The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-08-29
EPISODE SIX
SYNOPSIS.

John Davis and Hawk Morgan, execu-
tors of the estate of John Carr. miner
disagree over the disposition of the profits
of the mine. Morgan, seeking the gold
and the girl for himself, and unsupported
by Davis, whom Ethel really loves, makes
several attempts on the life of the latter,
assisted by an accomplice named Spider
Bellas. Suspicion is diverted to a mysteri-
Gus hermit. Davis, Hawk and the Spider
leave for San Francisco to get machinery
to work the mine. Hawk and Spider
drug Davis and leave him in an aban-
doned cabin in imminent danger of ter
rible DEATH
John Davis, having rescued his NOR
tai but unsuspected enemy, Hawk
Morgan, from the vultures and living
death, and having hauled him to safety,
tripped and went over the cliff him
self. Hanging to the end of the frayed
rope and fighting his way foot by foot
back to the edge of the brink, he might
have regained it despite his terrible
handicap had not the Spider coming
up and seeing his desperate plight,
ground the frayed section of the lari-
at beneath his heel And at that das-
tardly act the rope parted and John
went shooting downward to the rocks
below.
That he would have been crushed
to death upon them there is no doubt
hae not great good fortune come to his
rescue. Some distance in his fall,
Johns body crashed into a tree that
thrust itself out at sharp angle from
the face of the cliff. and the resilient
branches Of the pine, first bending be-
meath the shock, moment later re-
sponded with counter movement that
tossed the body aside as a powerful
wrestler does the form of a weaker
antagonist. John. landing upon mar
row ledge that protruded from the
main wall Of rock, lay there as insen-
safe as the stones themselves, one arm
dangling over space. 1t so happened
that this ledge, lying as it did on an in
curve of the cliff. was not visible to
one who stood upon the upper brink
of the main descent.
Spider Bellas. having done this dam
nable thing and for the moment dis
regarding the body of his comrade,
threw himself upon his stomach and
peered over the edge. Far below him
he could see small avalanche Of
stones and dust going down In gigantic
leaps, but nothing more. Feeling GER
tain that the body of his foe was in
the midst of that roaring mass and
even now was beaten out of all SEM
blance of humanity, he watched the
avalanche grow in size each moment
until with a faint crash it was lost
in the pines far below which bordered
the Sweetwater river or creek.
He arose satisfied that they no long
er had to fear Davis in the game they
were playing and turned his attention
to his senseless friend. Dragging him
a little farther from the edge he drew
flask from his pocket and poured a
small quantity of liquor down the 9th
er's throat. Revived by the stimu
liant, Morgan sat up. He placed his
hands to his cheek, WINGED from the
pain of it and drew his palm away
covered with blood.
MY Godp' he cried with a shudder.
-'I remember now. The vultures
What happened?"
Bellas, wiping the blood away from
his still terrified pals face, was debat-
ing the words which should form his
answer.
Davis shot couple of them and
then hauled you up"
''Where Is he now?'
"He was bending over you and be-
tween you and the edge. The ledge
broke and he fell. He caught the rope
somewhere as he was going down, but
it was frayed out and-well look for
yourself" He picked up the broken
fragment and held it before the others
eyes. "It broke and he went to his
death in the valley. I think his body
must have plunged into the river and
been swept away" Solemnly Morgan
turned upon him.
Spider, did you push him over that
edge?" The spider crossed his heart.
81 did not, Hawk"
"And did you cut that roper" The
other raised his right hand on high.
$50 help me God l never laid hand
on Ii. | was back yonder among the
trees when he slipped and when l ar
rived here he already had gone over"
"Pm glad you had no hand in It,"
rnuttered the Hawk as he arose. Lets
be going back" Pausing but long
enough to permit the Spider to rough
iy bandage his wounds, Morgan led the
way to the cabin.
With an exclamation of dismay at
sight of his wretched appearance,
Ethel came hurrying forward to meet
him, Bridget Wegan close at her heels.
Rainfaee was dispatched for hot water
and medicaments, and Ethel rolling up
her sleeves began mlnistering to the
wounded one.
"TeIl me all about it, she demand
ed as her deft fingers flew on. The
Hawk answered in a weak voice
Naturally deeply hurt that you
folks suspected me of not playing fair,
| wandered off alone. The Hermit, who
for some reason unknown to me has
been doing all this mischief, attacked
me when 1 was not looking. l was
stricken down from behind, and when
I canoa to my senses / found myself