The Huttig news., 1911-01-21
CHAPTER XVI.
The StrpnoIe.

| d. 1 men with him were also Japanese, though Orme was not conscious that he had ever seen them before.
 It was clear enough how he and the girl had blundered into the hands of the Orientals. Maku had undoubt- edly secured car and had driven 1t to the vicinity of the Rookery in re sponse to q telerhoned order from Alcatrante, transmitted, in all likeli- hood, through the Japanese minister
 The appearance of the car on La Sale street had been expected by the South American. Perhaps he had not anticipated that Ovme would hail it. the probability was that he had wished Makus assistance without definite idea of what that assistance should be. but the use of the car by Orme assumed readily enough the direction the ear would take, and getting promptly into telerhonic communiea- tion with Arima, mad arranged this meeting on the road.
 Orme now remembered that Ari- mas car, when approaching, had sounded it's horn at regular intervals n series of evidently a signal.
 Don't worry, girl, dear" whispered Orme. T." he broke off his sen renee as the newcomers clustered about the tonneau, but the confident glance of her eyes reassured him.
 He knew not what they were to face. The Japanese, he inferred, would not deal with him pleasantly but surely they would not harm the girl
 neaa and with a lightning motion grasped Orme by the wrist.
 Get out" he ordered
 Orme was in no mind to obey There were four of the Orientals against him. and he stood little chance of success in fight with them. but if he could only delay matters. some ? one might pass and he could raise a, ! alarm. So he sat firm. and said 3 calmly:
 What do you want?"
 Get out" repeated Arima. : When Orme still made no move te leave his seat, the stesly fingers or his wrist ran up his forearm and pressed down hard upon nerve center. The pain was almost unbear- able. and for the moment his arm was paralyzed A quick jerk brought him to the ground. AS he alighted. stum- blingly, Maku caught him by the oth- CT arm. He was held in such a way that for the moment it seemed futile to struggle Arima, meantime. spoke rapidly in Japanese to Maku Per haps he, as commander of the situa- tion, was giving precise orders as to what was to be done.
 Orme looked over his shoulder at the girl. She was clutching the door of the tonneau and leana.r forward, staring with mortified eye-
 Keep cool" he counseled.
 Her answer was a moan of anguish and he realized that she feared for him.
 Suddenly she began to all for hell Twice her cries rans oas, and thea one Of the Japaness leaped into the tenneau and placed his hand over her mouth, smothering her voice.
 The sight of this action was too much for Orme. He began furious effort to break away from his cap tors. One sudden motion freed his right arm from Arimas clutch, and he reached for Maku's throat But after moment of scuffiing, he was again held securely
 Girl" he shouted, don't try to call out. Keep quiet"
 The Japanese in the tonneau ap- peared to understand the words, for he took his sand away from the girl 8 mouth, though he remained beside her, ready to put an end to any fresh out break.
 Now" said Orme, turning his eyes on Arima, what does this mean?"
 You give us papers," replied the Japanese softly.
 T have no papers that mean any thing to you"
 We see. Give them to me"
 What papers do you want?" de i1anded Orme
 t.You know" Arima's voice sound. ed less patient.
 But I have nothing that ycu care anything about" repeated Orme.
 At that Arima began rapidly to search Ormes pockets. There was sufficient light from the lamps of the two cars to illuminate the scene.
 AHma's left hand still held Orme' s right forearm. and his right hand was free to hunt for the papers. Maku, on the other side. had meantime strengthened his grip on Orme's left arm, at the same 'i-ls raising one Snee so that Orme sonld feel it presl- :. ing against the smaj Of his back.
 What this!' asked Arima, taking 'l long envelope from the inner pock- T r, of Orme's coat and holding it up for } inspection.
 "A blank contract" said Orme. "Dc