The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-03-17

StitI0uS. ana he feared that when 1t
came to battle between avarice and
Unborn terror of the supernatural he
would be left in the lurch.
So he warned Drake not to appear
too anxious and by no means to let
their followers know that they intend
ed to seize the image and. take 1t away
with them.
But IL the papers are in that idol"
Drake protested, I'VE ought to be able
to get them and replace the old image.
with nobody jot the worse
THAT may be possible" was the re-
Spouse. ION the other hand, the plans
may be concealed so that it will take
time to find them"
They discussed Il dozen plans and
finally decided that the next night the
two Of them. accompanied only by
their guide. should make the trial.
"But supposiny they have the image.
where shall we tnd it," questioned
Drake. ''They have a lot Of stuff in
their packs. and you may be sure they
have concealed the idol well. Unless
i lACS tVAACo llS OCAuS CSOtCh sbSsuhl tuCS
wouldn't be going to all this paiJs."
"We'll find 1t all right" was Wilker-
sons sole response.
The evening came when they were
to put their scheme to the test Their
own little company made camp and
after supper gradually went to sleep.
1t was 10 O'clock when Wilkerson
nodded TO Drake. and they quit their
places by the dying fire. .
Outside OF the circle they met the
man who was to guide them. and one
glance ut his BRUTAL face showed Will
kerson that he was once more con-
fronted with q problem.
The man made no bones OF demand
ing a large extra sum in co1upeusa-
ton for his risks and intimated with
Leytreme plainness that In case his ex'
orbitant blackmail was not paid he
would not only not accompany them,
but put it out OF their power to SO
alone.
For an hour Wilkerson bargained
and haggled, but all to no purpose. At
last he gave i'll and practically strip
ped himself Of coin. which the other
pocketed without u thank you.
The three of them started forth un-
der glimmering moon toward the
priests camp, Il mile or so away by'a
spring.
Half an hours steady tramping
brought them within eyeshot of the
place, and Wilkerson went ahead to
spy out the lay Of things.
| When he came back he roughly told
Drake. in reply to his question. that
the idol must be in one Of the pack
| sacks lying about.
Its u case OF sneak up and get a
sack each OF us and then look for the
idol in It," he said.
IAN right Drake growied. "But
it's risky business. In case Of muss
| where'll we meet again.
''At our own camp" Wilkerson wis
pcrcd and led the way.
When they came close to the spot
where the natives were asleep the
three OF them paused and listened.
Presently Wilkerson gave a silent
signal that no one was awake, and
they crert up among the baggage.
The first two sacks yielded nothin.
and Wtlkerson was reaching out for
one that seemed bulkier than the rest
| when their guide couGhed and instant
~ couple of the priests Weakened.
Seeing strangers. they give an alarm.
! ,jS ntS1ins HrO<1 IN
an ancient musliet so close to Drake
that he incontinently dropped his bur-
den and fed.
| He heard Wilkerson cursing behind
him, couple of more shots and then
| took to his heels in good earnest as he
heard rapid footsteps.
A moment later Wilkerson had
caught up to him. painting and drag
ging the sack. which lie had refused
to surrender.
Between them they carried it on fur
Their and then rested u slight hollow
till their guide came UP.
IF the idol isn't in this sack" Will
kerson said with snarl. "l,ll go back
and shoot up the whole outfit and
get it."
When the thongs were cut and the
great bag opened the first object that
met their eyes was the image they
sought. glimmering in the half light.
The moment he saw it and knew
that his quest was ended Wilkefson
flung the rest OF the stuff away and
| boldly got to his feet.
Now for our own camp. Well just
see where those plans are" he growled.
Drake and the guide both protested
| in vain.
Safely away from pursuit. they lit
light and examined their find.
ITS the same one Wilkerson said
triumphantly.
Made Of metal. too" said Drake
slowly. Now. where are the plans?'
Inside Of it, announced his COM
panlon, beating on the idol with his
knuckles. Now to find out the OPEN
ing"
1t did not take long for him to dis
cover the movable eye. and when he
had pulled that out lie thrust his fin
ger in and withdrew it with folded
| paper.
safe and sound" he exulted. drop
ming the image to the ground. where
lit lay staring grotesauely at the stars
through it's single eye.
| n,ol-. .o,1 Vvslt.orSnv oorof,,llv Az.