Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-03
"My God! Have You Killed Him?"

"My God! Have You Killed Him"
the end-here. Got a knife? Cut OFF
Il section about three feet long. I'll
get the gag in his mouth while you're
doing it. Hangmen always carry their
own ropes he concluded. with grew
some humor. Got il cut? Well, cut
two more sections. same length
With incredible swiftness the two
of them bound the feet, knees n
arms of the inert victim.
81 came prepared" said Sprouse, so
calmly that Barnes marveled at the
iron nerve of the man.
by heaven, Sprouse, II believe
he's dead. We've haven't any right
to kill a"
Don't be finicky." snapped Sprouse.
1T wasn't much of a crack, and 1t
was necessary" Strengthening up,
with a sigh of satisfaction, he laid his
hand on Barnes shoulder. We've
just got to go through with ii now,
Barnes. Well never get another
chance. Putting that fellow out of
business queers us forever afterward.'
He dropped TO his knees and began
searching over the ground with his
hands. Here ii is. You can't see ii,
of course. so I'll tell you what it is.
A nice little block of sandalwood. I've
already got his nice little hammer. so
Wen see what we can raise in the way
of wireless chit-chat."
Without the slightest hesitation he
struck a succession of quick. confident
blows upon the block of wood.
by CAD. you are a wonder!"
Wal till tomorrow before you say
that replied Sprouse. sententiOuSly.
Come along now. Stick to the trail.
We've got to land the other one"
Turning sharply to the right,
Sprouse guided his companion through
the brush for some distance, and once
more came to a halt. Again he stole
on ahead, and as before the slow, con-
fident, ever careless progress of a
man ceased as abruptly as that of the
comrade who lay helpless in the
thicket below.
Barnes laid a firm, OBTAINING hand
on the mans shoulder.
"See here. Sprouse,' he whispered,
"it's all very well for you, knocking
men over like this, but just what is
your object? What does all this lead
up TOT"
Sprouse broke in, and there was
not the slightest trace of emotion in
his whisper.
Quite right. You ought 70 know.
. you thought l was bringing
You W here for a Romeo and Juliet
]tete-a-tete with the beautiful Miss
C~ameron-and for nothing else. Well,
in a way, you are right. But, first OF
all. my business is to recover the
crown jewels and parchments. | am
going into that house and take them
away from the man you know as Loeb,
If ne has them. IF he hasn't them my
work here is a failure"
"Going into the house?' gasped
Barnes. "Why, my God, man, that Is
impossible. You would be shot down
as an ordinary burglar and-the law
would Justify them for killing you. I
must insist"
81 am not asking you to 60 into the
house, my friend. I shall go alone"
said SprOuse cOOlly.
"On the other hand, l zane up here
to rescue a helpless"
keep cool! It's the only way.
Now listen. She has designated her
room and the windows that are hers.
She is lying awake up there now, take
1t from me, hoping that you will come
tonight. / shall lead you directly to
her window. And then comes the only
chance we take-the only instance
where we gamble. There will 0 be
a light In her window, but that won't
make any difference. This nObby
cane Tin carrying is in reality a col.
lapsible fishing rod. First we use II
to tap gently On her window ledge OF
shade or whatever we find. Then you
pass up a little note to her. Here Is
paper and pencil. Say that you are
below her window and-all ready to
take her away. Tell her to lower her
valuables, some clothes, etc, from the
window by means of the rope wei
pass up on the pole. There is a re
mote possibility that she may have the
jewels in her room. For certain rea'
Sons they may have permitted ner tc
retain them. If such Is the case OuI
work is easy. IF they have taker
them away from her she'll say so
some way or anOther-and she vii
not leave! Now I've had a good loOl
ut the front Of that house. II Is GOV
cred with q lattice work and huge
vines. ] can shin up Ike a squire
and 90 through her room to the"
"Are you crazy, Sprouse? You're
take your life In your hands and"
"See here" said SprOuse shortly
~ am not risking my life for the fur
OF the thing. I am risking It for her
bear that In mind-for her AMI hel
people. And II ! am killed they won
even say We'll done, good AMI faith
full servant SO let's not argue thu