The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-07-01


He lay there watching as the water
from the overlooking tub trickled to
the floor pooled In the worn undula-
tions OF the boards. and crawled on
again, in search OF some avenue OF es-
cape. And he watched II as II moved.
FIR on It's sinuous back. he remem-
bered II carried his message OF delfv-
erance, his hope OF life. Finding m
unused ventilator iue. the water foun-
tanned joyously down on the head OF n
long-haired artist hard at work on a
canvas.
That artist, after speechlessly con-
templating the deluge. ran shouting to
the hallway where he was Joined by
his model and by fellow artists from
neighboring studios. ,vt
When they found their investiga-
tions barred by locked door. they
broke II IN. While they were shining
suspiciously about the outer room.
however. their efforts to reach the
source OF that deluge were being an
ticipated by more stealthy figure,
which, clambering monkeylike up the
narrow iron fire escape. climbed still
higher TO the small window and
promptly broke II In.
Manley, rousing himself at the
sharp sound OF the breaking glass,
turned about to behold the face OF n
narrow-eyed and dark-skinned stranger
in the square OF light about him Even
as he stared up at this exotic face
with its uncanny fringe OF Jet black
hair he saw the unknown intruder
draw a slender tube from under his
coat. To this tube the stranger fitted
a small arrow scarcely longer than a
darning needle. Then, placing the tube
TO his mouth. he sent the slender dart
whistling down through the air. where
Il fixed itself in the wooden flooring
not three inches from Margery Gold
ems head.
Instinctively. as Manley witnessed
that incomprehensible attack. as he
vaguely awoke 10 the meaning OF the
strange performance he crawled 20
the girls side. There he tried TO
shield her helpless body with hts own.
But after that he remembered little.
He awakened later TO the sound of
a woman's soft sobs close beside his
aching head And he knew, even be.
fore she spoke. that II was Margery
Golden
It's no use, doctor" she was for.
lornly crying out to the figure nearer
the foot OF the bed u saw that man.
and | know IL was Mauki And as
soon as saw him | knew Legar had
sent him, had sent him with the same
poisoned arrows that once killed an
informer in the Owls Nestl"
but this man isn't dead" protest
ed the doctor.
mo, but he will die"
Now young lady, this won't do. you
know" the man OF medicine tried to
reassure the quietly weeping girl
And II you leave me with him for q
few minutes I'll make another exam
nation. And then well know the
worst"
I'D rather stay with him-to the
last" said the white-faced girl.
"But II you1l come back. in ten min
utesl" quietly announced the man who
was not used to having his sugges
tions crossed. And he held the door
for the unhappy girl as she passed un
steadily out.
Manley. the next minute, lifted his
head from the pillow.
Say, doctor. what's this about me
DYING" he demanded.
THAT all depends on one point"
was the doctors reply as he gingerly
took up one OF the slender arrows. nc
longer than a darnlng needle. And
the point IL whether or not we can
find an antidote for the poison that
was smeared on those outlandish blow
run darts But the next point is, how
do you feel7"
Il might feel worsel"
The man OF medicine looked puz
zled.
We'll, that seems 20 be the strange
part OF this case The infection must
be a very insidious one Even the
wounds themselves show no signs OF
toxication. SO you wait here a min
ut until get my instrument bagl"
When that somewhat bewildered
man OF medicine returned with his bag
he found David Manley sitting up In
bed. porting frowningly over a sheet
OF paper which he held in his hand.
who threw this note on my bed ?"
demanded his patient, with a vigor
that was unlocked for In the dying.
II was the doctors turn TO frown as
he took the sheet OF paper from the
others hand.
Il drew the fangs from Mauki's
blow gun" read the message there In
scribed. his arrows held no poison.
and you are safe. The Laugh
ing Mask"
(To BE coNTINuED.)