The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-08-25

tered, although he did not know how
badly Lund was wounded.
Diving, swimming and drifting Lund
managed to reach the surf before he
was utterly exhausted; and then the
waves rolled his body over and over.
casting the helpless man, each time,
higher on the beach. Finally, washed
high and dry. young Lund lay ex.
hausted on the sands, without a ire
NOR in his body and to all appearances
as good as dead.
Chockro heard the revolver shots
as he dashed onto the pier in Mrs.
Lund's limousine, with Peg his pris-
oner, safe in the bottom of the ton.
neau. He urged the driver to make all
speed toward the deserted storehouse
and, when he arrived, the Hindu was
prepared for serious trouble. Peg was
carried bodily from the machine, and
the gang burst into the house.
The two thugs left on guard, made
their own explanation to their angry
superior.
We'll! you're two fine guys and one
with gun to let him get away" said
Chockro. But its up to US now to
keep the girl safe until the boss
comes. So throw her into the corner
and see that she don't jump, like her
sweetheart did"
Shortly after Chockro and his gang
had reached the pier, Mrs. Lund ar.
rived upon the scene and when she
entered the storehouse, Pegs anger
and indignation burst forth anew.
Let me loose" she begged, ''let me
have one chance to settle with that
old cat" cried Peg as she struggled
and fought for her release.
Now, dearie, don't be peevish,"
said the hypocritical Mrs. Lund. you
know / wouldn't harm you for the
world, you dear sweet thing"
"Oh, no you wouldn't" Peg cried in
derision and anger, You are just as
gentle and harmless as rattlesnake."
We'll I'm not here to handy words
with you, said the woman, Il came to
get that letter you have, and I'm go.
ing to get it. Then I'll let my men
take care of you"
Ordering Chockro to have his men
hold Peg securely, Mrs. Lund reached
into the bodice of the struggling,
screaming and kicking circus girl.
The search was fruitless-for, OF
course, the letter was not there.
When the men released Peg, and
she had rearranged her waist, the
girl seated herself on a box in the
corner and began to laugh hysterical.
ly,
Fooled you, didn't /, you old catf"
| cried Peg, between spasms of laugh.
ter. And when l get out OF here I'm
going to do more. I'm going to tell
the police that you are the leader of
the counterfeiting gang. / refused to
| tell them before, on account of your
SON."
Don't worry, dearie," said Mrs
Lund, with fiendish sarcasm, You are
not going to get out of here. So give
me that letter and save yourself fur
! Their trouble"
Couldn't give it to you if l wanted
to. gave it to the police today af
ter had grabbed it out of that mans
hand"
Pegs reply seemed to arouse Mrs
Lund's hatred more than ever She
started toward the girl, as if on the
purpose of doing her bodily harm, but
instantly recovered her composure.
Then she said to Chockro:
You men tie the little cat to this
post" indicating a stanchion that ran
from the planking of the pier to the
roof Of the storehouse. The only
way we can be sure she is safe is to
tie her hand and foot. I'm going to
get that letter myself When the girl
IS tied, leave some of your men to
watch her, and you, Chockro, come to
me for further orders
Then Chockro and most Of his gang
departed, leaving two men to watch
the helpless Peg. And there they
stayed, guarding their prisoner for
some time. With nothing to do, their
vigil became tiresome after a while.
oh, let's beat it up town." one OF
them finally said. The girl is good
and safe. Well leave her here and
come after while" And after lit.
tie more pursuasion the other thug
consented to the plan.
reg was helpless and alone.
she could hear the water tapping
against the piles that held the pier.
The sound made the place even more
desolate. Til wind ratified loose
board and the sudden noise made her
start with fear. There was a rustling
among some old paper, on the floor,
In the corner of the room. Peg
screamed with fright.
The girl looked in dread toward the
pile OF paper. She noticed long coils
OIL rope hung down from a shelf, and
Where the rope touched the floor
tnere was pile of refuse and old pa
per. She was Mortified to see two
great rats, moving along the floor.