Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-04
CHAPTER xx1n-tcontInuedJ.

| "CNHE was--
| - The German motloned to the mate a
hand was clapped over my lips mumbed
my conclusion into II. staring into the eye
Of his revolver.
German" ] heard sevrance conclude my
words on the instant: "The Vistula, Mon
sieur de Netze, inspired to this devil
ment---"
BE silent I" Won Holzborn Numbered III
| not, by God Ill---" He produced his re-
volver with flourish.
But a hint had been sufficient to the
astute Russian secret agent. He rose sud-
denly, his face crimson, his white hands
quivering.
"Holzborn.' he cried sharply, what truth
is there IN this7'
mo truth" he suffered Upon my
word Netze, would you believe that
Schweinhund?"
The Russian drew himself up stlffly, eyes
blazing, lips white with rage. III I be-
lleved for an instant" he began and
stealthlly his hand moved toward a pocket.
Won Holzborn raped sharply on the table
with his revolver.
Believe or not" he cried wrathfuly
small odds to me, monsieur, but have you
a care with TIA: pistol"
For some seconds had been watching the
mate narrowly. The alteration between
De Netze and the Prussian had drawn his
attention inevitably. even as | had hoped
his eyes TO wander from me.
For that instant / had been waiting. l
improved 1t by striking up his arm-deliver-
ing a powerful blow with the side OF my
hand upon the muscles of his wrist. His
grip upon his weapon relaxed and 1t clat-
tered upon the floor. simultaneously / put
a fist i'm his face and knocked him back
ward, stunning him.
Even as 1 did so, out of the tall OF my
eve caught fitting shadow between my
.ff Tla T,t1 r1nafa tvaq n ntIi r
of horror and the thud of heavy blow.
The happening held us all spellbound for
an instant. Tragedy had stalked unbidden
from an unsuspected corner OF the saloon
De Netze had been stabbed to the heart.
I saw him rise upon his toes, grasplng
at the empty air. Then he fell, like some |
inanimate thing stiffly.
The sound of his fall reused u.s. heard |
a cry of horror, hgh-keyed, an OATH |
swift patter of feet
He whose arm had aimed the blow to |
the Russians heart was running for the |
As he turned, reeking |
knife in his hand, desperation writ large |
upon his features. crouchlng like a hunted |
thing, l saw his face.
He was Pike-"George Pike" agent of the
Secret Chapter, as he now proved himself
to be. l had not recognized him when he
had entered. but now 1 knew him unmis-
takably.
He reached the foot of the steps in two i
Jumps stumbled. and went TO his knees.
As he scrambled. TO his feet n shot rang
suddenly through the saloon. Pike swayed
backward, lurched, and crumpled in upon
nmself-a limp bundle of flesh.
Won Holzborn had fired.
] saw the smoking gun In his hand. and
caught the CLINT OF brute rage in his eye
hat ranged us ALL He seemed abruptly to |
what had occurred in the mat
.er of the mate and turned upon me-
"By heaven !" he cried the balls begun
so you, too, court death? Come, then, and
Ind it,"
"Ili kill you with my naked hands, you
,ur - l cried beside myself. ARMED or
lot I'LL"
In maze I found myself upon the floor,
he breath fairly driven from my body by
hat second staggering blow. Intuitlvely
knew myself wounded, and wounded nigh
into death. Yet the madness held me; !
trove to raise myself, to regain my feet,
gain to court the issue with his pistol
Sevrance l saw leaping across my pros
rate body In another instant he should
lave had Won HolZborn by the throat. But
third time n revolver spoke-and on the
eels of that report came n sharp. short
ry. Sevrance stopped short in his tracks
nd stepped back with little, wondering
Faintness was enchanting my limbs,
umbing my senses, felt that but few
noments more of consciousness remained
o me desperately strove to prolong them,
hat might know the cause of this sud
en- hush. Severance stepped aside.
l saw Hol2born standing, but supported
My by his shoulders against the partition
ehind the table. His arms were out
tr,.ched. his hands empty, his eyes closed
is fingers twitched furiously.
s.ill ! did not comprehend what had
hppened, but only looked and marveled.
Abruptly the man seemed to come TO life
liraculously. He opened his eyes, for a
noment stood steadily erect. One hand went
D his breast, above his heart, clutching
here fiercely, and jet of blood spurted
etween his fingers.
His iron features contorted themselves
lto a dreadful smlle-proud mpenitent
vii. His CLASSY eyes-now more opaque
nan ever-rolled in their sockets from side
D side, until they rested upon that person
rho had put this leaden period to his
areer There they became fixed. with
lare of admiring yet sardonic intensity
xed and ironic The blood ebbed swiftly
rom his cheeks. his close-shaven beard
howing blue through the skins cold pallor.
He half turned, all but bowed Twice
Ia lips moved without producing sound.
he third time he mouthed one word:
Madam 20