Arizona republican., 1914-07-17

siteflng thing of metal, was the weapon of this man yet he had seen giant lion drop dead when HIS master raised It and threw his barking voice or orange flame through it. It well not to go against such being; well not to risk the possibility of his wrath even when pitted against all the traditions of his ancestors
 Hugo Loubeque smiled grimy as he read rom the humble attitude of the native in which direction his mind working. Through fear and through greed had he gathered together his vast army of servants throughout the world and he knew none of them would be faithful should succession of failures appear to show that he was not invincible. A giant wolf-man he ruled a pack that was ever ready to fall upon him and rend him.
 The reflection caused his great jowls to red den and the solid jaw to creep ominously for ward. An added omnousness of tone was in his voice when he spoke to the native, himself mov- ing outside the door without turning back to see whether he had been obeyed
 Swiftly he strode through the inky black ness of the jungle that hemmed them in until he came to scarcely penetrabe wall of creepers, swung like giant hammocks between the trees, twisting and writhing about themselves in hope less confusion, all deriving sustenance from the stunted trunks to which they elung More like great ropes of corded hemp they than anything else, their thick surface covered with fuzzy hairs. It was the creeper Loubeque had noticed the native using when he wished to start the nights fire, twisting about a hard sharp pointed stick against the unyieding surface of the creeper till the friction started flame
 He had wondered at the imperyiousness of the vine against anything but fire had marveed at the rapidity with which the slightest spark seizing the hairy exterior would consume the tire creeper. Now, he pointed to the wall of creepers, indicating how much he wished.
 But half hour suffced to satisfy the spy and without than nod he turned and moved swiftly back to the hut. There he superin- tended the splicing of the sections of creepers and binding together in such fashion they should make a rope fully one hundred feet long. The last frapnpnt Of the material and he stared at the giant coil specuatvely slow smile of satisfaction brightened his face, as, at curt word of command, the native glided noise lessly from the hut one end of the rope in his hand.
 Foot by foot, coil at time the pile of creeper before the international spy unfoded it. self, the while he prevented any kIotting The heap upon the hut floor had almost disappeared before the constant vibrations ceased and he knew the savage had finished his part of the work. He still smiling, grimly now, when the native returned and he commanded him to fire the end that was within the hut. Then Hugo Loubeque stepped swiftly out the opening and strode along the line of creeper-rope that wound like some unbelievable monstrous serpent through the lush grass and shrubbery until he came with in few yards of Lucile's hut He halted, screen ing himself from the chance observation of some prowling native by hiding in the shadow of a great tree that faced her abode.
 From far away, back in the direction from which he had just come there in the blackness 
 suddenly to twinkle upon the ground, fade for a moment, then dance swiftly forward toward him. At times the flame would appear to waver, to be extinguished, but always it would reappear again, having made brave progress dming the time of. it's apparent extinction. Hugo fLoubeque suddenly stirred to animation
 Noiseless any cat despite his bulk, he moved toward the girls hut, securing the end of the creeper and tossing it upon the matched roof Then, once more. he took up his position in the shadow of the adjacent tree. A stray dog prowled about the street. sniffled at him. then cringed away without sound though his animal in. stnct scented the diabolism of the man. The jungle seemed breathing heavily, like some drunken sleeper-these were the only sounds.
 The only sounds save the faint, cracking one of the flame as it fed upon itself. creeping closer closer to the matched roof of the hut where ii might have royal meal. Hugo Loubeque waited fexed in every nerve and sinew of his frame for the result of his stratagem. And always the flame crept closer, coming more swiftly now. famed by the slight breeze of the open where the huis were builded. - ---1a..---
 rHy-~ r slyz o~xzy