The L'Anse sentinel., 1915-09-18

Ny heart gsye Z leap - he quickly
raised his right arm and hurled some
thing &C far - he could In the dirOcr
tion that Kennedy had taken.
I stole out from my own hiding
plaoeSin the shadow OF my rock, and
darted quickly to the shelter Of :
bush, nearer the figure.
It turned 70 steal away.
\ I leaped It him and he went down.
rolling over and over In the under
brush and stubble.
He was powerful and stronger than
and after . tough tussle he broke
loose. But had succeeded, never
theless. 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.
I managed to pick myself up. just
~ Kennedy reached my side, and. to-
gether, We followed the retreating
figure a. It made it's way among the
shadows. Across the open space be-
fore M 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 Q peculiar grating
noise. a. though q 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 Redeemed.
The man had struck q match and
thrown 1t into q mass Of oil-soaked
straw and gunpowder which protruded
through one of the weather-beaten
boards. near the floor.
For a second looked dismayed at
the rapidly mounting flames.
"A very pretty situation" I forced
with q laugh. But hope he doesn't
think well stay here and burn. with
q perfectly good window in full view."
took step toward the window. but
before could take another. Kennedy
yanked me back.
Don't think for q moment that he
overlooked that ne shouted.
Craig looked around hastily. In q
corner, Just back of US, was q long
pole. He snatched It up and moved
cautiously toward the window.
Keep back. Walter" he muttered
"just as far as you can"
He had scarcely raised the window
q fraction of an inch when an old,
rusty, neavy anvil and bent, worn
piowshare crashed down to the floor
directly over the spot where should
have been If he had not dragged me
away.
I think you may try 1t 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 moro for him to do but tc
zigzag mis- 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 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 Clutchine
Hand. WI Fang was seated on rocl
waiting impatiently. though now and
then indulging IN sinister smile al
the subtle trick by which he had re
covered the ring.
The sound of approaching foot
steps disturbed him. He was far toe
clever to leave anything to chanc'
and like q serpent, he wriggled behint
another rock and waited. It was onl!
q glance. however. that he needed L
allay his suspicious. It was Long Sin
breathless.
WI stepped out beside him 30 Quiei
ly that even the acute Long Sin di'
not hear. "Wellf" he said In q gut
tural tone.
Long Sin drew back In fear :
have failed, oh, MASTER" he replied Il
an imploring tone. Even no.s the
are following my tracks"
Wu frowned. I'VE must work Quicl
ly, then" he muttered.
He picked up dark lantern near b,
indicating another to LoIg Sin. The
entered the cave. flashing the light
ahead Of them.
BE careful" ordersd WI, procee'
ing gingerly from opD stepping ston
to another. I'VE shall be followed n
i further than this"
| He paused q morsent and pointed b
finger at the eay<h. Everywhere. ..
cept here and there where ston
| projected, was . sticky. slimy sui
stance. It waS an old trick Of prim
tive races,