The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-29

Illuminate of mercury on every
one"
"All right. Rush it. Let me know
the minute you're ready"
A moment Of waiting followed then
q man shouted:
"All ready, sir!"
Grant looked back at the swiftly
rushing flames, then turned to the
men.
Now boys. Each man to a detona-
tor" he shouted. When I say the
word explode the dynamite!"
There was a rush of dark figures
In the glow OF light. An order cut
the air-then from the distance came
a tremendous roar that dwarfed the
noises Of the night as the outskirts
Of Hopeweu rose into the air. Great
masses Of wreckage fell about the
men. Clouds Of smoke and dust
blackened the night air and stifled
| the onlookers. then the flames showed
| though once more-but this time
they faced a gaping ditch Of earth so
wide that they could not cross. The
guncotton factory was saved! Har-
rison Grant turned with q smile to
the captain Of the guard, while wild
cheers burst from the frantic citizens.
Dixie Mason had made good speed
toward Hopewell for the greater part
Of the distance. The car had run
steadily until just as she came in
sight Of the columns Of smoke clouds
Of burning HopeWell and realized that
instruction Number Four had un-
doubtedly been carried to a success
full conclusion, her heart sank at the
sound Of a whistling rush Of air from
the rear wheel. She stopped tho ma
oh tRRA igYVro a the nrF
the hopelegsly flattened wheel. With
grim determination she dragged out
heavy tools from beneath the seat Of
the machine and set to work to re-
pair the damage as best she could,
her mind running mechanically to the
disaster that had befallen Hopewell.
SO this was Instruction Number
Four!
Dixie Mason Captures DolTings Single
Handed.
At the sound Of cracking in the
bushes Dixie turned apprehensively.
The haggard figure Of a man which
dragged Itself into a road was one to
inspire horror. He stared wildly for
a moment and then lurched forward
toward her. Dixie instinctiVely reach
ed for the heavy wrench for protec-
ton but he shook his head.
81 won't hurt you," he called
hoarsely. I'm in trouble want you
to take me to Richmond"
Dixie shook her head. TIM not go
ing to Richmond"
But you can! His voice rose in
the intensity of his plea. "A hundred
dollars If you will get me there. l
can't wait for trains. I'll raise the
A hI1y,
get me there"
Dixie leaned over and stared at
him for a moment by the glow Of
the automobile lights. Surely she
had seen this man before, despite
the haggard appearance, the rough
ness, the dirt and CRIME and blood
stained bandages. Was this Dollings,
the sanctimonious undertaken Of Exc
ter? A recognition OF him lighted
her eyes for a moment. She cast a
glance back at the smoke clouds
darkening the sky and the glow Of
flames from Hopewell. instruction
Number Four! This was the man to
whom Won Lertz had sent the mes
sage to proceed on Instruction Num-
Der Four!
Dixie turned to the machine.
IT can't hurry-and put this tire on
too"
Then you'll take me to Richmond"
eff you can help me get this tire
on"
'I can't help much. but can hold
the tire for you"
Dixie nodded. She rolled out the |
extra tire and the work progressed. |
Now and then Dixie reached in her |
pocket, and one less intent on the |
work in hand would have caught the |
sound of a racheted surface being
opened. But Dollings' senses dulled
by pain and anxiety did not notice.
The tire was on the wheel. Dixie
rolled out the old tire to place it in
position and gave it to Dollings to
hold He leaned on it, his gaze
turned up the road toward the burn
ing town. Dixie gazed UP toward the |
rising column Of smoke and sparks !
too and thought Of the destruction
and sorrow and suffering it meant. |
Then very quietly she crept forward |
toward Dollings. His hands rested |
close together on the tire. He was
not noticing her. She leaned over the |
tire and with q sharp snap slipped |
the handouts about his wrists. Dol
lings sprang at her with snarl but
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