The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-07-28

Lind without the least sign OF emo',o ~
another heart shock. ! WISH Va
nov would come home. I'm Worrieu
about myself. la
~Anvthing else worrying you! saiu
urg Innd: and without waiting lor
anv reply. she left the doctors stuus'
returning to the library ,
"Now that you seem to have disposed
Of Peg. according to ORDERS l wan.
vor - 90 back to the show and get
that letter that Doctor Lund Is 80 anA-
ions to get his hands on" said MIS-
Lund to Chockro.
And Chockro departed to fuinli the
bsbest OF his mistress, who held MIN
securely in her power. When ne ar
rived at the depot the only Tram
that could take him to the town where
the show was exhibiting that evening
was Just pulling out.
IN the back platform stood JACK
Boygne and his pal, conversing 80
interestedly that they failed to notice
the HIndoo running along the plat
form in a hopeless chase for the tram.
There remained nothing for Cnock-
70 to do but hire an automobile. TINS
he did. and as the bargain included
fast ride. the trip was negotiated, ey
taking the shortest route, some time
before the evening performance had
begun. Having settled a liberal Dill
for the ride, Chockro walked from tne
center Of the town, where he had LETT
the machine, toward the circus
grounds.
other people were vending their
way in the same direction, going out
to the show grounds for the evening
performance, And as he walked along
the Hindoo noticed a short distance
in front Of him two men who looked
familiar to him.
Speeding up, he soon overlook them
and discovered, as he had suspected,
that they were his two henchmen, Just
arrived in town from the animal store
house. He placed his hand on their
shoulders as he walked up behind
them, and the two worthless gave
frightened jump and started to run.
Never mind, boys; it's only me"
called the Hindoo.
Gee whizz; you gave US an awful
fright" said the two huskies, almost
in unison.
well, don't worry; it's all right.
Tell me if anything happened after !
left the animal house."
Happened said one of the thugs.
Lots happened, and your girl is
loose" 1t was now Chockro's turn
to get excited, and he led his hench-
men to the shelter Of a billboard
across the street and safe from sus-
picious observation he heard their
story.
When the thug had concluded,
Chockro remarked:
well, boys, you've mighty well
earned this installment," and he hand
ed to each Of them another payment
for their services, in the form Of a
good-sized roll Of bills.
There is more work to be done,
and you've got to stick with me to
the end And the three conspirators
moved toward the show grounds.
Night was falling. and the flaming
torches around the tents cast vague
shadows as they fickered in the gem
tie evening breeze. Chockro gave his
men instructions to keep him in sight,
without attracting suspicion.
The performers had not begun max
ing preparations for the show: in
deed, most Of them were still in the
cook house at their evening meal
The Hindoo sneaked around the sides
OF the big tent, and lodged into the
shadows that fell among the other and
smaller tents that surrounded it at the
back OF the lot.
Several times he narrowly escaped
detection, as circus folks struggled
past the opening that led to the in
terror of the tent. But his cunning
saved him, and stealthily opening the
lid OF Flip's trunk, he was soon rum
maging hurriedly through its con-
tents.
80 ousily was he engaged that he
lalled to notice woman pause at the
entrance to the tent, glance inside and
then draw suddenly out of sight. 1t
was Peg, come to see If she could find
ner daddy before she began her prep
aFatlons for the night show.
When Peg saw the Hindoo rum
maging in Flip's trunk her heart all
most stopped beating. In a flash she
realzed the purport Of the mans ac-
tion-the letter so precious to both
the clown and herself, was what the
man wanted.
She cautiously peered once more
INTO the tent, and caught a glimnse
OF the Hindoo as he ended his search
raised to his feet and quickly dived
under the sidewall-holding a letter
in his grasp. eA
Peg was dumb with terror and
amazement. What she witnessed had
transpired 50 quickly that She could MD
not instantly realize that the precions