The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-08-21

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. Ethels 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 u thousand deaths,
Ethel, before you permit that vile dog
to touch you" From behind the graf
ing the voice Of the Spider addressed
Morgan in a low tone.
Lets put stop to this nonsense"
The Hawk showed him aside.
"Wait. There is time enough yet
Let's 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
shall see. silva must persuade you
little further it would SEEM"
Again he moved the lever, and low
er 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
petrifed by terror. Calmly his voice
filled the room.
"Tt will soon be over. You must
not give away, dearest girl" Ram
Chunder leered at him.
"No. Not so swift as you would
desire. See!"
Very slowly, watching their faces
with a cruel smile, he again turned
the lever a bit and slowly the upper
doors began to move. Nearer and
nearer the body Of the man the dead
ly fangs Of steel drew until they al
most touched his person. The face
of the threatened one did not change
as it looked at them through the ever
narrowing aperture. Suddenly Ethel,
unable to endure the torture OF sus-
pense longer, screamed.
Eyes, yes. I will grant anything you
may ask. For Gods sake stop. You are
not human-you are fends." Before
the words had fairly left her mouth
she had torn open her dress at the
breast, standing before them white as
death and weaving upon her feet IN
her mental agony.
Upon one side Of her Shallum
raised a cup. The fakir, drawing
small but very bright bladed knife
such as surgeons use, thrust 1t slow
ly toward her breast.
Rainface, having reached the door
of a room on the floor above, stood
listening a moment with ears that
were as keen as a VOLTS. Then as q
REGULAR sound from within reached
them, he noiselessly drew his gun
with one hand and began opening The
door with the other.
Stepping into the room with the
tread of a cat, he saw six Hlndus
upon their knees on the floor looking
through an open trap into the room
below. Approaching them from be-
hind he jabbed one of them with the
muzzle of his weapon, and at that
they sprang to their feet with low ex'
clamations of surprise. One look into
bis fierce, grim old face was enough,
and at his gesture their hands fieW
on high. Driving them silently to
corner of the room where they hud-
died beSre the threatening muzzle'
Rainface stretched himself upon the
floor and keeping one eye upon MS
victims, peered into the room below.
His first glance showed him the girl
with her dress torn open across her
bosom, Shallum with the cup upon one
side of her, Ram Chunder with his
glistening blade upon the other.
Casting his eyes upward, Morgan
saw the face of the old Indian at the
opening, glowing with hatred upon the
H1ndus below. He seized the Spider
by the arm with a grip so fierce that
the other WINGED.
"See that cursed Indian up there.
He is going to spoil everything"
And even as he spoke the Indian
acted. Still covering the Hindu gang
with his gun in his left hand he raised
himself little, whipped out long
and keen hunting knife and raised 1t
or high, then hurled it into the room
below.
Spinning through the air with
vicious whistle it came hurtling as a
bolt Of lightning from the heavens.
Full upon the throat Of Ram Chunder
it landed point first, burying itself
there. And Ram with a gasping cry,
dropped his lancet and staggered
back. Dropping his bowl Shallum
sprang forward to catch him.
"He's done it, cried Morgan from
behind the grille.
Thrusting the muzZle of his gun
III W