The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-07-29
rise I'D into the moonlight.

| pace III the SuduOW O1 lily TUCK anu
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 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.
| managed to pick myself up, just
as Kennedy reached my side, and. to-
gether. we followed the retreating
| figure as il 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.
4 moment later We followed hot
foot into the barn. As We entered,
we could hear a peculiar grating
noise. as though door was swung
open. Evidently the man had gone
through and closed the ba k door
We threw ourselves against the
back door But it 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 a match and
thrown it into mass of oil-soaked
straw and gunpowder which protruded
through one of the beaten
boards, near the floor.
For a second l looked dismayed at
the rapidly mounting flames.
"A very pretty situation. | forced
with laugh But hope he doesn't
think we'll stay here and burn. with
perfectly good window IN full view.
took a step toward the window. but
before could take another, Kennedy
yauked me back.
Don't think for moment that he
, overlooked that, ne shouted.
Craig looked around hastily. In a
corner lust back Of US. was long
pole He snatched it up and moved
cautiously toward the window
Keep back, Walter he muttered,
Just as far as you can.
He nad scarcely raised the window
= fraction of an inch when an old,
rusty. neayy anvil and a bent. worn
ptowshare crashed down 10 the floor
directly over the spot where should
have 6een II he had not dragged me
away.
think you may Try II safely now,
ali right. smiled Kennedy coolly
Ne climbed out OF the window. not
an instant too soon.
Hayinc gained the elump Of woods,
che gaunt figure had paused long
enough 20 eloat over his clever
scheme Instead. he saw us making
good our escape With gesture Of
intense fury he turned There was
nothing more for him 70 do but TO
Mezag his way to safety across coun-
cry
Kennedy did not pause an instant
longer. but in tie usht O. the burn
inc barn. as best he could. started to
follow the trail in desperate ca
deaver either To overtake Long Sin.
or at least 70 find the final direction
IN which DE would 20
A. the entrance Of the passageway
, which led &c the little underground
chamber in which we had sought the
F.. treasure hidden by the Elutching
Hand. Wa Fang was seated on rock
waiting impatiently though now and
then indulging IN a 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 70 leave anything TO chance
! and like a serpent. he wriggled behind
: another rock and waited 1t was only
n glance. however, that he needed TO
allay his suspicious. 1t was Long Sin.
u I0lultSS.
WI stepped out beside him so quiet
| Is that even the acute Long Sin did
not hear "Well?" he said in gut
tural tone.
Long Sin drew back in fear. Il
have failed. oh, master he replied in
an imploring tone Even now they
are following my tracks
WI frowued I'VE must work quick
| ~, 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"
He paused moment and pointed his
finger at the earth. Everywhere, ex-
cept here and there where a stone
| projected, was a sticky, Shiny sub
stance 1t was an old trick of print
| tive races.
They passed on from stone to stone
| until tbau noYpa IN tho O. =,