The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-11
EPISODE 8.
THE IRON CLUTCH.

= JOHN OhVlS, luTeU Dy Tue sight VI
Hhe vanishing Ethel into the room
where the conspirators had left the
Casket OF Death of the Hindu god,
silva, and seeing the note lying upon
1t, grasped the casket by its handles
to open 1t. Immediately the terrible
power of the casket asserted itself,
and unable to release the horrible
thing John stood swaying, his vitals
pnralyzed by the mysterious force
which the casket injected into his
body like venom from the fangs of a
deadly serpent. Swaying and gasp
ing, his consciousness gradually leav-
ing him. for a minute he managed
to retain his feet, then with gasp
collapsed to the carpet. At that mo-
ment Ram Chunder, appearing upon
the scene with murderous, curved
edged East Indian knife. came steal
ing upon him.
ITO make sure" he muttered as he
approached.
Then in the act of administering
the coup de grace he paused us though
petrifled, lifted his head turtlewise,
listened for an instant, then wheel
ing like flash vanished into the next
room.
"That cursed Indian" growled Mo-
gan who had also heard the sound.
"We've got to beat 1t now" With
one accord they rushed to the fire
escape with the exception of Ram
Chunder. who. pausing only long
enough to make few mystic passes
over the head of the trance-walking
girl, hurriedly Joined them.
Awaking in the middle Of the
q mt Rainface, wholly devoted to the
Hi, had listened for moment at
heB door to make sure that she was
siSAping undisturbed. Not hearing
her breathing he cautiously stole
glance within only to see that he'
bed was empty, the coverlet lying
half upon the floor. Suspecting mis-
chief and q quick examination Of
the suite showing that she was NOT
there, he stepped out into the hall
his nose at once becoming aware OF
the presence Of the smell Of the In
cense. Convinced that could he fol
low the trail Of the strange odor to
its source he would solve the mystery
Of the girls disappearance. he traced
1t As a setter does the track Of
partridge, q minute later finding him
self standing before the door behint
which she had gone. Throwing II
omen he entered the room. gun II
hand.
His first glance showed him JohE
lying upon the floor. the mysterioui
casket in his hands. One powerful
kick from the Indian sent the thing oi
death flying from the clutch of tn
one who held 1t, bursting 1t apar
and scattering its contents over thu
door.
Springs, wires and a pair Of elec
tic batteries went rolling about.
Bewildered BY It all, Rainface stoot
staring stupidity nrst at the uncoilet
sprfnss and tangled wires. then at tn
form Of the unconscious John. In
.ueinetiyejy he had brought one o
kAe3's wraps across his arm, and a
il sfts slowly returned he laid
unon q chair and peered from tn
window. In the courtyard below tn
Marty WAS Just disappearing eroun<
Z corner, the turbaned Ram Cnunoe'
Following In the rear with one hant
raised as though In malediction. Real
tslns that the escaping ones mus
have made their exit from the ad
toinfnr room he tried the knob. Tn
door was locked, but stepping upon
chair he shattered the transom witt
the butt Of his pistol. Ethel, In tn
room beyond, aroused from hes franc
BY the sound, gave a little scream
then looking up saw the honest coun
tenance of Rainface staring down
her. Obeying his signal she cam
unsteadily to the door. unlocked l
and stood upon the threshold. He
I. sIllidtg kAhxE zfvnInt upoA the spsol
trste form Of her lover she ran {
"a, sinking upon her knees at hi
..Bring me water and spirits Of an
monia from my ROOM" she command
ed, Nand the Indian rushed away i
sr41s obedience. Possessed cS tncs
articles che quickly revived the M
conscious one sufdciently to enabl
him to sit mp.
.Thank Godl" she breathed. John
what are You doing herer
sSomething awakened me and I 80
mn. saw you crossing the hssf an
entering a room. did NOS kno,
vhat II meant, but feared that so0l