The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-17


a portion Of the wall was swinging on
hinges. Backing away from the pas
sage, with revolver in readiness IN
case Of attack from that quarter, ne
watched the phenomenon OF the NOV
ing hunks and was hardly surprised
as some one entered the room through
this secret doorway. He expected 10
see some sinister-looking Mongol how
ever, so was astounded when wom'
an in eastern garb appeared.
Come quickly" she said. speaking
In excellent English, though her ut
terance was broken and hystericaI
'Follow mel You may be just In
timer
He did not hesitate an instant now.
but darted after this strange guide
He had not gone many feet along q
broad and fairly well lighted corridor
before a young man, rather fashion,
ably attired, whose sallow features
were apparently convulsed with rage,
tried first to intercept the girl and
then closed with him.
The ensuing struggle was short and
decisive. Manning was ferocious as
wounded tiger now. He was sure
that the scream he and Bronson heard
had been uttered by Margaret. He bo-
lieved, too, that Willard Bronson had
gone to horrible death in some slime
filed dock which led under the house
to pair of smoldering and forgotten
gates leading from the East river. 30
he was endowed with the strength of
ten men, and Hong Kong Harry, ath-
lete though he might be, was no match
for him, but was flung aside like some
crushed insect.
A 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 in that
prison house, she retained her senses.
"Come at oncer' shrilled the weird
being who had rescued them. This
way there are light and air!'
They obeyed and found themselves
on a narrow balcony overlooking the
river So relieved were they at seeing
the moonlit sky once more that they
did not realize the girls departure I'M
til the door was closed on them. And
at that instant Manning saw the POI
lice launch.
"Drew close inr' he shouted. III
want you to take this lady on board"
Margaret Bronson, leaning against
the railing in sheer exhaustion, wasl
aware of something moving in the wa
ter beneath, and faint cry reachedI
her. 1t was her brothers voice.
''Is that you, ManningF he gurgled.t
"For Gods sake, help mel"
Manning went over.
Hold on, Willardw he cried Joyful
~ Assistance is close at land. The
police launch will pick you up In few
seconds"
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 endeav-
oring to reach a stout beam which
stretched crosswise about foot above
the surface. Something peculiar in its
appearance and in the arrangement 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 life~s-as choked
out Of him In the swirling waters.
"Stop, Bronson" he shrieked in
very delirium Of fear. Don't touch
that beam, whatever you do! Swim
little to your right. l can get down
there and help you out"
Taking Margaret with him to the ex-
IRENE end of the balcony and handing
her the revolver. which he babe her
uses without hesitation If threatened.
he climbed down a 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
III omened house, however. Mar
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
in its interior and en- the street side.
the high mounting flames threw lurid
glare on the water front. so there was
no difficulty In discerning q flendish
/ device which permitted tho upper
heavy beam to drop when the lower
one was touched.
Bronson and me of the police ioin-
ed Manning in examining this internal
continuance, which. taken in conjunc-
ton with the trapdoor, probably ex-
pl--ined the manner Of Tord's death 1T
may be stated here that Hennessey's
body, similarly MANNED, was found
later, when 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
elbows i'll 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 tho other craft not only
gained considerable start, but hope
lessiy outdistanced the pursuer even
when the race was fairly under way.
Manning cursed beneath his breath. {
THAT flend, Ali Singh" he muttered,I
has all the resources of.the devil, his