The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-08-28

ney, John consulted the list Morgan
had given him, while the driver slyly
locked the door of his vehicle. Then
mounting the box he drove off. Mean
while Jake was making ready to carry
out his part of the infamous plan.
Putting his pencil and paper in his
pocket, John, his attention attracted
by the sudden stopping Of the taxi,
looked about. They werc standing at
the foot Of steep hill at sharp bend,
while coming down upon them and
apparently beyond control, was great
truck Of such ponderousness that
should it strike them it would crush
them even as q locomotive. The pas
senger shot q glance at his chauffeur
who was working desperately at the
wheel. Believing from the actions OF
the other that there was some engine
trouble, and that to remain seated
where he was would involve his death
before the oncoming monster Of the
hill, John seized the door Of the cab
and turned the knob. It was locked,
and whirling to the other side he tried
that way Of exit also with the same re-
suit.
One glance showed him the truck
coming at terrific speed and almost up
on them. To delay longer meant GER
tain disaster, and with no alternative
left he raised his cane and smashing
the glass window Of his prison, leaped
head first through it just as the truck
struck the taxi. Throwing himself. fiat
into the gutter, he raised his eyes to
see the ponderous vehicle crash into
the light framework Of the deserted
cab, roll it over and grind it to pieces
as though it had been crushed by a
war tank. Getting upon his feet,
Davis found himself quickly surround
ed by crowd. A policeman came in
to their midst, leading the driver Of
the truck by the arm, Johns chauffeur
following close in their steps. The
officer stopped before Davis, then turn
ing upon Jake.
"What is the meaning Of this?"
'My brakes wouldn't work." said
Jake with a defiant glare.
"And my engine went dead On me.
and I was stalled" supplemented the
one-eyed man. John laughed grimly as
he faced the policeman.
"Guess we'd better call it an acci-
dent, officer, and let it 60 at that"
Arriving at the Office OF Caldwell,
Brace & Co., the senior gentleman Of
that firm concluded his talk with John.
t'That mining machinery was brought
from Alaska and unloaded at Alamac
Island. You will find launch, the
Seab:rd, at our private dock. One Of
our men can take you over If neces-
sary" John interrupted him.
'I can run it myself if you like"
"Good. Go and look the stuff over,
then come back and we will talk busi-
ness" With this understanding be-
tween them, the two parted.
Down in the lumberyard the Spider,
undismayed at the lucky escape Of the
intended victim, was seated upon a
huge pile of boards so laid that the
top Of the pile overhung the bottom
by several feet. Barney and Jake. who
had reported to him the miscarriage
of their plans, were ordered by Bellas
to remain in attendance, whereupon
the latter left them. Securing pack
age marked Dynamite" which he had
secreted near by, he carried the ex-
plosive to a small boat which was tied
to the wharf near the motorboat, Sea-
bird. Placing the dynamite in the fore
part Of his skiff he covered 1t with a
tarpaulin, then laid a fuse. The watch
man of the lumber yard approached.
'Hurry up," he warned. "The boys
will be coming back from dinner soon."
The Spider nodded with a pointing Of
his finger at what he had done. Then
sneaking away he secreted himself
where he might be ready for the decid-
ing moment.
Driving up to the place that he might
inspect the machinery, John dismount-
ed from his machine and stepped for
ward with the idea Of inspecting the
stuff before he returned for his final
consultation with Caldwell. Pursuing
his way as directed by the latter, he
stepped directly beneath the middle Of
the lumber pile which overhung its
great weight some twenty-feet high in
the air, and at this the watching Spi-
der gave the signal. At once the two
scoundrels upon the top gave the over
balanced heap a powerful pry with the
lever they had improvised, and the
whole massive pile thus thrown from
its equilibrium, started down.
Warned by some slight sound from
above, the threatened one below
glanced upward just in time to see the
mass start it's descent. With the quick
ness of cat he made leap, and as he
did so the descending boards, falling
about him in an avalanche Of lumber,
shut him off from sight. And at that
same instant Barney and Jake. seeking