Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-08-14

handful Of incense into the brazier,
and ono more the back Of the room
became clouded with smoke. Three
times he struck a gong, and from the
ceiling a gigantic image Of silva, the
. lower part Of which was carved to
represent 'lrapery, slowly descended
through the smoke. Down upon a
dais at the end of the room it settled,
while Shallum running to 1t began
making mystic motions, while Ram
stepped to the wall opposite the graf
ing.
Before him was a graduated quad
rant Of metal marked in places and
with a perpendicular reversible arm
which could be swung along the arc
to points on either side. The skinny,
bony hand of the fakir seized the ar
mature and began to move it, while
the other hand pointed at the idol.
"BEHOLDw he cried
Slowly, silently the front of the
figure opened and John stood revealed
within. He was fastened to the back
Of the image by an iron collar about
his neck. while iron bands bound his
waist, arms and legs; holding him
erect, rigid and mOtiOnless. His mouth
was still covered by the cloth. His
eyes were open. and he was appar-
emily conscious of all that was taking
place. The voice Of the girl arose in
great distress.
"JOhn! Merciful heaven! What
have they done?" She sprang toward
him, but Ram selling her with a
strength that was astonishing in one
Of his age, held her back.
swat. He has not suffered vet.
silva is sometimes merciful. Per
haps-"
Shallum, approaching, bowed low.
"Oh, reverend and beloved Master!
Your elixir of life lacks but one thing"
Continue" commanded the fakir
MS the other paused. Shallum lifted
a curious drinking cup.
"This, filled with blood from the
heart, drawn from beneath the left
breast of a pure maiden and mixed
with the other ingredients, will give
back your youth, If holy silva Wills"
Turning upon the girl, Ram pointed
to her heart with a long finger.
"Dost hear?" he said. Here's life
for my youth through thy blood"
Appalled,, she shrank back.
ut cannot be-"
Tor n rnnvpnpt hn lanl-nI ~ la- x,:4I,
an evil smile, then swung the arm
Of. the quadrant and pressed it into
a slot. As he did so from each door
Of the idol rows of spikes which had
been lying fiat sprang out at right
angles to the door, pointing inward.
Should the front Of the idol now be
closed, the sharp pointed iron teeth /
would be pressed into the man
within.
AS the terrified girl uttered a
scream, Ram Chunder moved the lever
again and the two doors closed about
half way. Ethel's arms stretched
themselves forward in an appeal to
the old Hindu.
"Take off the handkerchief and let
him speak for himself" was his COM
mand to Shallum, and the latter
obeyed. Instantly Johns voice arose,
anger filed, defiant.
LET me die a thousand deaths,
Ethel, before you permit that vile dog
to touch you" From behind the graft
ing the voice of the Spider addressed
Morgan in a low tone.
Lets put a stop to this nonsense"
The Hawk showed him aside.
"Wait. There lis time enough yet.
see what she will do. We won't
let them put anything over on her"
Weapons in hands, they awaited the
outcome of the tragic scene in the
room beyond.
Ram Chunder spoke again.
"You both refuse? Very well. we
see. Silva must persuade you a
further 1t would SEEM"
Again he moved the lever, and low
doors almost closed. A look Of
pain shot across the face of the i'm
prisoned man Quickly he mastered
It and smiled at the girl, who stood
by terror. Calmly his voice
filed the room.
ut will soon be over You must
not give away. dearest girl" Ram
Chunder leered at him.
mo. Not so swift as you would
See" 4
Very slowly, watching their faces +.
q cruel smile. he again turned
The lever a bit and slowly the upper
toors began to mov Nearer and :
the body Of the man the dead.
y fangs of steel drew until they al
most touched his person. The face
If the threatened one did not change
Is 1t looked at them through the ever :
aperture. Suddenly Ethel, I
inable to endure the torture Of sus- {
'ense longer, screamed.
"Yes. yes. I will grant anything you
nay ask. For Gods sake stop. You are
lot human-you are fiends." Before
he words had fairly left her mouth I
he had torn open her dress at the !
,reast, standing before them white as ,
leath and weaving upon her feet in ,
Ter mental agony. H.
Upon n side Of her Shallum
aised u cup. The fakir, drawing a
mall but very bright bladed knife =
'uch as surgeons use, thrust 1t slow
y toward her breast.
Rainface, having reached the door .
Il a room on the floor above. stood :.
a moment with ears that '
as keen as a VOLTS. Then as al
ocular sound from within reaches
hem, he noiselessly drew his SUI
With one hand and began opening tk,\