The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-12-20

h'Cbustidh away uNySNtVuy
from the window. He was indeed be-
tween two evils. He moved toward
the door, but Jerry Carson stood in his
way, holding revolver that he had
drawn from his pocket and adopting
n nonchalant attitude.
Sebastian fell on his knees. "For-
give mel" he gasped. And he burst in
to impassloned pleas for liberty.
Jerry Carson hesitated. He felt no
pity for the PROSTATE man Mt his feet,
but, as he looked at him, he realized
the futility of his years of suffering
and sacrifice. At first, burning with
hatred, he had planned only to be re-
venged on the man who had stolen his
sweetheart and consigned him to an
ignominious death with Il furnished
name. He had often anticipated the
moment that had come; now that it
had come he felt his anger fade away.
1.-The freeing of my name means
more to me than bringing you to JUS
tlce." lie said slowly. "Sign this con-
fessiOn of the forgery and you shall
so free so far as am concerned. You
shall take your chance with the police
for your other crimes"
He took folded paper from his
pocket. Sebastian, stammering inco-
herent words of gratitude, sprung to
his feet, op, ned 1t, and read ii.
1t was more complete than Sebastian
could have imagined. 1t revealed an
amazing knowledge of the mans past,
it mentioned the crimes for which he
knew that his life was forfeit.
Sebastian hesitated. Even then his
subtle mind was planning trickery.
Its that or" said Jerry signifi-
cantly. indicating the grounds outside.
And even as he waved his hand Sebns-
tiun heard feet on the gravel walk,
followed by a knock ut the door.
He flung himself into chair. affixed
his name to the confession, and ran
from the room.
Jerry took the paper and replaced
it in his pocket. Then, quietly, he went
to the door of the house and opened 1t.
Sebastian's country house had been
constructed for just such II fox rs he
was. The cellar had n secret partition,
put in by worlimen OF his own national
ity. This was Scbastian's last refuge
in case of trouble. Ii was II little room
in which quantity of food was stored.
with II small lamp. II wns impossible
to discover it unless one knew of its
existence. And Sebastian had taken
care that his confederate, Whitley.
should not know of its existence.
lie Gnrtcd from the room. rushed to-
ward the back of the house, looked
back. and saw that Jerry's back was
turned. At the end of the long pas
sage Jerry was In the act of admitting
Leontine and the police.
He dartcd down into the cellar. en-
cunningly devised entrance piece Of
stone. Crouching there in the dark
ness he heard his pursuers swarming
into the house.
A few moments later he heard one
of the policemen descending. He saw
the faint ray of the flash-light through
chink in the stone.
We've got you." shouted the police
man.
1t was all Sebastian could do to keep
himself in check. He was afraid that
even tiit VI his NoNid
betray him. But the man was blufling
He looked at the back of the furnace,
examined the inside of couple Of
barrels in one corner. and tramped
up the stairs again.
When he was gone, Sebastian crept
cautiously out. He looked about him.
There was no danger for the moment.
He moved toward the cellar bulkhead
and lifted it.
Through the little crevice that he
had made he perceived Leontiue and
Whitley Wang conversing together a
little distance away. Immediately in
I front of the bulkhead grew some rose
, shrubs. 1t was possible to crawl out
/ quietly and. under cover of these, to
approach within a few feet of the
pair.
Leaving the bulkhead the least bit
open, in case of the sudden need of
flight. Sebastian took his revolver
from his pocket and began to worm his
way along the ground in the direction
of the pair.
And. crawling stealthily as puma
on its native plains, he presently
heard Whitey's voice.
You told me I'd done n service tC
the state" he was saying triumphantly
"Well. l guess that's right enough, but
1 did it for the money"
Leontine, listening to Whitey's franz
statement, was unable to conceal tn,
horror she felt for the traitor. Anc
that look on her face saved her life.
1 hos who hnI hnSitnfn1 he
tween the two. leveled his revolver a
Whitley and fred.
Before the little pun of smoke hat
become dissipated Whitley was lyin,
dead with n bullet in his brain.
Leontine screamed, and, at her cry
the others came running toward her
She swung round. saw Sebastian, an'
Screamed agaiD in mortal fenr. SehaS