The Detroit times., 1914-10-15

l long enough 10 give bralne time 10 ar
range welcome at another house.
Norton kept perhaps half a block
in the rear OF his man all the while.
But for this caution he would have
witnessed little pantomime 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 to-
ward taxicab. Olga hadn't the least
idea who was coming around the cor
ner, but she hailed the cab and was
OF IN II before Jim swung around the
corner
Jones, who had followed the coun-
tess for something over an hour and
half, Rugged a doorway. What now?
he 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 then Jim
turned the corner. Jones cast visit.
fal glance at the vanishing cab OF
| the Russian. and decided to shadow
the shadower-in other words. follow
the reporter. to see that nothing seri-
GUS befell him.
The lurer finally paused at a door,
opened II with a key, and swung II
behind him. very careful, however,
not TO spring the latch. Naturally
Jim was nightly pleased when he
found the door could be opened When
Jones, not far. behind. saw him open
the door. he started to cali out a warn
Inn hnf II
Norton was walking into trap II
was far better that he, Jones, should
remain outside OF II. III Jim did not
appear after certain length OF time,
he would start an investigation on his
own account. !.
eNo sooner was jim In the hallway
than he was sent upon and overpow-
cred. They had In this house what
was known as the punishment room. I"
Here traitors paid the reckoning and
We're never more heard Of Into this
room Jim was unceremoniously drop
ped when Braine found that he could
get no information from the resolute
reporter.
The room did not look sinister, but
Tor all that Is possessed the faculty
OF growing smaller and smaller. slow
ly or swiftly. as the man above at the
lever willed. When Jim was apprais-
ed OF this fact, he ran madly about I'm
search OF some mode OF escape, know.
Ing full well in his heart that he
should not find one.
Presently the machinery began to
work, and Norton's tongue grew dry
with terror. They had him this time:
there was not the least doubt OF IL.
And they had led him there by the
nose into the bargain.
Twenty minutes passed, and Jones
concluded 1t was time for him to act
He went forward to try the door, but
this time 1t was locked. Jones. how
ever. was not without resource. The
house next door was vacant. and he
found way into this, finally reach
ing the roof. From this he Jumped to
the other roof. found the scuttle open.
and crept down the stairs. fight after
flight, I'LL the whir Of a motor arrest
ed him.
Conspirators are often overearer.
toe. SO intent with the rascals upon
the business at hand that they did not
notice the door open slowly. n did
not take the butler more than A mo-
ment TO realize that his friend and
ally was near certain death. With an
oath he sprang into the room. gave
Braine a push which sent him down
TO join the victim, and pitched into
the other two. Its was a battle royal
while II lasted. Jones Knocked down
one OF them. yelled to Norton. anc
kicked the rope he saw down into the
pit One end of this rope was attach
ed to- ring In thelwall And ND this
rope Norton swarmed after he had
dispcged OF Braine The tide OF battle
then swung about In favor OF the but
Ter, and shortly the fake reporter and
bis companion were made to join their
chief
Jones stopped the machinery. He
could not bring himself TO let his en-.
emies die so horribly. Later he knew
he would regret this sentiment.
When the police came, summoned
by some outsider who had heard the
racket OF the conflict, there was no
one TO be found In the pit. Nor was
there any visible sign OF an exit.
There was one, however. built
against such an hour and known only
to the chiefs OF the Black Hundred.
And still the golden tinted hank
notes reposed TRANQUILITY I'd their hid
Ing place,
,cossiaued Mo.d.yD