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

tint, for he, better than any. under
stood the horrors in store. But. with
a really splendid effort, he regained
self-control
This is the end for me- he NUT
tered. I'll be dead man in a few
minutes. At any rate, Malta, you
will never again doubt my devo-
toni"
The hapless girl on the couch burst
into a new paroxysm of grief, While
her terrified friends mingled their
tears with hers.
Hong Kong Harrys forebodings
were only too well warranted. Soon
footsteps were heard, the door was
opened, and four men entered. Two
seized Hong Kong Harry's arms.
while the others covered him with
revolvers. There was no struggle.
Not a word was spoken. After a last.
lingering glance at Malta, Hong Kong
Harry went out with his captors,
knowing full well that resistance was
useless.
He was taken straight to that aw-
full room in which reposed the rack.
Ali Singh awaited him. The express
able as that of the Sphynx, but Ka-
tisha, who stood near, could not re-
press a triumphant smile. At one
stroke she had assured her rival
fate and punished the man who had
been so purblind that he despised her
own exuberant charms.
Ali Singh regarded the prisoner for
O. few moments with a contemplative
glance. Then, as though testing some
problem which preplexed him, he
made the sign of the crescent. Hong
Kong Harry bent his head, but.
though his hands were now at liberty.
they hung listless at his side.
II thought So growled the other
in a tone of utter contempt. You
are a Christian at heart. Had you
shown that you were still faithful to
our cause, I would have allowed you
to kill yourself. AS it is, I must
teach you what it means to disobey
my will"
A gruff command sent two of his
slaves at the half castles wrists
and arms. A third man grabbed the
unhappy youths ankles, and al
though in sheer desperation he now
made a valiant struggle, he was soon
strapped to the rack, but face down.
ward, whereas Malta had been placed
thereon on her back.
Hong Kong Harry hoped against
hope that the apparatus would not
move, but he was quickly undeceived.
The cable had been repaired. The
dynamo worked freely, and the great
beams began to cross. Before, how
ever, his limbs were subjected to any
real strain, Ali Singh stopped the
machinery and picked up yellow
dish containing some clear liquid.
He handled it very carefully, and ar
ranged it on the platform of the rack
in such a manner that the movement
of the great cressbars would slowly
shove the victims face into the dish
and it's contents.
Then he spoke.
with your eyes you saw" he said,
''and with your effeIninate face you
may have attracted foolish wom-
ans desire, but your half-breed's
heart is wholly Christian, so. when
this nitric acid reaches your face only
the heart will be left, as all else will
be obliterated!"
Realizing now the horrible fate in
store for him, Hong Kong Harry al
ternately yelled for mercy and shrieked
curses at his tormentor. Ali Singh
seemed rather amused. He even
waited minute or two as though en-
joying the TRADE. Then he touched
the switch and the rack commenced
its slow motion again.
May Manning had kept her wits
about her when the door closed on the