The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-12-25

motion Of his hand the boy curled him
self In the bottom of the basket mud
was covered with laces and embrOid-
Ieries. then. at a further signal from
'Shallum. JoOst-SIngh and another Hin
du raised the receptacle in their arms.
"Follow me-" commanded Shailum.
They reached the Hotel Mackenzie,
and Shallum raped at the door Of the
Americans. As 1t was opened glance
within showed him Ethel, Morgan and
Rainface. AS the three started up in
surprise, the Hindu made low obei-
sance.
"Please. Sahib. l come In sorrow
and repentance. not in war or hate"
At his motion Joost- Singh and the 9TH
er Hindu appeared. bearing the basket
between them. Shallum spoke again.
"The Holy Ram Chunder is dead.
but before he went to the abode Of the
gods he commanded me to ask the
Sahibs their forgiveness and accept
his gifts In token Of his repentance"
He opened the lid OF the box and be-
gan laying the laces before Ethel. but
Morgan interposed roughly.
"very well. Well forgive him see
ing he is dead. Leave the. stun and
get out" With a bow which con-
eealed his glare of hate, Shallum and
his followers retired. Scarcely had
they disappeared than in came the
Spider.
Ethel rushed up to him with hands
0utstretched.
"John-Mr. Davis! Did you ind
trace of himr she cried. Solemnly
the Spider shook his head.
"No. Miss. Not a trace. We drag
ged the water In front Of the dock, but
found nothing"
Throwing herself upon a couch the
heart-broken girl covered her face
with her hands.
''It certainly is too bad" cOnsOled
the Hawk hypocritically.
Suddenly she sat erect, eyes wide
and ears strnining. Then with cry
she leaped to her feet and went rum
ming to the door.
'He is coming!" she almost scream
cd. 'T heard his footsteps in the
hail." With face flown white she
threw the door wide, and there upon
the threshold rugged and dirt-covered
stood Davis. Another second and she
was In his arms.
Grent as was their surprise and
rage. the Hawk and Spider were COM
PEELED to swallow their emotions. AZ
Davis released the girl. the scOundrel-
ly pair came forward with hands out
stretched and smiles upon their faces.
The greeting over, all demanded that
he tell the story of his adventures
which he briefly did, ending up with
grim laugh.
$50 you see I've been run over.
crushed. blown up, drowned. assaulted.
.hanghaied-it is evident I am doomed
to die in bed after ALL" Admiringly
Morgan looked him over.
you've played In great luck. old
man. We have engaged the men.
closed the deal for the machinery and
nre ready to start back for Gods coun.
try-which is the mine. of course"
Meanwhile for another suit OF
clothes, then we will all go down and
dine" said Davis. Going to his room
he made his change, and this done ali
left the apartment.
Scarcely had they departed the room
than the head Of the Hindu boy aros<
from the basket silent as a cobra's
Making sure that he was alone, the
youth took from his pocket severa
little pierced silver balls, and. going te
q faucet, held them under the running
water. The balls contained the sleei
producing perfume Of the Orient. which
l vurha kAn oHo~ Hpx.<V hnl
absorbed by the outer covering Of TIN
balls. would then escape and 6ll thu
air with Its sweet smelling fumes. Go
ing to Johns room he put one undel
the mattress. another In the same place
In Etheis chamber and four more II
different hiding places In the livini
room. This done he went out Of thu
window and secreteti himself upon thu
fire escape.
Having finished their meal in tht
dining-room below. John stifed a yawn
"Inasmuch Us we must make al
early start and are all tired tonight
move that we adjourn to bed. Rain
face and will take the middle room
and witch until midnight. Morgan
and Bellas Gan have my room unit
twelve O'Clock, then watch until morn
Ing. We must not tnke any NOR,
chances" All agreeing to this sensi
BILE proposition. they returned to thu
apartment.
Late evening came. Creeping alont
the fire escape the Hindu hoy peepet
into each room successfully. A glance
told him that Morgan and the Spider
VQre already sOuudly SIepDing beneath
the drug. while in the living room
Davis was beginning to nod heavily
and Rainface, sliding slowly from the
couch. came to full length upon the
floor. Ethel was also unconscious, and