The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-30
CHAPTER XIV.
A Drawn Battle.

tent u KEEP iOchcu III Ills OWn
h breast the secret of his inter
ference in Najla's behalf Ali
Singh could never have known, though
he might have suspected, the means
by which the electric cable was cut.
or course the expert mechanic In
charge of the dynamo was not long in
locating the fault and came back to
his master with the startling news
that there was traitor in their midst,
since 1t was easy to see that the wire
had not snapped accidentally.
Hong Kong Harry, unable to contain
himself at the thought that now he
would surely be able to claim Najla's
gratitude, had crept to her cell and
thrown himself by the side Of the
couch on which she lay quivering with
pain. At first he was regarded with
loathing by all three girls, but his fran
tic protestations induced an unwilling
belief.
at was l, dear one, who snatched
you from the rack" he vowed passion
ately. 81 heard your screams. They
drove me nearly mad So rushed out
horrible machine. You must see now
that ! am your slave forever l risked
death itself for your sake. VIII you
not give me one kind look from those
beautiful eyesT
1t was clear enough that the mans
help had come In the nick of time and
Malta would not be human II she re-
fused him some need Of gratitude. Her
drawn face softened, and she held out
a limp hand
THANK YOU" she sighed. II am In
deed much indebted to you"
He grasped her hand feverishly as
though dreading she might draw 1t
away again and pressed the soft I'm
gers to his lips.
II have done more than take you
from the torture chamber" he NUT
tered huskily. "There's a telephone
in this house, and Manning, the detec-
tive. now knows where you are. He
will be here soon. You will all be res
cued But never forget, Malta, that l
did this for you"
Margaret and May were spellbound
with surprise. Little had they expect
ed succor from such a quarter. Malta
was about to say something. but Mar
garet Bronson interrupted her with a
sharp ejaculation which drew all eyes
to the door.
1t stood ajar. Against the small
rectangle of light thus visible were
silhouetted the head and shoulders of
a woman in eastern garb. Hong Kong
Harry sprang up and whirled to the
doorway with an almost incredible
alacrity. But Katisha was too quick
for him. With mocking laugh she
slammed the heavy door in his face.
They heard the key turning In the lock,
Hong Kong Harry's always livid
features now assumed greenish tint.
for he, better than any, understood the
horrors in store. But with really
splendid effort he regained self con-
troll.
"This is the end for me-" he mutter-
ed. "I'll be dead man in few min
utes. At any rate, Malta, you will new
er again doubt my devotion"
The hapless girl on the couch burst
into new paroxysm Of grief. while
her terrified friends mingled their tears
with hers.
Hong Kong Harry's forebodings
were only too well warranted. Soon
footsteps were heard. the door was
opened, and four men entered. Two
seized Hong Kong Harry's arms, while
the others covered him with revolvers.
There was no struggle Not word
was spoken. After last lingering
glance at Malta Hong Kong Harry
went out with his captors. knowing
full well that resistance was useless.
He was taken straight to that awful
room in which reposed the rack. All
Singh awaited him. The expression Of
the higher one was as inscrutable as
that OF the sphinx. but Katisha, who
stood near. could not repress tri-
umphant smile. At one stroke she had
assured her rivals fate and punished
the man who had been so purblind
that he despised her exuberant charms.
Ali Singh regarded the prisoner for
a few moments with a contemplative
glance.
A gruff command sent two of his
slaves at the half castles wrists and
arms. A third man grabbed the mn.
happy youths ankles, and, although in
sheer desperation he now made val
liant struggle, he was soon strapped
to the rack, but face downward, where
as Malta had been placed thereon on
her back.
Hong Kong Harry hoped against
hope that the apparatus would not
move, but he was quickly nndeceived.
The cable had been repaired. The