The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-14
e MILLION [OLLAP MYSTTPY BIHaold Mac Gatl


Much les any one else. I'm srowine
fond of you, my boy. You're Z man."
g Thanks; and goodnight"
When Olga PerisoR called the next ~ !.
Jones divested himself Of his livery, donlaed 1
plain coat and lat, and left the house stealth
ily. Today he was determined to learn some
thing definite in regard to this suave, hand
some Russian. When she left the house Jones
rose from his hiding place and proceeded to
follow her. The result of this espionage on
the part Of Jones viii be seen presently.
Meantime Jim went down to the ONCE and
lied cLeerfully about his missing the general
Whether the city editor believed him or mot II
of 10 matter. Jim went over to his desk.
From the corner Of his eye he could see Gregg
scribbling away. He never raised his head a.
Jim sat down to read his mail. After awhile
Gregg rose and left the office; and, of course.
Jim left shortly afterward Wien the new
conner saw that he was being followed. he
smiled and continued on his way. This Nor
ton chap was suspicious. An the better his
suspicious should be made the hook to land
him with. BY and by tie man turned into .
drug store and Jim loitered about till he re-
appeared Gregg walked with brisker steps
now. 1t was his intention to lead Norton on
q wild goose chase for an hour or 20, long
enough to give Braine time to arrange a well
come at another house.
Norton kept perhaps half block in the
rear of his man all the while. But for this
caution he would have witnessed little pam
tomime that would have put him wholly upon
his guard. Turning a corner, Gregg all but
bumped into the countess. He was quick
enough to place finger on his lips and
motion his head toward a taxicab Olga
hadn't the least idea who was coming around
the corner, but she hailed the cab and was
on in it before Jim swung around the corner.
Jones, who had followed the countess for
something over an hour and a half, Rugged a
doorway. What now? lie wondered. The
countess knew the man. That was evidence
enough for the astute butler But what
meant the pantomime and the subsequent
hurry? He soon learned. The man Gregg
went his way, and hen Jim turned the cor
ner. Jones cast q wistful glance at the van
ishing cab of the Russian, and decided to
shadow the shadower-in other words follow
the reporter, to see that nothing serious BE-
fell him.
AAAC AuACA AAA0ny Pduocu a. q OOOF, OpcucO
it with key, and swung it behind him, very
careful, however, not to spring the latch.
Naturally Jim was nightly pleased when Lie
found the door could be opened. When Jones.
not far behind. saw him open the door. -hA
started to call out a warning, but thought the
better of It. If Norton was walking into q
trap it was far better that he, Jones, should
remain outside of it. If Jim did not appear
after a certain length Of time, he would start
an investigation on his own account.
No sooner was Jim In the hallway than he
was set upon and overpowered. They had in
this house what was known as the punish
ment room" Here traitors paid the reckon
ing and were never more heard of. Into this
room Jim was unceremoniously dropped whom
Braine found that he could get no informa-
ton from the resolute reporter.
The room did not look sinister, but for an
that it possessed the faculty of growing
smaller and smaller, slowly or swiftly, as the
man above at the lever willed. When Jim
was appraised of this fact, he ran madly about
in search Of some mode of escape. knowing
full well in Lis heart that he should not find
one.
Presently the machinery began to work,
and Nortons tongue grew dry with terror
They had him this time; there was not the
least doubt of it. And they had led him
there by the nose into tie bargain.
Twenty minutes passed, and Jones con-
cluded it was time for him to act. He went
forward to try the door, but this time 1t was
locked. Jones, however, was not without re-
source. The house next door was vacant, and
he found q way into this, finally reaching the
roof. From this lie jumped to the other roof.
found the scuttle open, and crept down the
stairs. flight after flight, till the whir q q
motor arrested him.
Conspirators are often overeager, too. "a
intent were the rascals upon the business a.
hand that they did not notice the door omen
slowly. 1t did not take tie butler more than
moment to realize that his friend and aIly
was near certain death. With an oath h.
sprang into the room, gave Braine . push
which sent him down to Join the victim. ana
pitched into the other two. II was 4 battIs
royal while it lasted. Jones Knocked down
one of them, yelled to Norton, and licked the
rope he saw down into the pit. One end a
this rope was attached to ring IN The van
And I'D this roma Morton e~sruu.S .ex.. 4.