The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-09

"come quickly!" she said. "You may
be just in time"
lete though he might be. was no match
for him. but was flung aside like some
crushed insect.
\ second later Manning leaped into
smoke laden room and clasped Mar
garet Bronson In his arms. Happily.
though the girl was distraught with
fear, owing to the sudden hubbub. and
weak from want Of food since she had
eaten nothing while confined I'm that
prison house. she retained her senses.
Come at once"' shrilled the weird
being who had rescued them. This
way there are light and air."
They obcyed and found themselves
on narrow balcony overlooking the
river. SO relieved were they ut seeing
the moonlit sky once more that they
did not realize the girls departure un-
til the door was closed on them. And
Mt that instant Manning saw the po-
lice launch.
Draw close inv he shouted. II
want you to take this lady on board"
Margaret Bronson. leaning against
the railing in sheer exhaustion. was
aware of something moving in the wa
ter beneath, and faint cry reached
her. 1t was her brothers voice.
as that you. Manning;" he gurgled.
For Gods sake, help mel"
Manning went over.
Hold on. Willard he cried joyful
ly. Assistance Is close at hand. The
police launch willpick you up
1t was dark down there beneath the
balcony. but the moving motor reflect
ed dim radiance. and Manning could
make out that his friend was endcav-
oring to reach stout beam which
stretched crosswise about foot above
the surface. Something peculiar in its
appearance and In the arrangen ent of
another similar beam several feet high
err up caught his eye. and by the most
fortunate of Inspirations he remem-
bered how Kemp had told him that
Detective Ford's fingers were crushed
to pulp before the lie was clicked
out of him in the swirling waters.
stop, Bronson!' he shrieked In n
very delrium of fear. Don't touch
that beam, whatever you do! Swim
a little to your right. l can get down
there and help you out" J
Taking Margaret with him to the ex-
treme end of the balcony and handing
her the revolver. which he babe her
use without hesitation II threatened.
he climbed down couple of crossbars
and caught Bronson's hand. The lat
ter. little the worse for his immersion.
was soon standing by his side.
BY this time the police launch had
crept In, and the three reached its
deck in safety. Before leaving that
Ill omened house. however. Man
ming examined an arrangement Of
levers which had caused him to yell
that warning to his friend. AS All
Chow's den was now. blazing merrily
I'm its interior and on the street side.
the high mounting flames threw lurid
glare on the water front, SO there was
no difficulty in discerning n flendish
device which permitted the upper
heavy beam to drop when the lower
one was touched.
Bronson and some OF the police Join
ed Manning In examining this Internal
contrivance. which, taken in conjunc-
ton with the trapdoor. probably ex-
pl..ined the manner Of Ford's death 0t
may be stated here that Hennessey's
body, similarly MANNED. was found
later, when a cry from one of the men
drew their attention to the river.
A fast moving patrol launch had shot
out from yet another dock beneath All
Chow's Ill omened dwelling and was
now vanishing into the night. 1t took
the police launch some precious Sec
onds to back out and turn. Once head
ed for the open stream. however. the
speedy little vessel leaped into its
stride, but the other craft not only
gained considerable start. but hope
lessly outdistanced the pursuer even
when the race was fairly under way.
- Manning cursed beneath his breath.
''That fiend. All Singh" he muttered.
has all the resources of the devil, his,
master" Q
ITO Be Continued