The daily sentinel., 1914-07-08
CHAPTER XXXIV.
7honpSOH's Plans Go Wrong.

nar mad been cut cleanly through She examined
the remainder of the bars. They appeared alb
solutely untouched but when she pulled harshly
at them every one gave way For half an hour
she did not realize what had happened. Then q
thrill of Thanksgiving went throbbing through
her heart Ready-made was her means of escape,
Almost simultaneously with the Thoughts
came another and more terrifying one. This was
probably not a means OF escape so rnuch as a
means of entrance. Instantly her mind flashed
picture Of the silent Thompson First she was
tempted 70 call for help and expose the man.
Second thought advised against this. No ona
must know about the ruhies, no must know
about priceless stones. But what could she do?
she was stul pondering the problem that
night when still fully dressed she stood beside
The window looking out the moon-splashe,i
patio. A furtVe figure detached itself from the
SHADOWS and crept toward her. Strangely enough
Il Il dld not frlghten her 70 recognize the butler.
she had tried her strength against the man once
and knew that she could call for sssisiancs
should he enter the room
She crouched in the opposite side of the
room, listening 10 the faint tinlde of swapping
IRON bars as the man detached the ends from
their sockets His head and shoulders auzearsa
IN the opening. Longer and longer grew his
shadow in the room, then the faintest pat a. he
slipped TO the floor.
Breathlessly she watched his APPROACH. Thers
was nothing undecided about his movements He
was swift; he was certaini he was sure No. a
motion, not a step wasted. His whole body
was coiled like spring, ready to leap In any dt
rection, yet there was fear or indecision about
IT. He was almost the bed when Incille
sprang from her hiding place behind the door.
Instantly he turned. his head darting from,
side 70 side like that of giant reptile his beady
eyes holding her own and striking terror into
the very soul Of her. She realized in @ flash what
it meant 70 stop desperate thief In the midst
Of his msrauding, realized that the man she al.
ways thought of rs servant was now hunted
beast cornered and at bay. Icy fnsers olutched
at her sptne while little ants nests of nerves
tingled at the book of her neck. Thompson aid
not speak Slowly his hands opened and closed
while grin crossed his face, widened his mouth
hideously inhuman grin She tried to cry ouS
but her lips were fro1sn shut The capable
hands, the hands she recalled as always being 10
competent to handle anything were opening and
closing be advanced upon her, with syvif{neaa
with certainty and with sureneas, as though al
ready they felt In their strong ret delicate psda
ths feel of her throat
He had almost reached her side when hs
stopped suddenly whirling toward tho windou,
Lucille unconsciously followed the direction Of
his gaze A long arm, the jacket sleeve OF which
was slashed and pieced out with gold d-trimmeci
doe-skin was being extended into the room. just
an arm y was yot the hand that tipped IL e1,
tended still further within the room by reason
OF long revolver 1t held. From the darknesi
outside came kissing sound, an angry snakc
Like sound Then, simultaneously, with the drop
ping of Thompson to the floor, an orange spurt
OF fire leaped Into the room, the whine Of Q but.
let struck against her But no report
Lucille staggered back her defender, the
lover who had promised his assistance leaped
lightly into the room. His hand was upon he1
arm. his Lips at her ear. Reading his thoughtA
YET hearing nothing, shs moved toward the wins
dow and lifted her tiny foot though TO mounA
ho,se His hands cuPped about It. She vaulte<
to the easement and, In a second, had scrambled
through. The breath OF tho open rsdolsnt with
all the perfumes of tho night. asssilad her noss
trils and she opened her mouth, laving her throat
with them.
By her side stood the man For a moment
be waited, than urged her forward Shs wai
free free, free OF course there were pick-ts ts
be passed, but she had made one providentid
escape e., tonight a. why not another.
Out Of sight of the building she paused and
looked about her. How calm and peaceful and
friendly appeared the night On such a night
LeandrN swan the Hellespont and here beside
her, stood another Leander who would bravo "a
much had already brayed more than ever did
fabied hero The moon full rolling lazily
obout atop mountain peak as though shaking
his Jolly sides with laughter at this triumph oil
one he loved The stars winked merrily at her,
urging her her way. Looking back at the
building from which she had come 1t appeared
made OF silver and all the windows were dia.
monds crusted there, the rigid leaves of tho
bayonet trees stretched upward as though guard.
ing II, sentinel-like against intrusion from ths
outside. The touch of a timid finger upon hei
arm brought her from her reveries. ~
The horses walt, my lady"
Came swift flashing Of lights from the
house they had left behind, scurry of feet, ths
sound of voices. loud. shrill insistent The Mexi.
can seized her arm fercely and half dragged hes
from Off the court to a clumP of bushes where
two horses stood saddled and brdled In a sec
ond she In the saddle, the man beside her
The clatter Of hoofs rang out upon the sill
ence- Looking back she caught glimpses of dark
bHnouetteu uSaiisb the tropical Vcgetas
ton in the patio. squirt OF fire leaped out al
them like a living thing. The Mexican muttered
u cultural oath and urged his horse TO moro
speed. Lucille bent over her horses head bent
low, for the whine of bullets In the air
about them.
Suddenly the Mexican gTunted loudly. Hia
hands shot high in the air, then ths horse fairly
ran from under him Upon the ground he
swayed second then leaped against the shadow
OF giant fingered cactus plant Lucille sprana
from her saddle and sought his side
Red warm blood gushed from the wound In
his chest. But not more red IL than tho
his tightening fingers olasped unto his
heart a from which the dew drop of the
day before had disappeared. His eyes were glaz-
ing when she stopped and brushed her lips scross
his forehead shadowy smile crossed his face
as he opened his eyes once more eyes that were
soft and tender before they glazed
took the resonant tone OF scant day or less
before. ut is the ripple OF the Wishing Well,
my lndy. Go! Rfde-to the -your-heart--.
desires"
He stiffened suddenly and n spurt of tears