The Ordway new era., 1915-07-30
rise up into the moonlight.

my nedrt gave q leap as ne quickly
raised his right arm and hurled some
thing as far as he could in the direc-
ton that Kennedy had taken.
stole out from my own hiding
place In the shadow Of my rock and
darted quickly to the shelter Of a
bush, nearer the figure.
1t turned to steal away.
leaped at him and he went down.
rolling over and over in tho under
brush and stubble.
He was powerful and stronger than
I and after tough tussle he broke
loose. But I had succeeded. never
theless. I had delayed him just long
enough. Kennedy heard the sound Of
the struggle and was now crashing
through the hedge at the crossroads
in our direction.
/ managed to pick myself up, Just
as Kennedy reached my side. and. to-
gether. we followed the retreating
figure as 1t made its way among the
shadows. Across the open space be-
fore us we followed him and at last
saw him dive into an old barn.
A moment later we followed hot
foot into the barn. As we entered.
we could hear a peculiar grating
noise. as though a door was swung
open. Evidently the man had gone
through and closed the back door.
We threw ourselves against the
back door. But 1t did not yield. There
was no time to waste and we turned
to rush out again by the way we
came. Just as the front door was
slammed shut.
The man had trapped us.
We could hear his feet crunching
the dry leaves and twigs as he went
around the side Of the barn again.
Suddenly the pale silver OF the
moonlight on the floor reddened.
The man had struck a match and
thrown 1t into a mass OF oil-soaked
straw and gunpowder which protruded
through one of the weather-beaten
boards. near the floor.
For a second I looked dismayed at
the rapidly mounting flames.
"A very pretty situation" I forced
with a laugh. But hope he doesn't
think well stay here and burn. with
a perfectly good window in full view"
took a step toward the window. but
before I could take another, Kennedy
yanked me back.
Don't think for a moment that he
overlooked that ne shouted.
Craig looked around hastily. In a
corner Just back Of US, was a long
pole He snatched 1t up and moved
cautiously toward the window
Keep back, Walter" he muttered.
'just as far as you can.'
He had scarcely raised the window
4 fraction of an inch when an old.
rusty. neavy anvil and a bent, worn
pIowshare crashed down to the floor
directly over the spot where I should
have been II he had not dragged me
away.
4 think you may try it safely now.
all right" smiled Kennedy coolly.
We climbed out Of the window, not
an instant too soon.
Having gained the clump Of woods.
the gaunt figure had paused long
enough to gloat over his clever
scheme. Instead, he saw us making
good our escape. With a gesture Of
intense fury he turned. There was
nothing more for him to do but to
zigzag his way to safety across coun-
try.
Kennedy did not pause an instant
longer, but in the light Of the burn
ing barn, as best he could, started to
follow the trail in q desperate en-
deavor either to overtake Long Sin.
or at least to. find the final direction
in which he would go.
At the entrance of the passageway
which led to the little underground
chamber in which we had sought the
treasure hidden by the Clutching
Hand, WI Fang was seated on a rock
waiting impatiently. though now and
then indulging In sinister smile at
the subtle trick by which he had re-
covered the ring.
The sound Of approaching foot
steps disturbed him. He was far too
clever to leave anything to chance
and like serpent, he wriggled behind
another rock and waited. 1t was only
a glance, however, that he needed to
allay his suspicious. 1t was Long Sin.
breathless.
WI stepped out beside him SO quiet
| ly that even the acute Long Sin did
not hear. "Well?" he said in q gut
| tural tone.
Long Sin drew back in fear. II
have failed, oh, master" he replied In
an impforing tone. Even now they
are following my tracks,"
WI frowned. I'VE must work quick
| ly, then" he muttered.
He picked up dark lantern near by.
| indicating another to Long Sin. They
entered the cave. flashing the lights
| ahead of them.
BE careful" ordered WI, proceed
ing gingerly from one stepping stone
to another I'VE shall be followed no
further than this"