The Washington times., 1918-04-16

10 him, blood-curdling, awful. 4
hoarse. painting breath, 4 gssping
roar, heavy footsteps, and swifter,
lighter ones, that seemed TO be
scurrying from corner TO corner in
vain efforts to escape; surely Pietro
was running round and round the
vault: Moncrief had rapid,
mental picture OF the further door
closed, the door beyond the treas
ure chamber, OF the Curse in some
way obstructing the exit by the
staircase-possibly in the darkness.
following q quick assault he had
taken up that position-of the
wretched doomed man. his light
extinguished, caught like a rat in
a trap. seeking vainly for an es-
cape, awaiting the sudden rush that
would inevitably be made upon him,
conscious of those long, graSping
arms stretched out to seize him,
of the finEers-those claws OF which
he knew the power-itching to close
upon his neck.
Moncrfef figured all this, but he
could not or would not move TO the
assistance OF his companion. Yet
he was armed; the revolver lay
within reach OF his. hand, and he
upon the darkness OF the vault. a
sudden rush and PietrO might be
saved.
"HeIp! HeIp!" He Cried.
But Moncrief did not stir, nor did
he again respond to the Wild shrieks
which mounted TO his ears.
AIohcrief-help! help" He could
distinguish the words now, but he
set his lips tightly. and seized the
door. prepared to close IL at mo-
ments notice. He was not going to
run any risk himself: had lie not
foreseen the possibility OF this con-
ciusicn to the adventure, and laid
his plans accordingly? What was
Pietro TO him that he should attempt
a rescue? What was Pietro TO the
world
Retributive Iustice-that Is what
It was-retributive Justice. and
Pietro deserved his fate. Lillian. too.
she would be glad 10 be released
from this oppressor OF hers.
IF ne had only brought UP all the
treasure" So muttered MoncriRt to
himself. III only the attack had
been a little longer delayed. Why.
I'd have shut the. door on him my
self. and then there would only have
been two to divide the treasure be-
tween-or l might have stuck TO
II all. What cursed luck
He stood peering down the black
itairway. He laughed harshly at
the idea OF retributive justice. The
sudden wish came 20 him that he
might see the contamination OF tho
tragedy. In his eagerness he de-
scended a stair. though he did no:
abandon his grasp on the door. \
sort OF blood lust was upon him.
Then All Was Silent.
THE measure you dealt out,
Pietro"-the words were in hts
heart, though he did not speak
them-'it is being meted back 20
you. What does it feel like? The
claws about your throat. You show
ed no pity. Why should I care for
your"
There was silence below. except
for the quick. Iancorous breath. The
lnan-had ceased 10 scream.
In 4 moment now" muttered
Moncrief, the last grip"
Almost a. he uttered the words
there came the noise OF a heavy fall.
frantic ycli OF agony, an eXultant
bhi a. tA triumph INIT ANGdhuE
sound that was combined Of man
and beast-snd then once more ST.
lenHc.
Il was over. Noncrle: strained his
ears. but he could not even catch
the cr"wninE note OF JOY that lie
knew would accompany the compile
tIOn OF IN" fell worh. j. must be
happenlngsat the other end OF the
vault
Ioncrief Fails Into the Vault.
i must 60" he told himself. ct
Is time 10 go"
glued 10 the spot BY some horrible
fascination He leaned st!lI further
forward. Was y really over
Suddenly his foot slipped and he
foil His hand was wrenched away
from the door, and he slid down
several steps. In his terror he gave
vent to loud cry.
The cry was answered by an angry
grOwI from the depth OF tho vault,
that % beast disturbed from liz
prey. MOrcriet had BETRAYED hiS
presence, and now he was the
subject OF attack He could Iear
heavy footsteps fastening toward
the staircase. There was no time
TO Ds iOst
lie scrambled To hl. feet, and then
realized that he had hurt his ankle
srd could not walk. il vas impos-
sibie 10 put his left FOOT to the
EroInd. He almost fell again when
ho attempted TO do so. And now
there were heavy footsteps on the
stairs, and the heavy gaspIng
breath seemed very close TO him.
A Narrow EEcape From Death.
With aRoShe- yell or abject ter
ror he went down on his hands and
knee and literally threw himself up
the stairs. Luckily for him, when
he fell lie had not pushed the door
to; had he done so Il would have
closed by It's own spring and his
:atc would have been sealed. Now
he clutched IL, and by it, assistance
drew himself Up. and out. lie !eit
long arms stretched out 70 seize
linn. and there was roar OF baffied
rage rs ne swung the door behind
hiEa, swung u so forcibly that his
feet were barely clear OF IL. and he
had TO draw them Up sharply 10
avoid contact which might have
been fatal to him.
lie had escaped, but II was By
the narrowest Of margins The
thLIg-the creature-was at the door
hammerinE upon il now with giant
fists, shaking IL fruitlessly. roaring
in anger. Moncrief dragged himself
to his feet. standing on his right
leg. and turned the key with a
vicious twist He was breathing
hard, and his heart beat SO rapidly
that he was N dread OF sudden