The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-11-08

nodded and started up the han stairs
The waterway was an old subter-
ranean sluice under Bianca's house,
which was very ancient and had been
country home before the advance OF
the encrOaching city enmeshed 1t In 1ts
tentacles, together with the other scat
tered residences Of the street. This
water-duct had long ago become dis
used, and it's existence forgotten. b.
anca, in the course of the reconstruc-
tions which she had made, for the pur-
pose of storing stolen goods. had come
upon 1t and followed it down to the
river, half mile distant. She had dis
covered also that there still existed Il
connection with the city water supply
by means Of large pipe in the wall of
her cellar.
She had fitted a connection between
this pipe and bathroom on the floor
where was her bedroom. Just outside
the bathroom she constructed trap
door with an iron ladder leading down
to the sluice, in order to furnish herself
| with a safe and sure escape In case
of need.
The switch in the bathroom was
open. leaving the sluice full. But a
turn of it would at once begin to
empty it into the river beyond.
Bianca waited near the trap door
for the accomplishment of her servi-
tors errand.
But presently she found the strain
too much for her. She went into her
boudoir and sank down upon couch.
Bring her down." said one of BIZ
anca's men to the other. Il guess
madame doesn't want it done in the
bedroom"
"Who's going to do the trick?" the
other retOrted.
'Ill do it If you'll get her. Bring
her along this way, without letting her
suspect, and I'll be behind this cur
tain"
| The second man made his way up
stairs. He unlocked Leontine's door
and stood for moment hesitating.
AS he stood there an arm slid round
his neck and hand was pressed over
his mouth and nostrils, his knees gave
under him and he fell unconscious to
the floor.
Ravengar released him and looked
into her purple face. He opened
the door. LeOntine, who had heard
the lock unfasten, was waiting in the
middle of the room. Ravengar entered,
seized her hand. and kissed it.
Come with me, Leontine," he said.
"There is not moment to be lost.
VIII you promise to keep composed
| Il toll
She gave swift look at him, and
nodded. Ravengar gave her his arm
and led her out of the room, past the
man on the floor, who was already
beginning to recover consciousness.
He led her down the stairs hurried
ly. Fortunately nobody was on guard.
In her bOudoir Blanca, whose keen
ears heard the sound of footsteps,
thought it was the men coming to tell
her that the job was done.
Meanwhile the second of the mur-
derers waited behind the curtains. He
heard Ravengar descending with Leon
tine, but he thought the man was his
confederate.
Ravengar, in his comings and goings,
had learned all about the sluiceway.
l
, bathroom and hastily raised the trap
door, which lay beneath piece OF
carpet, apparently one with that which
|. ran along the passage, but in reality
, separate.
'Go down there" he whispered. at
leads to sluiceway that opens upon
the river. When you reach the bot
tom wait till the sluice empties; then
, run as fast as you can till you see
daylight. Then you will be Free"
. Leontine looked at him. "You?" she
, whispered.
II shall turn of the water; then
may follow. But don't wait for me-"
The girl stepped down hurriedly
felt for and found the upper rungs OF
the ladder, and descended. Ravengal
closed it. stepped into the bathroom
/. and shut off the supply. Then he
emerged, just as the second confeder
: ate came from behind the curtain.
His mouth opened in amazement
then, with an oath, he whipped out Q
: revolver and leveled it. Ravengar
smiling at him, waited. At that in
, stant the half-strangled man came
! slowly down the stairway. He saw
7 Ravcngar and shouted. At the cry
Blanca came running out of her room
She stared at Ravengar as If she
could not believe her eyes. Then, let
ting them fall for a moment, she saw
something which arrested her atten
ton. 1t was fragment of Leontine':
| in thn mr.