The evening world., 1914-02-18

They're not near such big fools a
you think Them" he remarked.
We had stopped on some high
ground IN the shelter Of the woods
from which wo could sec the fishing
hut. Plank took o look round with
his field glass.
mo sign OF life anywhere" he sod
In fact. when we approached 1,
nfter darkness had fallen. the place
seemed entirely deserted. Neverthe-
less. Joc signed to US to wait while he
went on TO reconnoitre. He vanished
with his silent. Indian.like guide. his
movements a. inaudible a. those OF
u ghost. In about five minutes light
JoO's voice called u.
As We entered tho door I saw Joe
had kindled lantern and was point
Ing to n piece Of paper which lay
on the rough hewn table.
Plank seized upon Il.
"The same writing a. before. Lis.
ton to this:
"If you will swear to give us
aDfe conduct. we will como to talk
It out. II you agree to this. wave
the lantern three times on the
lake shore. and that will mean
you give your oath to let Us come
and go freely"
II told you they were no fools"
raid Zoo. Whats the orders now.
Mr.. PlanxT'
Plank handed Joe tho lantern. "Go
and wave the lantern"
From the door % the HI. VIC
watched November al no walked
down to the lake. At the third swing
Of the light . voice hailed him.
you hear? They were waiting In
n canoe" said PLANK to me. That's
cute"
Then followed the splash Of paddles
and the rasp Of the frosted PUSHES an
the canoe took tho shore. Joe had
returned by this timo and hung up
the lantern so that II lit the whole
OF the hut. Then the three OF us
stood together Mt one side Of tho
Our visitors hesitated outside the
door.
There are only two Of Them" whis-
pered PLANK.
As he spoke. a short. bearded man,
~ a thick overcoat. stepped into thu
light, followed by a tall and strongly
built companion. Both wore black
visor masks. with fringe covering tho
mouth. I noticed they were sh0d in
moccRsins.
"Evenin'." said the tall man, who
WINS throughout tho spokesman.
To this no one made any reply, 20,
after second or no. he won't on.
MY partner and me is come to
make you an offer. Mr.. PLANK. We've
got your daughter whore you'll never
looking for her"
Don't DO too sure OF that" growlsd
PLANK.
Tho tall man passed over the re-
mark without notice.
III We agree on bargain. she shall
he returned to you unhurt three days
from the time tho price ia paid over.
And that price In one hundred thou
sand dollars.
Those are our terms. Tho question
for you IL. do You want your daugh-
ter, or do you noty'
The next incident was as swift as
II was unexpected.
II conjecture that IL something OF
an easy question TO answer" said
PLANK In his slow tones. TN fact
p
On the word he slipped out a re-
vOlyer. But quick as was Planx's
hand to carry out the impulse OF his
brain. Joe's was quicker. He knocked
the revolver from Planx'S grasp.
Iou tToaCHerOuh uOE, l'lanN. Cflcu
tho kidnapper. "Is that how you keep
faith? Well, We have a reply TO that.
too. We offered to give up the girl
for one hundred thousand dollars.
now we make the price one hundred
and nifty thousand"
I'm never pay cent OF H." shouted
PLANK,
When you come to change your
mind" replied the kidnapper quietly.
lust hang white handkerchief on
ono Of tho trees mt the edge OF this
wood. Then put tho money IN notes
In that tin on tho shelf Leave US
two clear days and you'll get your
girl back safe. But II you monkey,
II will be the worse for her"
Without more words the two
masked men left tho hut. ana before
long wo heard the sound OF their
paddles upon the water. For n few
moments we listened until the noise
died away. then, like the explosion Of
q thunderstorm. PLANK opened upon
Joe.
November faced the storm with an
entirely placid aspect until I began
to wonder at MS patience. But when