Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-07-23

waited-but II was only q moment
before he saw two shadowy figures
appear behind Kandwahr. Harcourt's
heart leaped. He could only make
them out dimly. but apparently 1t was
Grace and the man she had slipped
out to meet. SSuddenly he heard q
piercing shrek and q shot rang loudly
In his ears. After that all was still
and he could see nothing.
Realizing that he was unarmed, and
helpless against attack, Harcourt
nevertheless spring forward eagerly.
Grace might be In danger-or per
haps-this was the thing Kandwahr
had feared. There was no further
sounds to guide him, and 1t was sew
eral moments before he came out
upon a little clearing. The moonlight
breaking through the trees lit up the
narrow space, but before him, upon
the ground, Harcourt saw quite plain
ly, a dark figure lying still in a little
heap.
He glanced about quickly, but there
was no one in sight. Perhaps some
one lurked nearby ready to spring out
upon him. and he shuddered as he
BENT down over the prostrate form.
He gave an exclamation of dismay.
1t was Kandwahr, lying fiat upon his
back, staring with glazed and sightless
'eyes at the blinking stars overhead.
Harcourt looked at the man, and a
vague sense Of terror came over him.
Upon Kandwahr's face was almost a
look of triumph. At last the fate he
had spoken of had overtaken him.
Death had apparently been instan-
taneous, for, buried hilt deep in his
breast, was knife. Harcourt made
no attempt 10 remove it, but he knew
the blade was long and it had pierced
the heart Carved upon it's handle
was the mysterious monogram.
Harcourt shuddered. There were
sounds of someone approaching, and
for the second time Harcourt found
himself the innocent victim of circum-
stances that pointed to his guilt as a
murderer. And this time, too, the in
strument of death had been a long
dagger marked with the symbol that
had pursued him so relentlessly. What
was the thing-what did it stand for
and why was it constantly put be-
fore his eyes to torment his tortured
mind.
In unreasoning fear he crouched be-
side the body. hoping those who were
approaching might pass. on without no.
ticing him. Then q weird idea came
to him. Grace wore the terrible charm
he had learned to fear. She had gone
into the wood with her companion
ahead Of Kandwahr. Could it be that
sheer the man with her-could have
struck the blow with the marked dag
ger? 1t was mpossible-horrible-
yet, if it could be true, he meant to
remain and save her from suspicion
by taking the blame upon himself.
Now his eyes wandered from the
body and on the ground close by it he
saw a soiled envelope. Mechanic.
ally he picked it up, and as the sounds
drew nearer, slipped it into his pocket
without examination.
Almost holding his breath, and fear
ing to make the slightest sound, he
waited aQxiously. Then he heard the
swish of garments behind him, the
parting of branches and the swapping
of twig. Before he could straighten
up or even look about, someone seized
him and he was thrown heavily upon
his face.
Strong hands were trussing him up
with a strong cord that cut his wrists
and now something was thrown over
his head. He felt himself lifted as
baby might be, and knew that he was
being carried away hurriedly.
His captors moved along silently,
giving their prisoner but scant con-
Sideration. The road they were trav-
cling was apparently rough one, for
now and then they stumbled, shaking
Harceurt roughly. Once they paused
and whispered among themselves, but
Harcourt could not make out what
they were saying. Apparently they
were satisfied after time, however,
and they moved off again at the same
brisk pace.