The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-11-13

behind his mask n slow grin Of Suits
faction asserted itself. Ethel, finding
her mouth freed, drew her breath for
the cry for help that would bring her
friend rushing into the room, but
her enemy was too quick for her.
Feeling the long intake of her breath
about to follow. he clutched her by
the throat and The cry died unborn.
Holding her thus he tore strip from
her pillow and bound 1t about her
lips until all further danger from this
source was smOthered.
Next taking her own lassO from its
hook upon the wall he proceeded to
bind her lashing her round and about
us spider binds a fiy In its mesh. and
having finished this and made her
completely helpless, wrapped her In
blanket. Opening a window and listen
ing and peering until satisfied that the
Coast was clear, he again raised her
in his arms and bore her through the
opening.
Picking his way carefully over the
well trodden ground, stepping only
where others had stepped before him
so as to leave no new trail; treading
from bare rock to bare rock he disap-
peared. leaving no clew which the eye
could follow behind him.
But few minutes later Morgan
and Davis, Rainface following. entered
the living room of the house. John
was speaking.
perhaps you are right. Anyway.
tomorrow we will try" He glanced
about the vacant room. "Where is
Ethel?" he demanded sharply.
Frantically rushing about the place
they searched 1t nook and Granny. the
cellar, the barn. the Outbulldings. No
l sign of the missing one was to be
found. She had vanished as complete
ly as though she had never been born.
Sinking upon chair Davis rested his
head In his hand. addressing them In
a voice that was dry and hard.
"That damned. Internal scoundrel
has come and gone again. And he has
taken Ethel with him. There Is no
use Of searching further here. for he
has borne her away to some hidden
retreat My God! What shall we dof"
First you and now she." returned
the Hawk huslsily. "What is the mean
Ing of 1t all?' Davis aroused himself.
'As for me, well, that didn't matter
much. But IL he harms a hair Of that
girls head I'll cut his heart out and
throw 1t to the wolves"
"And I'll help you with . willing
hand" chimed In Morgan, woeful Of
face but with q laugh In his bosom.
John got upon his feet.
'Rainface. you and must start up
the canyon at once, scatter and begin
the search. He has had but a short
start and 1t may be that we can over
take him." Quickly the Indian came
forward, eager n q hound for the
chase. but Morgan pointing to the
sobbing Bridget laid his hand upon his
cousins arm.
Somebody had better stay behind.
We have another woman to look aft
er." Instantly Davis agreed.
"Yes, nearly had forgotten Bridget.
She II 30 capable Of taking care Of
herself under ordinary circumstances
that did not realize how this has un-
nerved her. By all means you must
stay here" Running to the barn John
and Rainface hurriedly began saddling
their horses.
Bearing the girl bound and gagged
to the barn, the Spider laid her upon
the door as he swiftly followed out his
plan. Drawn to one corner Of the
place where 1t was kept when not in
use was the block and tackle which
was employed during the haying sea-
son for hoisting fodder into the loft
above and taking q half hitch Of this
rope about her body began heaving
her toward the top of the barn. Hav-
ing elevated her to the proper height