The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-12-16

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mo. listened carefully. Footsteps
assembled wooden stairs. which
creaked."
well. I've a notion we can do some.
thing. My wrists are tied. but my I'm.
gers are loose And those clever guys
never thought Of taking my gun from
me. If roll over to you guess I can
fx things so that you'll be at liberty In
few minutes"
FOR heavens sake. don't watt" said
Manning at once.
I So II came to pass that others than
the champions Of law and order com
mitted foolish mistakes that day. Man
ming and his stalwart aids were soon
free OF their bonds. Best of all. eac b
was armed with loaded revolver
After hurried consultation they de-
cided to attack rather than await the
coming Of Ali Singh and his myrmi-
dons.
The men grunted their approval.
These stocky New York policemen
were sore because of their mishap, and
they would be hard to stop now.
At the top OF the creaking gangway
they gathered on small landing. be-
yond which lay door. Hating there.
Manning put an ear to chink and
fancied he could detect the movement
or some person or persons within.
Then he heard All Singh's voice speak
ing in sonorous foreign language.
He hesitated no longer. Turning the
handle or the door. he applied his
shoulder ut the same instant. There
was lock. but the ancient woodwork
yielded. and he burst into a saloon. n
fairly well lighted place equipped as a
laboratory.
katisha. handsome odalisque. stood
to the right. On. the farther side of
the table was seated Ali Singh. and
the eyes Of the startled pair met the
vengeful looks Of Manning and the DO.
lice
Hands up, both of your shouted
Manning.
Ali Singh rose. but did not obey the
order. so Manning fired at him point
blank The higher one. however, had
anticipated that his enemy would shoot
without further parley. He sprapg
aside just as the hammer fell and ut
the same moment smashed one of the
retorts on the table. There was +.
sharp explosion almost rivaling the
noise of the revolver shot. and the so.
loon was filed with binding smoke.
Manning and the police sprang for
ward, but found their path obstructed
by chairs. Katisha dung herself ut
the American like wildcat He
ought to have shot her, but his gorge
rose at the thought Of killing a wo.
man. SO, In defiance OF bis own specific
orders. be threw her aside. Neither
ne nor the police lost more than a cou-
pie OF seconds. yet that precious time
sufficed to snatch Ali Singh from their
grasp. They searched vainly through
the smoke. but could find neither him
nor the woman. since the wooden
walls OF the honseboat. like those OF
every other den prepared for the use
OF the gang. contained secret exits
winch could not be easily detected.
Make for the deck" shouted Man
ming. He can't get away from MS.
now. Once we're in the open air we
must shoot any one we see lowering
boat or crossing the shoreward gang
way"
But another surprise awaited the
three when they reached the upper
structure. Kemp and his men were
crossing from the mainland. and none
or the houseboats numerous denizens
were In sight. 1t was profound re-
her' or course. to meet with such well
come re-enforcements. Manning and
Kemp. with whom had come the Will.
ant souied Bronson. were actually
planning n systematic search of the
craft from stem to stern when a fire.
obviously caused by some chemical
agency. broke out on board.
wed better beat 1t to the bank
advised Kemp IF that devil intends
TO blow himself up there's no reason
why we should go with him. and IL
would be quite impossible for any one
TO get away without our knowledge"
manning agreed. In all probability
lhey would incur great and needless
Hanger by remaining. So all hands
made toward the shore and took I'M a
position In which they were not only
safe. but could watch de-
Velopments. Kemp's surmise was cor
'ect. After few seconds Of a rapidly
Spreading fire. the houseboat was sbiy-
red by mighty explosion.
AS the turmoil subsidized ana the wa.
ers OF the creek grew placid once
more Kemp eyed the vessels sunken
emains with much satisfaction.
well. that's the end Of an awkward
'unch." he said cheerfully. I'm get a
'oat and some graphing lions now.
nd maybe well be able to attend All
ingh's funeral"
Suddenly Manning's clean cut Sea.
nres showed some measure Of anxiety.
lie drew apart from the others and iii.
ened with much intentness. Then hek
IN to neighboring blur from which n
ne wide expanse OF the sound could he
iewed. He came back after a few
linutes
"A motorboat is speeding north" he
lid thoughtfully. II suppose II would
3 absolutely impossible that All Singh
Mould have escaped and be on board
herr
II -