The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-11-06

Upon Which Hs Was Lashsd.
gold and girl. Curse him, he seems to
bear a charmed life. though" The
Spider raised the bottle.
"His luck can't hold out forever.
We've got two strings to our bow this
time. and the scheme we have Just
thought out has got to work" The
other rascal clenched his fist and
struck the table.
at would seem 30. You go mp the
trail In the morning and fix the dead
fall and l will look after the trapdoOr
before anyone is up. One more drink
and then we'll turn In" A moment
later they had put out the light
BY the first light of morning Nor
gan crept cautiously down the cellar
by means Of the outside door. Care
fully he examined the ceiling. until in
the dim light he stood beneath the
place he sought. Directly above his
head was II trapdOOr OF sufficlent d.
mensions to permit man to drop.
hinged upon one side and held up on
the other by huge iron bolt which
was worked by means OF lever.
Drawing an oil can from his pocket.
the Hawk began carefully lubricatlng
the rusty iron lever. Finishing this
and being assured that all was in
working order, he left the cellar with
the secrecy with which he had come.
Nor during this time had the Spider
been Idle.
Leaving the harness room in the
ghOstly glow Of daybreak, the Spider
found a place on the mountain trail
that promised to suit his evil purpose.
A slight fall Of snow had come during
the night. and trodding his way along
II in such way that anyone follow
ing It would be sure to follow In his
steps, the Spider bent his steps be-
tween two trees with rough powders
upon ench side Of them. halting when
he reached the place he had chosen.
fallen until 1t hung above the spot,
caught In the branches Of its fellow
trees. and here he began the setting
of his trap.
First cutting a trigger which he
placed and cunninRly concealed across
the trail in such manner that pass
ing foot would strike II. he cut the
log in such manner that the slightest
disturbance would send it crashing
down. inevitably crushing to death
whatever creature chanced to be pass-
Ing beneath. The connecting ripe be-
tween the trigger and trunk he care
fully concealed with debris Of the for
est. then with q look Of satisfaction
for moment surveyed his work. after
which he stole away with the caution
Of lynx.
As the breakfast horn blew. Nor
gan and the Spider came from the
barn with the sleepy air Of men just
awakened from long nights sleep.
Calling their mornings greetings to
those Of the cabin they entered the
cabin and ate heartily as they talked
Of the events of the day before. The
Hawk turned to the others.
"Mr. Bellas is a mining expert who
will be Of great assistance to US in
locating the missing mine" he said.
with meaning glance at the Spider
This afternoon we will search the
hills for 1t. Suppose that Won. Rain
sace. give friend Davis the keys to
Carr's desk that he may look over
them while Bellas and I are searching
for the mine" John. sill weak and
Shaky from his fall of the day before.
,ioslded his assent.
II am afraid l could not keep up
with you today" he acQuiesced with a
weak smile. The prospect Of being
several hours alone with the girl AT
his side was ample compensation for
his aches and bruises Of the day be-