The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-04-28
CHAPTER Y.

CHAPTER y.
THE IRON COUNT.
vw WHEN King. in the kindness of
AAg his heart. grasped the old
" VI woman 10 keep her from fall
ing TO The door he played di-
rectly into the hands OF very material
agencies under her control. The next
instant something struck him in the
face. Then with fierce jerk this same
object frightened about his neck.
y moose had been dropped over his
head As he was pulled backward his
startled. buIgtng eyes swept the cell
ing Above hin a square opening had
appeared IN the ceiling. Two ugly,
bearded faces We're leaning over the
edge, and strong hands We're graspins
thick rope. He was stranglinS.
FranticaHy he Grasped the rope, lifting
himself from the floor in the effort
TO loosen the moose with his free hand
= hoarsc laugh broke upon his dining
ears, the leering faces drew nearer
and -hen as everything went black 4
heavy yet mercifuI blow fell upon his
head.
Not many minutes passed before con-
seiousness, 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-
bling ears. With characteristic ire
possibility he began to swear softly,
but articulately. 4 gruff voice, star
tlinGly near at hand. interrupted him.
spit 1t out, young fellow. Swear
like a man, not like blamed canary
bird"
The hidden speaker was unquestion-
ably an American.
tive.
You're here, that's where you are"
was the sarcastic answer.
Are you an Americana"
NO; am Chinaman. I 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 1 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
q 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:"
1.-THE old mans eye? What old
man.
That's for you to find out, II you
can. You've. made poor start q [ it"
How do you, an American, happen
to be mixed up in a deal like this:"
Its healthier work than making bar
rels at was going to say Sing Sing.
httt 7 hnn hny oh a ha NJ
l prefer outdoor work"
Fugitive, eh?"
You might call it that I'm wanted
in seven states. The demand for me
IS great"
That he had fallen into the hands of
4 band of conspirators was quite clear
to King. Whether they were brigands
or more important operators against
the crown he was of course in no posi-
ton to decide. Time would tell
1t 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
be disposed of for reasons best known
to his captors.
Like Il shot the warning of Olga
Platanova flashed into his brain. His
guard had mentioned 1.-The old man"
1Opu SOuIu SkIAAAAL.
! The cold perspiration was standing on
+ Kings brow SpantzI He recalled the
wickedness in the armorer's face. But
why should Spantz wish him evil?
The anarchists, The reds, Olga was
an avowed anarchist. by CAD, they
think am detectivc." he exclaimed,
light coming to him with n rush.
WHATS that!" snapped the other.
TruXton could almost feel the others
body grow tense despite the space be-
tween them. Are you detective?
Are you? If you are. I'll finish you up
right here. You
mo! They're on the wrong scent.
By Jove. the laughs on old man
SpantZ."
"Oho, So you do know what's up.
then? SpantZ, eh? Well. what you've
guessed at or found out won't make
much difference, my fine young fell
layxp
Continued till next week.