Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-22

- - HsszzA><@
dropped to the floor The FURNISHED
dial of the wall safe, set near tn
double doors, was the next object t.
come under the restless search1n,
eye. While light poured steadily up
on the circular bit Of steel, delicate
fingers played with it, twisting ant
turning this way and that. Then the,
were laid upon the handle OF the sa1e
door, and it swung noiselessly back
A tapering brown hand, white sleeved
fumbled in a small drawer, withdrew
O. packet of papers and selected one
Jane stepped boldly into the room
"Sahibah!" The white club of cleo
trio Hash smote her full in the face.
What are you doing at that safe
Jaimihr Khan Jane spoke as stead
lily as she could, though excitemen,
had it's fingers at her throat, and al
her nerves were twitter1ng. She
heard some sharply whistled foreign
word. which might have been curse
"Something that concerns you mo-
at all. Sahibah," the Indian answered
his voice smooth as oil. He kept the
light fair on her face.
'tI intend that it shall concern me,
the girl answered, taking a step for
ward.
"Veree, veree foolish, Sahibah!'
Jaimihr whispered, and with catlike
stride he advanced to meet her
"Veree foolish to come here at this
time"
Jane. frozen with horror at the
mans approach. lodged and ran
swiftly to the fireplace, where huna
the ancient vesper bell. The f1ash
light followed her every move-plckeo
out her hand as it swooped down tc
seize a heavy poker standing in its
rack beside the bell
"Sahibah! Do not strike that bell!
The warning came sharp and cold as
frost. Her hand was poised over the
bell, the heavy stub of the poker
very few inches away from the bell'
flare.
ITO strike that bell might involve
in great trouble one who is vere'
dear to you, Sahibah. Let US talk tn.
ever most calmly. Surely you woul'
not desire that a friend-a veree dea
| friend"
"Who do you mean?" she aske'
sharply.
"Ah-that 1 leave to you to guess!
Jaimihr Khan's voice was silker
"But certainly you know, Sahibah.
/ friend the most Important"
Then she suddenly understood. Tn
Indian was referring to Capital
Woodhouse thus glibly. Anger bla;
ed in her.
1T isn't true!"
"Sahibah, l am sorry to con-trs
dict" Jaimihr Khan had begun SLOW
" to creep toward her, his bod
crouching slightly as stalking cats
"Ill prove it isn't true!' she criet
and brought the poker down on tn
bell with a sharp blow. Like tocsi
came it's answering alarm.
"A thousand devils!" The India
leaped for the girl, but she evade
him and ran to the desk between he
self and him. He had snapped o
the torch at the clang Of the bell, an
now he was pale ghost in the gloo1
-fearsome. Kissing Indian CURSE
he started to circle the desk to seiz
her.
"Open this door! Open it, l say!
1t was the generals voice, soundin
nluffled through the panels OF hi
door: he ratified the knob viciousl.
Jane tried to run to the door, but tn
Indian seized her from behind, thre'
her aside, and made for the dodb.
doors. There his hand went to pal
ell in the wall, turned light switch
and the library was on the instar
drenched with light. Jaimihr kha
threw before the door of the safe tn
bundle of papers he was clutchin
when Jane discovered him and whic
he had gripped during the ensuln
tense moments. Then he steppe
swiftly to the generals door and VI
locked it.
General Crandall, clad only
trousers and shirt, burst into tn
loom. His eyes leaped from the Il
dian to where Jane was covering b
hind his desk.
What the devil is this?" he raspe
Jane opened her mouth to ansWe
but the Indian forestalled her:
1.-The sahibah, General found NJ
here before your opened safe
Good God" Gen! raj Crandall
eyes blazed. He leaped to the SAT
knelt and peered in. "a clever 10
Iyoung woman!' -,
| Jane, completely stunned by tt
Indians swift strategy, could hard
;speak. She held up hand, appealin
for a hearing, General Crandall eye
her with chilling scorn, then turne
to his servant.
| .You have done well, Jaimihr.'
! Tit isn't true" Jane stammere
The governor took step toward az