The Lamar register., 1914-07-15

courage returning, the leap OF hot blood
through my veins as l Strengthened up.
1 risked one more match to make
certain of the opening through the
wall. dimly glimpsed beyond the
berths. My eyes were not deceived
Here was a second wood supported
passage, unlocked SO far l could per-
ceive. but black as pitch. held the
flaming splinter aloft. anxiously scan
ming the few feet thus revealed. but
as it sputterea out. the red ash drop
ping to the floor. felt renewed conf
dence that 1 was alone, unobserved.
Whoever those assassins might be.
they had departed, leaving only the
helpless dead behind. No doubt they
would come again to remove the
bodies, to seek refuge In this hidden
hole. But for the moment | was there
undiscovered and must utilize each
precious instant for discoveries and
escape. Wild recklessness, desire to
break away from those grewsome sur
roundings. overcame all caution. Swift
ly as | dared In the dense blackness
crept forward. feeling the smooth wall
with eager fingers, my right hand still
nervously gripping the pistol butt
Then | came to the door. similar to the
other. although no cropping about would
reveal the catcr or enable me to force
II open
Again l struck a match. guarding the
infant flame with both hands against
a slight draft which threatened its ex-
tinction. caught glimpse Of a
shadow on the wall and made one
swift. automatic effort to leap aside
dropping the fatal match. The move
ment was too late. Something de
scended crashing upon my head. and 1
pitched forward into Inconsistencies
1t must be lay there practically
dead for some time. I had no knowl-
edge OF being approached or handled.
and yet every pocket was rified. the
pistol jerked from my hand and my
coat ripped from my body. Like SO
much carrion the fellows had dung me
back against the wall SO as to make
room for the swinging open Of the
door Little by little. silently. cOmpre-
bending now what had occurred and
warned by the sound Of voices not far
away. changed posture slightly.
strengthening out cramped and aching
limbs and SO turning my head as to en-
able me to see along the passage
where a ray OF light streamed
I lay twenty feet from the entrance
to this habitation underground. thrust
into the black shadow behind the door.
which stood partially ajar. My posi-
tion precluded any possibility OF learn.
lv.v -hoe hos ho Aav ho
rier. but I could plainly view the entire
north portion OF the Interior. although
the only light radiated from a flicker
Ing candle. One edge OF the table
came within my vision. a man sitting
beside It. his back turned toward me.
He was smoking short stemmed
pipe and contented himself with a
growing indistinct utterance when
addressed Opposite. however. was
man OF a different type. slender and
active, his hair very dark and Inclined
to curl. a rather long face, slightly
olive hued, with a small mustache
waxed at the ends. His black. spar
king eyes attracted me 1rst. and
then his long. shapely hands. These
grasped sheet Of paper. and l no.
tced otbers. including several unopen-
ed envelopes. lying before him on the
table He laughed bit unpleasantly.
q row of white teeth visible beneath
the dark mustache.
Its just as 1 thought, Herman"
he said genially. THE fellow is q
mere adventurer. There will be no one
to take his disappearance seriously
But some one knows he come here"
"Only the two who sent him, and
they'll never dare tell. and the woman.
She is safe enough. Niger Pete
drove them out here. and we can close
his mouth easily enough. It's been
easy, Herman. and now with these
two settled 1t leaves me a clear field"
Maybe so-yes. But vat you think
1t all meanI l would know how eet
vas dey come"
The younger man shufiied the pa
pers restlessly, his eyes on the face of
the other.
Il confess there are some details
missing. Herman" he said slowly.
but, In the main, 1t is clear enough.
| take II this man Neale Is a rascal.
He went north to lind the heir. dis
covered that he was either dead or
had disappeared. ran into some scamp
of the same kidney as himself and.
between them. determined to cop the
coin. That's my guess. Then they