Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-09
CHAPTER XIV.
THE GIRL IN THE RED Cre

CHAPTER XIV.
THE GIRL IN THE FED CroAK.
- inside Of an hour after the re-
turn Of the frightened. quiverina
groom who had escaped from the
brigands in the hills Jack Tullis
was granted permission by the war
department. TO take hundred picked
men with him in the effort to over
take and capture the abductors of his
sister. The dazed grooms story hard
ly had been told to the Mortified broth
er before he was engaged in telephon-
ing to General Braze and Baron Dam
gloss. A hurried consultation fol-
lowed.
Baron Dangloss was sadly upset.
Three prominent persons had been
stolen from beneath his nose, 80 to
speak. He was beside himself with
rage and dismay. This last outrage
was the climax. The old man adored
the sister of Jack Tulns. He was
heartbroken and crushed by the news
Of the catastrophe.
Captain Haas Of the dragons was
put In charge Of the relief party. The
party WAS armed and equipped for a
bitter chase. Word had been sent to
serros, the capital Of Dawsbergen.
asking the assistance Of Prince DAN
tan IN the effort to overtake the alb
ductors. A detachment, it was an
nounced In reply. was to start from
Serros during the afternoon bound for
the eastern passes.
Baron Dangloss rode to tho southern
gate with the white faced. suffering
Tullis. I'VE will undoubtedly receive
a communication from the rascals this
afternoon or tomorrow" he said
gloomily. '.They will not be slow to
make formal demand for ransom.
knowing that you and your sister are
possessed Of unlimited wealth. Hello!
Who's this?'
A man who had ridden up to the
gates. his horse covered with foam.
was demanding admission. The ward
ers halted him unceremoniously as
Dangloss rode forward. They found
that he was one Of the foremen In the
employ Of the railway construction
company. He brought the disquieting
news that another strike had been de-
clared, that the men were ugly audi
determined to tear up the track az
ready laid unless their demands were
considered and, furthermore, that there
had been severe fighting between the
two factions engaged on the work.
He urgently implored Dangloss to
send troops out to hold the rioters in
check.
What is your name?' demanded the
harassed minister Of police.
Poison replied the foreman. lie
lied. for he was no other than John
Cromer. the unsavory husband of Anna
Cromer of the committee OF ten.
"Come with me-" said Dangloss.
I'VE will go to General Braze. Good
by and good luck, Tullis."
At that very moment Lorraine Tullis
was comparing notes with Truxton
King in the room beneath the armor-
er's shop. Count Marianx was hiding
in the traders inn outside the northern
gates. The abductors themselves were
scattered about the city, laughing tri-
umphantly over the success Of the ruse
that had drawn the well feared Amer
lean away on wild goose chase to the,
distant passes Of Dawsbergen. More
than that, at O'Clock In the afternoon
a second detachment Of soldiers left
the city for the scene Of the riots In
The construction camps, twenty miles
away.
Surely the well laid plans OF the
Iron Count were being skillfully car
ried out!
All afternoon and evening menstrag-
gled In from the hills and surroundings
country, apparently loath to miss the
early excitement attending the cere-
monies on. the following day. sullen
strikers from the camps came down..
cursing the company, but drinking
noisy toasts to the railroad and Its fu-.
ture. The city by night swarmed with
reveling thousands. The bands were
playing, the crowds were singing and
mobs were drinking and carousing I'M
the lower end.
AT . OCIOCk Ill Luc uOEuluE WOEU
few from brothel to brothel, from
lodging house to lodging house, in all
parts Of the slumbering city. A thou-
sand men crept out into the streets
after the storm, all animated by one
impulse, all obeying single fierce in-
junction.
They were to find and kill tall
Americana! They were to keep him or
his companion from getting in touch
with the police authorities or with the
royal castle, no matter what the cost!
At o'clock stealthy whisper went
the rounds, reaching the ear of every
vagabond and cutthroat engaged in the
untiring vigil. Like smoke they faded
away. The silent watch was over
The word had sped to every corner
Of the town that 1T was no longer nec-
essary to maintain the watch for
Truxton King. He was no longer in
position to give them trouble OF UNI
easiness.
Il