The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-15

the dying butler. Willing hands
helped and the spring which permit
ted the ponderous stones to move was
found. Manning sprang into the pas
sage thus revealed. Running along
fearlessly, he came to Ali Singh's
room, whence an open door led into
the torture chamber. Bronson and
Kemp were close behind, and the
CHASTITY apartment was soon filed
with amazed and Mortified men. They
examined the rack and the motor.
and Manning picked up a woman's
comb from the platform. He looked
at II with despair that almost bereft
him of sight.
'T don't think 1t Is Najla's." he said.
brokenly, handing it to Bronson.
The latter appreciated the unspoken
question.
And I'm sure it isn't Margaret's,''
he said with a cheerfulness he was
far from feeling II happen to re-
member that she dislilxes these cellu-
loid things"
On such frail foundations did the
two friends build up a new edifice of
hope. And the search of that mar
velous underground residence was re-
sumed. There were evidences in
plenty of recent habitation, but, other
than the gagged and bound Captain
Downing. no living soul, either man
or woman, could be discovered.
In the back part of the upper house
a detective had found the broken wire
and the rope of sheets by which May
Manning had escaped. None kneig
of no
terrifying at the time was simply
providential in it's effect, because the
dy namo once more ceased to work,
and Hong Kong Harry was thus
saved, temporarily at any rate, from
the terrible retribution planned by All
Singh.
Another man, stamping upon some
boards at the end of a passage, found
that they emitted a hollow sound
Tearing them aside with an iinpro-
vised crowbar, the police peered down
into a tunnel. Manning was advised
Immediately, but some inspiration
bade him resist the impulse which
would naturally have led him to take
up the trail at the significant spot.
Let some of your men explore the
passage he said to Kemp. ''You
and / and Bronson will make for the
river. Somehow I feel that Ali Singh
will choose that outleti"
There was a sound common sense
behind his words, because the tunnel
undoubtedly led in the direction of
the bank. Even while the three men
were running to the police launch they
heard shrill whistle, which was the
signal agreed on If the police in TIE
motor boat saw anything that excited
their suspicion.
Sure enough. another launch. with
a closed-in cabin, was speeding swift
iy upstream at a distance of a quar-
ter OF a mile or more The chase
began, and It was quickly evident
that the police boat would overhaul
the other craft within n few minutes
There were rifles and revolyers II,
plenty on board and in the hands
of men able and eager to use them
but Manning forbade any uroniscu-
Gus shooting until the range was So
close that a definite target could be
selected. 1t is well that he did so
AS the pursuing boat drew near
many watchful eyes discerned tho
figures of Margaret and Malta and
iiong Kong Harry held against the
rearmost windows OF the cabin II
curses could have killed Ali Singh
ne would surely have died then. be-
cause the avengers were alive to his
tactics.
They can't escape us now. for
an that, said Bronson hoarsely.
Understand, you fellows, that I'm
10 be first on board that boat. No
matter what the law may settle. All
singh has to pay me for my fathers
DEATH"
mere was none to gainsay hin,
though Kemp and Manning resolved
privately that the headstrong young
ster would not be allowed to sacrifice
himself uselessly. And now the
police launch was so near the o.he~
That Its occupants could gaza int
the interior of the other craft cohi,,
and make out the very hands wbict,
were holding the prisoners agajnst
the windows. Still it was innossihIa
TO shoot. They must trust to Iuck
and boldness in boarding.
A policeman, crouched in the how,
nelo moose In readiness to cast ONO
the first stanchion that offered ami
ne was actually measuring the dis
lance for the throw when the Lad
ing boat disconnected him nv s+or
ping suddenly and swerving TO ia
starboard. Then it actually baclad
being handled by some one who dis
played both skill and daring. A s,ignt
oark-skinned form rose in the ster,,
ana nung moose. apparently with
the unbelievable object of making
fast to the police boat.
Inc watchers were so taken ahack
by this amazing incident that thev
did not even shoot the fellow. Then
the sinister craft. from which the
shrieks of Margaret and Malta wers
distinctly audible. drew away again
and Manning wondered why the mn
troll boat was slow In taking I'D tha
chase
He learned the bitter truth only too
speedily. The captain approached
with look of utmost detection on
his weatherbeaten race.
We're bested this time. gentle-
men," he said quietly. THAT rascal
was one too many for us. He man
aged to lasso our propeller, which Is
now fouled by the rope. 1t will taka
half an hours work to clear the tan
gle. and even then the shaft may be
twisted"
This was too much for Manning.
He collapsed to seat in a state of
physical and mental exhaustion.
While Bronson could only stare with
haggard eyes at the fast disappear
inng boat, which contained not only
his beloved sister and her friend. but
the naiscreant.
'(TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
THE 4 It'd