Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-01-03

Sell ailu inc fcllClllldu.
But Ward, his eyes blazing,
stepped in front of the admiral.
$50 this is your reward!" he
sncered. "You, who would have
betrayed me, who would have
made me Infamous, shall yourself
be infamous! Now it is Frances
turn-for her / will produce a new
Instrument"
"That is not necessary, M.
Yard" broke in Crochard. "Therc
need not be even that small delay.
have the old one here" and he
tapped the pocket Of his coat.
"The old one!' echoed Ward.
"But Kasia destroyed i'll"
1T was not destroyed. | will ex-
plain. Are you quite ready9 Then
pass out before me and await me
in the outer room"
Still staring, Ward opened the
door. Then he sprang to the table
with a glad cry, and caught up the
box which stood there.
1T is complete again!'' he
cried. cit is"
With a hoarse shout, Pachmann
leaped at Orchards throat. But,
in midair, a spatter of liquid broke
against his face, and his body hur-
tied onward to the floor.
And then, from the floor below,
came an answering shout, a shot,
the clatter of heavy feet
With shining eyes, Crochard
dropped OH one knee beside his ad-
versary, and bent for a moment
above the body. Then he sprang
to his feet and switched off the
light.
"Stand here!" he said,
snatched the inventor to one side,
and stood facing the outer door.
But it did not open. No further
sound reached them.
"Cowards!" muttered Gro
chard. "tThey wait in ambush!
Well, let us see" and stealing to
the door, he opened it softly, soft
ly, bracing his knee against it.
Still there was no sound.
Cautiously he peered out. The
hall was empty.
Noiselessly he crawled to the
stair head and looked down. He
could see no one. But where were
Pachmann's mel = hiding some
where in the hall below, waiting
for him to appear
He drew back with a little ex-
clamation, for from somewhere
below came the groan of a man
in pain.
For a moment Crochard sat with
bewildered face, trying to under.
stand. Then he sprang to his feet
and went rapidly from door to
door in the upper hall. All of them
were armed with heavy outside
bolts, but only one was fastened
He drew the bolts and peoned the
door a crack.
lis any one here9" he asked.
There was no response, and
feeling for the switch, he turned
on the lights and looked in. The
room was empty. But in an instant
his eye had seen three details
the shattered furniture, the dis
ordered bed, the open window.
AT the window, the corner of {
sheet was tied securely to a hing.
of the heavy shutter, which hae
been pried open. Crochard touched
it thoughtfully and nodded. Their
he peered down into the well Xix,
court on which the window open
ed. But he could see no movement
there.
He retracted his steps to tn,
hall, and again peered cautiousl,
from the stair head, and agail
heard that dismal grooming.
Come" he murmured; ether
is not much to fear from that fel
low!' and he resolutely de
scended, eyes alert, pistol in hand
Halfway down, he stopped il
amazement, for the front doc
swung wide open. But at last h
finished the descent and locke,
about him.
Against the wall back Of til
stairs sat . burly figure, one han,
pressed to his shoulder. a re,
stream oozed between his fingers
and his dull eyes showed that h
wan only half conscious. He wa
grooming systematically with eac1
breath. Across from him was q
open door, and looking cautiousl
Through It, Crochard perceived 8
1.-The noor 4of the room beyond
second burly figure, notionless 9
lita back.
Upon my word" he con
amented. THAT young fellow doe
his work WELT a charming 81
No. S4xA&TgESN $500 &c.