ears" hs said sol L
mnly. y
And neither laughed. :