Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-04-21

Helen. Seagrue and his men were
carrying her upstairs. They left the
driver as a guard at the lower door,
and Spike, running hard, had neared
the building. When the engine
stopped, Storm, with look Of worry,
got hurriedly down. The first man his
eyes CHANGED to fall on was Spike.
The sight of him to Storm was like red
to bull. Gaining Spikes vicinity
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, I 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 IF you
mean it, I'll forgive what's gone before.
] Spike. If you don't, I'll choke you
next time for keeps"
II 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.
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. "Ill go 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-
tons took in every feature of her sur
roundings and almost the first thing
her glance fell on was stack of iron
cylinders in a corner of the room. Ia
beled High Explosives" From OUT
side the room she heard, without know
ing What they signifed, 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 Waterman. 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. Will you hand them over
without force?" Helen stood mute
Shall take them from your" Meth
er warnings nor threats moved her to
a single word.
Wont talk, eh?' snapped Seagrue.
mo matter-Ill do the talking. Stand
her out here, boys, and I'll search her -
He started forward. She backed
away with a cry. Don't come near
me-" she exclaimed you shan't
search me! I'll kill you first!"
A knock at the door interrupted Sea-
grues threatening advance; his con-
federates looked alarmed. That's
only the Waterman, boys" cried Sea.
grue. "Pay no attention. Catch her
duu uOIN u0r.
The words were not out of his mouth
when the one door of the room was
flung violently open behind them
Hands off, there!" shouted heavy
voice. The three men whirled on the
intruder. Seagrue, in his amazement
found himself confronted by Spike
The convict raised a threatening hand
Don't touch that girl he said hoarse-
ly. '"The man that does''-he NUT
tered fearful imprecation-"wi an
swer to me with his life"
Lug and Bill shrank back. They
knew Spikes blood-stained hands too
well to want to rouse his wrath. But
Seagrue was not for an instant to be
swerved from his purpose. Get that
whelp," he shouted, pointing at Spike.
I'll look out for the girl
Albeit with the poor stomach, Lug
and Bill attacked the powerful outlaw.
Helen, looking distractedly for a
weapon of defense, saw the explosive
cylinders A blow struck hv Jig from