The Raymer enterprise., 1916-08-03

he been able to discover a trace O
Helen. Seagrue and his men wert
carrying her upstairs. They left tn,
driver as q guard at the lower door
and Spike. running hard, had nearet
the building. When the engine
stopped. Storm, with look Of worry
got hurriedly down. The first man hit
eyes CHANGED to fall on was Spike
The sight Of him to Storm was like rec
to bull. Gaining Spikes vicinit,
stealthily. Storm made at him. What
are you fellows up to now" he cried
angrily, throttling Spike with the
words against the building.
where's Helen Holmes, you blamed
crook"
Upstairs, tell you. Listen! She's
upstairs. Instead Of choking me. get
busy to get her out of Seagrue's
clutches-that's what I'm here for"
In the fewest possible words he told
Storm Of how Helen had shamed him
with kindness, and how he had sworn
to her he would make good. Storm
experienced an acute revulsion OF feel
ing. Then we're friends!" he ex
claimed.
Il didn't say that" returned Spike
feeling his crumpled windpipe. I'm
Helen Holmes friend"
Storm eyed him keenly. III you
mean it, I'll forgive what's gone before,
Spike. II you don't. I'll choke you
next time for keeps"
Il mean It," snapped Spike. "Stow
the gab." He pointed to the door be.
hind him. "Seagrue's kidnapped her.
They carried her up those stairs not
two minutes ago" 1.
Storms eyes burned black. Sea.
grue at that moment could have seen
murder in them. Storm compressed
his lips. "How many are there
Spike?" was all he muttered.
Three"
Storm pointed. Watch that door,
he directed. I'll 80 to the roof"
In the room to which they had car.
ried her, on the second floor. Helen,
partly recovered, resolutely faced Sea.
grue and her captors. Lug handed
Seagrue the stolen letters. He exam.
ined them impatiently and tossed one
after another contemptuously aside.
rs this all you've got?" he demanded
in disgust. The contracts were not
there.
Seagrue glared at Helen. Alive to
her serious danger her quick percep-
tions took in every feature of her sur.
roundings and almost the first thing
her glance fell on was stack of iron
cylinders in corner Of the room la.
beled High Explosives" From out
side the room she heard, without know.
ing What they signitied, sounds of a
fierce alteration, Spike. at the door
below. with a gentle knock, had at
tracted the attention of the machine
driver, stationed as watehman. The
scout opened cautiously to see who
knocked. But cautious though he
was, he was no match in trickery for
the adept Spike, whose arm shot like
a flash through the opening as he
threw himself against the door. In a
fraction of a second-before the chauf.
feur actually knew what had happened
Spike had the astonished sentry by
the neck, jerked him outside, flung
him into the gutter and dashed up
the stairs.
Seagrue, unmoved by the fighting
outside, turned threateningly on Hell
en-. You've got those contracts. |
want them. VIII you hand them over
without force?' Helen stood mute.
Shall | take them from you?" Meth
er warnings nor threats moved her to
a single word.
wont talk, eh?" snapped Seagrue.
No matter-l'll do the talking. Stand
her out here, boys, and I'll search her. .
He started forward. She backed
away with cry. Don't come near
me-" she exclaimed. You shan't
search me! I'll kill you first"
I A knock at the door interrupted Sea-
grues Threatening advance; his con.
federates looked alarmed. That's
only the watchman, boys" cried Sea
grue. PAY no attention. Catch her
and hold her."
The words were not out Of his mouth
when the one door OF the room was
flung violently open behind them
Hands OF, there!' shouted heavy
voice. The three men whirled on the
intruder. Seagrue, in his amazement
found himself confronted by Spike
The convict raised threatening hand
Don't touch that girl" he said hoarse
ly. The man that does"-he NUT
tered fearful imprecation-"will an
swer to me with his life"
Lug and Bill shrank back. They
knew Spikes blood.stained hands too
vel. to want to rouse bis wrath. Bul