Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1919-08-29

locked the door of his vehicle. Then
mounting the box he drove off. Mean
while Jake was making ready to carry
out his part of the infamous plan.
Putting his pencil and paper in his
pocket, John, his attention attracted
by the sudden stopping of the taxi,
looked about. They were standing at
the foot Of a steep hill at sharp bend,
while coming down upon them and
apparently beyond control, was great
truck of such ponderousness that
should. it strike them it would crush
them even as locomotive. The pas
senger shot a glance at his chauffeur
who was working desperately at the
wheel. Believing from the actions of
the other that there was some engine
trouble, and that to remain seated
where he was would involve his death
before the Oncoming monster of the
hill. John seized the door of the cab
and turned the knob. 1t was locked
and whirling to the other side he tried
that way of exit also with the same re-
suit.
One glance showed him the truck
coming at terrific speed and almost up
on them. To delay longer meant GER
tain disaster, and with no alternative
| left he raised his cane and smashing
| the glass window of his prison, leaped
head first through it just as the truck
struck the taxi. Throwing himself fiat
into the gutter, he raised his eyes to
see the ponderous vehicle crash into
cab, roll it over and grind it to pieces
as though it had been crushed by a
war tank. Getting upon his feet,
Davis found himself quickly surround
ed by crowd. A policeman came in
to their midst, leading the driver of
the truck by the arm. Johns chauffeur
following close in their steps. The
officer stopped before Davis, then turn
ing upon Jake.
"What is the meaning Of this?"
"My brakes wouldn't work." said
Jake with defiant glare.
"And my engine went dead on me
and I was stalled" supplemented the
one-eyed man. John laughed grimly as
he faced the policeman.
"Guess we'd better call 1t an acct
dent, officer, and let it go at that
Arriving at the Office of Caldwell,
Brace & Co., the senior gentleman of
that firm concluded his talk with John.
"That mining machinery was brought
from Alaska and unloaded at Alamac
Island. You will find launch, the
Seabird. at our private dock. One Of
our men can take you over If neces-
sary." John interrupted him.
81 can run 1t myself if you like"
"Good. Go and look the stuff over,
then come back and we will talk bust
ness" With this understanding be-
tween them, the two parted.
Down in the lumberyard the Spider,
lundismayed at the rcky escape of the
intended victim, was seated upon a
huge pile of boards so laid that the
tor of the pile overhung the bottom
by several feet. Barney and Jake, who
had reported to nim the miscarriage
of their plans, were ordered by Bellas
to remain in attendance, whereupon
the latter left them. Securing pack
age marked Dynamite" which he had
secreted near by, he carried the ex-
Dlosive to a small boat which was tied
TO the wharf near the motorboat, Sea-
Nird. Placing the dynamite in the fore
part of his skiff he covered it with a
49,. ox,1{ LIT N1,nx nj
man of the lumber yard approached.
"Hurry up" he warned. 1.-THE boys
will be coming bach from dinner soon"
The Spider nodded with a pointing of
his finger at what he had done. Then
sneaking away he secreted himself
where he might be ready for the decid-
ing moment.
Driving up to the place that he might
inspect the machinery, John dismOuntA
ed from his machine and stepped for
ward with the idea of inspecting the
stuff before he returned for his final
consultation with Caldwell. Pursuing
his way as directed by the latter, he
stepped directly beneath the middle of
the lumber pile which overhung its
great weight some twenty-feet gh in
the air. and at this the watching Spi-
der gave the signal. AZ once Inc two
scoundrels upon the top gave the over
balanced heap powerful pry with the
lever they had improvised, and the
whole massive pile thus thrown from
it's equilibrium, started down.
Warned by some Slight sound from
above, the threatened one below
glanced upward just in time to see the
mass start its descent. With the quick
ness of cat he made leap, and as he
did so the descending boards, falling
about him in an avalanche of lumber,
shut him off from sight. And at that
same instant Barney and Jake, seeking
to leap and make their escape, were
caught In the downpouring slide. The
one-eyed ones thrown aside 81 some
lplunging board. escaped instant death
and scampered from the scene. The
head of Jake was crushed as
though by a pile-driver and his vii
lainies were thing of the past. From
where they had watched the affair, the
onL a halpo- oouao running