The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-12-01

futile swings at the INDIANS, they
closed with them. clubbing their re-
volvers and bringing them down with
crashing force on the gaudy turbans
of the Orientals. A few seconds of
that vicious pounding stunned the
Hindoos, and 1t was then but the
work of a moment to slip handouts
on them. Kananda and All. in the
meanwhile. had made no further at
tempts to use their postols. They
read death il Hicks eyes as he con-
fronted them with his long, blue
cleaning barrels aimed straight at
them Their hesitation was fatal to
their hope of escape. For even as
All, doubtless at whisper or signal
from the Prince, swung himself about
to interpose himself between Hicks
and the petty potentate's son. while
Kananda turned for a dash to the
deck Britt. Fitch and Manning, leav-
- C"-H"r IN charge of the captured
Indians. surrounded the other two
and disarmed them. Breathing heav-
lily from the short but sharp struggle,
the captors marched their prisoners
to the far end of the cabin and seated
themselves between the Hindoos and
the doors. They were still on the
alert to prevent an attempt to es-
cape on the part of Kananda or All
The other two Indians being hand
cuffed. 1t was less likely they would
make squirt for liberty. but the po
liceman took no chances.
Now. Mr.. Kananda." said Britt to
the Prince cheerily, 81 reckon we'll
have those diamonds"
Perhaps you will be good enough
to explain" parried the Prince with
his most blase Cambridge manner.
Explain nothing" shouted Britt.
I've fenced with you fellows long
enough. We've caught you now and
we want the goods"
Since you are resolved to carry
this miserable farce farther" said the
Prince, Il suppose we shall have to
submit"
You'll submit to a search, that's
what you'll dol" interrupted Man
ming. II don't blame you. Britt. for
losing your temper with this crowd;
fresh is no name for 1t"
The Chief nodded to Gordon and
Hicks. and they began a search of
the four prisoners that left nothing
undone to find the diamonds. When
they had examined every article of
the Indians apparel, from the Orien-
tai costumes of the low-caste Hin
docs to the conventional attire of the
Prince. they looked to Manning for
further instructions, for they had
found nothing.
Then all four of the detectives, with
the Chief and the doctor. ransacked
the cabin, fore and aft and from star
board to port. as thoroughly as the
Indian burglars had gone through the
apartments of GriswoId and Sands
They even lifted the carpet on all
sides. rolled the heavy furniture
about. and prodded every locker. In
vain. If the diamonds were on board
the yacht, they were not in the
saloon.
Gordon went to the wheel. while
Hicks, who had some knowledge of
machinery. watched and regulated
the feed of the motor. Silently as a
giant swan. and as smoothly. the
yacht threaded the cut to the broader
stretch beyond the Spuyten Duyvil
creek and. passing under the long
railroad bridge on which the famous
little Dolly Warden train toddled from
bank to bank. swung downstream In
the Hudson and headed for the Bat
terry. The yacht was OF Grants Tomb
before an idea occurred to Fitch. for
which Britz not only gave him full
credit, but blessed him heartily
See II any one of those men is
wounded, lieutenant" Fitch suggested.
Britt and Manning looked the Orien.
tails over. and made them walk up and
down the cabin. The Prince halted
slightly in his gait for an instant. then
recovered control of his muscles, and
strobe as steadily as his low-caste
compatriots.
THAT man has the Maharanee."
Fitch declared. You'll fnd 1t In the
calf of his leg"
Britt seized Kananda by the collar
and shook him savagely.
III you don't give up that diamond.
your finish will be the operating
table," said the detective.
Kananada forced another laugh.
Britt, Manning. and Fitch seized him.
and barring his leg to the knee.
searched for marks Of wound.
Strangely enough, there was a little
lump in the calf The detectives
looked at the doctor.
Here's slight protuberance, doc
tor" said Britt. II guess the rest is
up to you"
Fitch took out a pocket instrument
case. and selected a tiny knife. Ka-
nanda, on the point of beginning an
other struggle to escape. was choked
and held powerless by Britt and Man
ming. Gripping the Princes leg firmly.