The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-09-29


i. the supposed clowns raised the Dox
to their shoulders and ran with IL 10
the exit. The oniookers imagined tne
sudden exit was a part of the TRICK.
But when Flip appealed to his Iello"
performers for aid, crowd on snow
folks followed him in the direction the
sclowns" had fled with their burden.
The showmen were just in time 70
see the packing case lifted to the plat
form of big motor truck that was
standing at the side Of the road. Ihe
engine was quickly started ana tne
truck moved rapidly away.
| Flip, recovered from the injuries 70
his foot, ran as fast as he could, anu
was the last one to give up the chase.
4 He ran behind the truck after 1t hau
turned a corner of the street, followed
4 it block farther and was then unable
to proceed farther.
Dejectedly' the old clown walked
back toward the show grounds.
Just as he was turning from the
street, young Lund dashed up In his
automobile. When the young man
jumped to- the ground he barely es-
capped colliding with Flip.
Il "0h, my, boy, I'm glad you are here"
cried the old clown Historically.
4 "They have run off with Peg!"
"Tell me quick-whlch wayf'
i Young Lund took Flip by the shout
ders and shook him, In eagerness to
get the information.
down that next street. They have
her in box, on an auto truck"-but
Lund waited for no details.
Don't worry. I'll get her." and rum
ming at top speed, he had turned the
corner Flip had indicated almost be-
fore the old clown realized what had
happened.
The motor truck bearing Chockro
and his gang, with Peg safely confined
in the strong wooden box, sped
straight for the edge of town.
Going at its best speed, the truck
consumed the better part of an hour
before it halted beside clump of
4 trees that sheltered low, rambling
shack occupied by a swarthy Mexican
who had that day rented it to the
Hindu.
There's road here somewhere"
said Chockro, as he jumped down from
the motor truck and began search
Here's the gate; drive in here" he
soon called out. The truck stopped q
little way inside the gate. The cover
of the box was raieed and the burly
thugs lifted the screaming girl to the
ground.
Scream if you like, you vixen" said
the Hindu derisively. Nobody can
hear you. We've got you now where
you can't be rescued"
With main force Peg was carried or
dragged along the roadway and into
the house. The driver of the motor
truck was ordered to turn out of the
yard and run Immediately back to
town.
Running with his own lights out,
the truck man was compelled to make
a quick turn to avoid collision with
the speeding car as it flashed past
him. Young Lund missed the volley
of verbal abuse, but mentally thanked
the truck man for proving that the
trail of Peg was straight ahead.
There were two rooms in the Mex
leans shack, and into the living room
Peg was carried by Chockro's motley
| crew.
Peg determined to fight her way out
| OF her desperate position. While
Chockro was outside, placing his men
as guards to all approaches to the
house, the girl made a dash for the
open door. The one man who stood
guard over her attempted to restrain
her.
Had this man been Pegs only bar
rler to freedom, she would have soon
made good her escape. But Just at
the moment she had knocked down the
desperate with a well-aimed chair
she had swung high above her head.
Chockro, attracted by the, seuffie. put
in an appearances.
i The Hindu called for help, and
when his cries failed to- bring prompt
response, he fired his revolver into the
ceiling. The report brought two Of
his henchmen on the run, and when
there was enough strong men present
to subdue the girl she was thrown
into the adjoining room.
| Peg found herself in a bedroom dim.
ly lighted by greasy lamp. She OBJ.
served that there was but one window
in the wall, and when she went there
to look out. Choekros hateful ewes
leered In at her.
Il warn You not to try and make
a getaway" said the Hindu. suThere
is man outside with orders to shoot
the first person to show their head If
this window. SO, if you want to die
just try to escape"
When Choekro had left the window
reg sat down upon the bed to con.
template her position. When she lotar
tried the door, and found it securely
locked, voices from the adjoining room
| told her that there couId he No ,,,,,u